Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of the incomprehensible power of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the divine nature and omnipotence of the Creator. God's power is beyond human understanding, transcending the limits of human reason and experience. This entry explores the biblical basis for the incomprehensibility of God's power, highlighting key scriptures and theological insights.
Biblical Foundations1.
Creation and Sustenance of the Universe: The Bible begins with a profound declaration of God's creative power.
Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." This act of creation ex nihilo (out of nothing) underscores the limitless power of God.
Psalm 33:6-9 further emphasizes this, "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth... For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm."
2.
God's Sovereignty and Control: God's power is not only creative but also sovereign. He governs the universe with absolute authority.
Isaiah 40:26 declares, "Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." This passage illustrates God's meticulous control over creation, highlighting His incomprehensible power.
3.
Miraculous Acts: Throughout the biblical narrative, God's power is demonstrated through miraculous acts that defy natural laws. The parting of the Red Sea (
Exodus 14:21-22), the stopping of the sun in
Joshua 10:12-14, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ (
Matthew 28:5-6) are just a few examples. These miracles serve as tangible manifestations of God's power, which surpasses human understanding.
4.
God's Omnipotence: The Bible frequently affirms God's omnipotence, the attribute of being all-powerful.
Job 42:2 states, "I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted." Similarly,
Jeremiah 32:17 proclaims, "Ah, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!"
5.
God's Power in Salvation: The power of God is also evident in His plan of salvation.
Romans 1:16 refers to the gospel as "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." This power is transformative, bringing spiritual life to those who are dead in sin (
Ephesians 2:1-5).
Theological InsightsThe incomprehensibility of God's power is a reminder of the Creator-creature distinction. Human beings, finite and limited, cannot fully grasp the infinite nature of God. This is echoed in
Isaiah 55:8-9, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."
The doctrine of God's incomprehensible power calls believers to a posture of humility and reverence. It invites worship and awe, recognizing that God's ways and purposes are beyond human scrutiny.
Romans 11:33-34 captures this sentiment: "O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?"
In summary, the incomprehensible power of God is a foundational truth that permeates Scripture, affirming His sovereignty, omnipotence, and the miraculous nature of His works. It challenges believers to trust in His divine wisdom and to worship Him with reverence and awe.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 26:14See, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?
Torrey's Topical TextbookEcclesiastes 3:11
He has made every thing beautiful in his time: also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
God Incomprehensible and Sovereign.
... LM God incomprehensible and sovereign. ... And swells, and snuffs the empty wind.]. God
is a King of power unknown,. Firm are the orders of his throne; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 170 god incomprehensible and.htm
God Incomprehensible and Sovereign.
... Hymn 2:170. God incomprehensible and sovereign. 1 Can creatures to perfection find
[1] Th' eternal uncreated mind? ... 4 God is a King of power unknown, Firm ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 201388889 god incomprehensible and.htm
God Incomprehensible.
... God Incomprehensible. ... high seraph's mighty thought, Who countless years his God has
sought ... mortal minds to know; While wisdom, goodness, power divine, Through ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/126 god incomprehensible.htm
Christ's Eternity Being Proved from the Apostle's Teaching, St. .. ...
... [1801] Of His right hand"confess His power. ... to be understood, when we speak of God,
as when ... The generation of the Son is incomprehensible, the Father begets ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter x christs eternity being.htm
Whether God is a Body
... Or as Dionysius says: "The depth of God means his incomprehensible essence, the
length the power which permeates all things, the breadth the extension of God ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/nature and grace/article one whether god is.htm
Sitting in Judgment Upon God.
... no one can know the mind or the work of the invisible and incomprehensible God,
unless He ... Hence I think it ridiculous when men judge of the power of God in ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter lviii sitting in judgment upon.htm
God, Although Incomprehensible, is ever to be Sought. The Traces ...
... in the inquiry itself into things incomprehensible, and becomes ... But if they were
astonished at their power and virtue ... Trinity which we seek when we seek God. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 2 god although incomprehensible is.htm
My God Will Hear Me
... Think of God in His infinite majesty, His altogether incomprehensible glory, His ...
The deeper our entrance into the truth of this wondrous power God hath given ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xii my god will.htm
Of the Soul, and it Given by God.
... from souls, because nothing can depart from a slight and incomprehensible subject ...
They are therefore senseless who detract this power from God, and assign ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap xix of the soul and.htm
Whether those who See the Essence of God Comprehend Him?
... the power to see Him always; and possessing Him, they enjoy Him as the ultimate
fulfilment of desire. Reply to Objection 2: God is called incomprehensible not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether those who see the.htm
Resources
What does the Bible say about the power of words? | GotQuestions.orgHow much power does Satan possess? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the power of prayer? | GotQuestions.orgPower: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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