The Attributes of God: Omnipotence

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Omnipotence (Power, Sovereignty)

Definition: God’s omnipotence means that God is able to do all his holy will.

The word omnipotence is derived from two Latin words, omni, “all,” and potens, “powerful,” and means “all-powerful.” … God’s omnipotence has reference to his own power to do what he decides to do.

God is Almighty (Genesis 17:1; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Revelation 1:8)

Genesis 17:1 BSB

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless.

2 Corinthians 6:18 BSB

18 And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Revelation 1:8 BSB

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and was and is to come—the Almighty.

This name / attribute of God (“Almighty”) is mentioned 58 times in Scripture (31 times in Job).

What do you think this word tells us about the nature of God?

Nothing is too hard for God (Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Luke 1:37; Matthew 19:26)

Genesis 18:14 BSB

14 Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”

Jeremiah 32:17 BSB

17 “Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!

Jeremiah 32:27 BSB

27 “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?

Luke 1:37 BSB

37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

Matthew 19:26 BSB

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

God’s power is beyond our imagination (Ephesians 3:20-21; Psalm 145:3)

Psalm 145:3 BSB

3 Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable.

Ephesians 3:20–21 BSB

20 Now to Him who is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

God is able to do more than he actually does (Matthew 3:9)

Matthew 3:9 BSB

9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

Consider Jesus on the Cross: couldn’t He have gotten down off the cross if He wanted to?

Matthew 27:39–43 BSB

39 And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” 41 In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, 42 “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”

When he was being arrested in the Garden, he says to his disciples,

Matthew 26:53 BSB

53 Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

Is there anything that God cannot do? (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18; 2 Timothy 2:13; James 1:13)

Titus 1:2 BSB

2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.

Hebrews 6:18 BSB

18 Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.

2 Timothy 2:13 BSB

13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

James 1:13 BSB

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.

How should the power of God change the way we think about our life and circumstances?

We should trust Him!

In what ways can we imitate the power of God?

God’s original purpose in creation was that Adam would rule over creation (Gen. 1:28). As believers, God is restoring the image which was marred by the Fall into sin, so we gradually reflect the glory of His rule over creation by caring for the earth and exercising dominion over the things He’s given us.

[1]Grudem, W. (2020). Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Second Edition, pp. 258–260). Zondervan Academic.