Attributes of God (Handout)

Incommunicable Attributes

Attributes unique to God and not shared with humans.

1. Aseity (Self-existence)

Exodus 3:14 – God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”

John 5:26 – For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he has granted to the Son to have life in himself.

Acts 17:25 – He himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.

2. Immutability

Malachi 3:6 – “Because I, the LORD, have not changed, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.”

Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

James 1:17 – Every good and perfect gift is from above... with whom there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.

3. Eternity

Psalm 90:2 – From eternity to eternity, you are God.

Isaiah 57:15 – For the High and Exalted One, who lives forever...

Revelation 1:8 – I am the Alpha and the Omega... who is, who was, and who is to come.

4. Omnipresence

Psalm 139:7–10 – Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

Jeremiah 23:24 – “Can a person hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” — the LORD’s declaration.

Proverbs 15:3 – The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good.

5. Omniscience

Psalm 147:5 – Our Lord is great, vast in power; his understanding is infinite.

Hebrews 4:13 – No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him...

1 John 3:20 – ...God is greater than our hearts, and he knows all things.

6. Omnipotence

Jeremiah 32:17 – Oh, Lord GOD! You yourself made the heavens and earth... nothing is too difficult for you!

Revelation 19:6 – ...because our Lord God, the Almighty, reigns!

Genesis 18:14 – Is anything impossible for the LORD?

7. Sovereignty

Daniel 4:35 – He does what he wants with the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth.

Ephesians 1:11 – ...according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will.

Proverbs 19:21 – Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the LORD’s decree will prevail.

8. Incomprehensibility

Isaiah 55:8–9 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” declares the LORD.

Romans 11:33 – Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God!

Job 11:7 – Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?

Communicable Attributes

Attributes that humans can reflect in limited ways.

1. Holiness

Leviticus 19:2 – “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.”

1 Peter 1:15–16 – ...you also are to be holy in all your conduct.

Isaiah 6:3 – Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Armies; his glory fills the whole earth.

2. Love

1 John 4:8 – The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

John 3:16 – For God loved the world in this way...

Romans 5:8 – But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

3. Mercy

Titus 3:5 – He saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy.

Psalm 103:8 – The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love.

Luke 6:36 – Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

4. Grace

Ephesians 2:8–9 – For you are saved by grace through faith...

Romans 3:24 – They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”

5. Justice

Deuteronomy 32:4 – All his ways are just. A faithful God, without bias.

Isaiah 30:18 – For the LORD is a just God.

Psalm 89:14 – Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne...

6. Goodness

Psalm 34:8 – Taste and see that the LORD is good.

Nahum 1:7 – The LORD is good, a stronghold in a day of distress.

Psalm 100:5 – For the LORD is good; his faithful love endures forever...

7. Truthfulness

John 17:17 – Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Numbers 23:19 – God is not a man, that he might lie...

Titus 1:2 – ...in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.

8. Faithfulness

Lamentations 3:22–23 – ...his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!

2 Timothy 2:13 – ...he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

1 Corinthians 1:9 – God is faithful; you were called by him into fellowship with his Son...

9. Wisdom

James 1:5 – Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God...

Romans 16:27 – ...to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ...

Proverbs 3:19 – The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.

10. Patience

2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord does not delay his promise... but is patient with you.

Romans 2:4 – Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience...?

Exodus 34:6 – The LORD is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth.