“Our aim in studying the Godhead must be to know God himself better. Our concern must be to enlarge our acquaintance, not simply with the doctrine of God’s attributes, but with the living God whose attributes they are.”
― J.I. Packer, Knowing God
When we talk about the attributes of God, we are referring to the characteristics that define who God is. These attributes help us understand God’s nature, how He relates to us, and why He is worthy of our worship. But how do we know what God is like? And why is it essential to study His attributes? Let’s explore these questions.
What Are the Attributes of God?
Different ways can be used to categorize God’s attributes, but a common approach is to distinguish between communicable and incommunicable attributes.
- Incommunicable Attributes – These are attributes that belong to God alone and are not shared with His creation.
- Eternality – God has no beginning and no end (Psalm 90:2).
- Immutability – God does not change (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17).
- Omnipotence – God is all-powerful (Jeremiah 32:17; Revelation 19:6).
- Omniscience – God knows all things (Psalm 147:5; Hebrews 4:13).
- Omnipresence – God is everywhere at all times (Psalm 139:7-10).
- Self-Existence – God depends on no one for His existence (Exodus 3:14; John 5:26).
- Communicable Attributes – These are attributes that God shares with humanity, though we reflect them imperfectly.
- Love – God is love, and we are called to love others (1 John 4:8, 16).
- Holiness – God is perfectly pure and calls us to be holy (Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16).
- Justice – God is righteous and expects us to act justly (Deuteronomy 32:4; Micah 6:8).
- Mercy – God is compassionate and forgiving (Exodus 34:6-7; Ephesians 2:4-5).
- Faithfulness – God is always faithful to His promises (Lamentations 3:22-23; 2 Timothy 2:13).
- Wisdom – God’s decisions are perfect, and He gives wisdom to those who seek Him (Romans 11:33; James 1:5).
These attributes are not separate parts of God but rather aspects of His unified, perfect nature. He is not sometimes loving and sometimes just—He is always fully loving, entirely just, fully wise, and so on.
How Do We Know God’s Attributes?
We know who God is because He has revealed Himself to us in three main ways:
- Through Creation (General Revelation)—The natural world declares God’s power, wisdom, and majesty (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20). When we see the complexity of life, the vastness of the universe, or the beauty of nature, we get a glimpse of God’s divine attributes.
- Through Scripture (Special Revelation) – The Bible is God’s direct revelation of Himself to us. Throughout Scripture, God describes His attributes and shows them through His actions (Exodus 34:6-7; John 17:3). The most straightforward way to know God’s character is to study His Word.
- Through Jesus Christ – Jesus is the exact representation of God (Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3). When we look at Christ—His love, mercy, justice, and holiness—we see who God truly is. Jesus declared, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
Why Are God’s Attributes Important?
Understanding God’s attributes is more than just an academic exercise—it shapes how we live and relate to Him. Here’s why it matters:
- They Deepen Our Worship – When we understand God’s greatness, our worship becomes more intimate and sincere. Recognizing His holiness and love moves us to praise Him with awe and gratitude (Psalm 145:3).
- They Strengthen Our Faith – Knowing that God is faithful, all-powerful, and all-knowing gives us confidence in Him, even in difficult times (Isaiah 26:3-4).
- They Shape Our Character – As image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:27), we are called to reflect His communicable attributes. We strive to be loving, just, merciful, and faithful because He is (Ephesians 5:1).
- They Give Us Hope – God’s immutability means He never changes (Malachi 3:6). His omnipotence means nothing is beyond His control (Jeremiah 32:17). No matter what happens in life, we can trust in His unshakable nature.
- They help us answer life’s Big Questions—why do we exist? What is our purpose? How should we live? God’s attributes provide a foundation for answering these questions with truth and assurance (Psalm 73:24-26, John 17:22,24; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 4:32; 1 Peter 1:16).
Conclusion
God’s attributes reveal who He is, how He acts, and how we should respond. He is eternal, all-powerful, just, loving, and unchanging, and He has made Himself known to us through creation, Scripture, and Jesus Christ.
Studying God’s attributes is not just about gaining knowledge—it’s about knowing God personally and growing in our relationship with Him. As we learn more about His character, may we be drawn into deeper worship, stronger faith, and transformed lives.
“We must seek, in studying God, to be led to God.”
― J.I. Packer, Knowing God
Which attribute of God speaks to you the most? Let me know in the comments!
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