The Attributes of God: Knowing Who He Is According to His Word

ByMyrna Mirelix Updated

Most Christians in one way or another say we long to know God better, but the reality is we don’t always know how to do it. One of the ways to accomplish this is by studying what we call the attributes of God, the descriptions we see in Scripture that reveal His character.

This lesson is a brief introduction to some of the most well-known attributes of God. You’ll be able to find more exhaustive lists, but my intention is to give you a foundation so your knowledge of God, and therefore your devotion to Him, may grow. We’ll be adding more specific studies in the future, so I recommend saving this article for reference.

What are the attributes of God?

When we speak of God’s attributes, we refer to the perfections of His being that He Himself has revealed in the Bible. These are not “parts” of God, but ways we come to know who He is.

We take time to study and learn these attributes because we must know our Creator better—doing so is for our good. It strengthens us in the faith we have and in the object of our faith.

J.I. Packer says in his book Knowing God, “Ignorance of God—ignorance both of his ways and of the practice of communion with him—lies at the root of much of the church’s weakness today.”

To be strengthened in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10), we need to know our Lord. God Himself exhorts us that our glory, what we should most desire, guard, and possess, is knowing Him.

But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:24

What are God’s attributes according to the Bible?

Scripture doesn’t present us with an official list of God’s attributes, but on every page we see glimpses of His character. From Genesis, where His power creates everything from nothing, to Revelation, where His holiness and justice are fully manifested. God has revealed Himself in many ways, with His greatest expression being Jesus incarnate (Ephesians 1:22-23).

How do we classify God’s attributes?

Theologians throughout the years have classified the attributes into two categories to help us study and understand them better: incommunicable and communicable.

Incommunicable Attributes: These belong to God alone, highlighting His greatness and majesty. They also definitively show us the difference between God and ourselves.

Communicable Attributes: These are partially reflected in us because we were created in His image. It’s important to emphasize that while we share these attributes, in God they are perfect, while in us they are limited and marked by sin. We’ll see glimpses of them in our lives and in others, but not as they appear in God.

This classification reminds us that God is unique, but also shows us the care with which we were created and designed to bear His image. Just as we physically resemble our parents and grandparents, we also resemble our Heavenly Father in the attributes of our character.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Genesis 1:26

The Incommunicable Attributes of God

This first classification refers to attributes that belong only to God. Knowing these attributes helps us maintain a correct understanding of who God is.

Self-Existence (Aseity)

Aseity or self-existence means that God exists by Himself and in Himself. He doesn’t depend on anyone or anything to exist, because He is the source of all life. Unlike us, who need food, air, rest, and companionship, God has no needs. This shows us that He is absolutely independent and completely sufficient.

For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.

John 5:26

Eternity

God’s eternity means He is not limited by time, since He is the creator of time. God has no beginning or end. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He has always existed and always will exist. We live within a temporal framework of past, present, and future, but for God everything is before His eyes in an eternal present.

Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Psalm 90:2

Immutability

Immutability means that God does not change in His being. His attributes, His character, and His promises remain firm, without variation or shadow of change. In a world where everything transforms and nothing remains, we can trust that our God is a sure rock. What He has promised, He will fulfill, and what He has decreed will not fail.

For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

Malachi 3:6

Omnipresence

Omnipresence means that God fills heaven and earth, that He is present everywhere. There is no corner where we can hide from His presence, nor a place so distant that He cannot reach us. This truth brings comfort because even in solitude we are never alone. But it also brings reverence because all our moments are before Him.

Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?

Psalm 139:7

Omniscience

Omniscience means that God perfectly knows all things: whether past, present, or future, as well as the deepest thoughts and motivations of our hearts. Nothing is hidden from Him; nothing escapes His knowledge. This truth leads us to trust in His perfect wisdom and rest in knowing He knows what is best for us.

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4:13

Omnipotence

Omnipotence means that God has all power to do everything that conforms to His will. Nothing is too difficult or complicated for Him. His power doesn’t diminish with time, nor does it need to be recharged; it is always total. This truth strengthens our faith because we know that He who sustains us is able to work beyond what we ask or understand.

 Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?

Jeremiah 32:27

The Communicable Attributes of God

Among God’s attributes are those that have been communicated to us—shared with us in a limited way. Since we were created in His image and likeness, we have characteristics of His in our nature.

Holiness

God’s holiness means He is completely pure and set apart from sin. His character is perfect and deserves worship because everything He does is in absolute conformity with His perfect nature. God’s holiness in us is the constant call to live set-apart lives, reflecting His purity and reverence in our daily conduct.

And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”

Isaiah 6:3

Love

God is love in His essence; His love doesn’t depend on our actions or qualities. He gives Himself for the welfare of His creation and especially for His people. His love allows us to trust, rest, and worship Him, knowing that nothing can separate us from Him.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:8

Justice/Righteousness

God always acts with equity and according to His moral character. His judgments are correct and His treatment of sin is just. Understanding God’s justice helps us live with integrity and depend on His grace, knowing that all wrong will be corrected.

For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.

Psalm 11:7

Faithfulness

God never fails; He always keeps His word and His promises. His faithfulness gives us security and confidence because we know we can depend on Him at all times. This characteristic invites us to rely on His constancy amid changes and difficulties.

if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

2 Timothy 2:13

Why is it important to know God’s attributes?

Knowing God’s attributes gives us confidence, peace, and direction. It reminds us that we don’t follow a god invented by us, but the living and true God. His attributes lead us to worship Him, obey Him, and rest in His faithfulness.

They remind us of the limitations of our nature, which should exalt His majesty even more. By knowing these attributes, we draw closer to God and rest in who He truly is.

cshow

More Resources

God’s attributes transform us

Knowing God’s attributes is not merely an intellectual exercise, it’s a call to understand His nature more deeply, worship Him for who He is, and live in response to His character. As we meditate on the truths of His character through Scripture, our minds and actions are transformed.

What attribute of God has been impacting your life most in this season? How has your life changed because of it?

Take time to meditate on one of them, and it is my prayer that in doing so you may enjoy the freedom we have in our wonderful God.

Leave a Reply