God is described in the Bible as having both communicable and incommunicable attributes. Communicable attributes are those that God shares or “communicates” with us. Incommunicable attributes are those that belong to God alone and make Him distinct from His creation.
Some of God’s communicable attributes include:
- Love – God is loving, and He shares His love with us (1 John 4:8).
- Mercy – God is merciful, and He shows mercy to us (Ephesians 2:4).
- Wisdom – God is all-wise, and He gives wisdom to us (Proverbs 2:6).
- Justice – God is just, and He calls us to be just (Psalm 89:14).
- Goodness – God is good, and He does good to us (Psalm 119:68).
Some of the key incommunicable attributes of God include:
- Independence – God does not need anything or anyone else; He is self-existent (John 5:26).
- Immutability – God does not change; He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Malachi 3:6).
- Eternality – God has no beginning or end; He has always existed and will always exist (Psalm 90:2).
- Omnipresence – God is present everywhere all at once (Jeremiah 23:24).
- Omniscience – God has perfect knowledge of all things past, present and future (Psalm 139:1-6).
- Omnipotence – God is all-powerful; nothing is too difficult for Him (Jeremiah 32:17).
- Sovereignty – God reigns supremely over everything; His will cannot be thwarted (Psalm 115:3).
God’s communicable attributes demonstrate that although God is far above us, He chooses to relate to us and share aspects of His character with us. This allows us to have a relationship with Him. God’s incommunicable attributes show that He is still wholly other – there are parts of who He is that we as finite creatures will never fully grasp.
The fact that God is loving comes across clearly in verses like 1 John 4:8 which says “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” This communicable attribute means that God deeply cares for us and seeks intimacy with us. He demonstrated His love by sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins (Romans 5:8). As humans made in God’s image, we have the capacity to love and care for others, reflecting God’s communicable attribute of love.
Mercy is another communicable attribute where God models for us how we should treat others. Ephesians 2:4-5 states “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” We did not deserve God’s mercy and grace, but He showed it to us anyway. As people who have received God’s mercy, we are called to extend mercy to others, even when it is undeserved (Luke 6:36).
The wisdom of God far surpasses any human wisdom (Isaiah 55:8-9). Yet James 1:5 encourages us that “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” As finite creatures, we only have a limited grasp of true wisdom. But God is willing to share wisdom with any who ask and seek after Him. Wisdom from God helps us make wise, God-glorifying choices in life rather than foolish ones.
God’s perfect justice and hatred of sin is demonstrated throughout the Bible. Deuteronomy 32:4 declares “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” God calls His people to model justice and avoid partiality as we deal with others (Leviticus 19:15). The more our sense of justice lines up with God’s, the more we are reflecting His communicable attribute of perfect justice in our human sphere.
The goodness of God means He always does what is right, noble, and praiseworthy. Psalm 119:68 says “You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.” God’s ultimate demonstration of goodness was sacrificing His Son for our salvation. As those made to reflect God’s image, we are called to mirror His goodness through our words and actions each day. Our good deeds give glory to God (Matthew 5:16).
While attributes like love, mercy, wisdom, justice, and goodness help us relate to and understand God better, His incommunicable attributes emphasize how He is still infinitely far above us. No human will ever possess these unique attributes that set God apart from all of creation.
God’s independence or self-existence means He does not rely on anyone or anything for life, power, wisdom, joy or anything else (Acts 17:24-25). All things come from Him, yet He depends on nothing. Humans, conversely, are finite creatures who rely on God our Creator for our very next breath (Psalm 139:13-14). Recognizing God’s eternal self-existence should lead us to awe, gratitude, and worship.
The fact that God does not change in His character or promises is a source of great comfort. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” No matter how unstable the world seems, God remains steadfast. His plans cannot be thwarted or altered. When the unchanging God makes us a promise, we can take it to the bank. Unlike shifting human beings, God will always be true to His word.
Only God is eternal, having no beginning and no end (Psalm 90:2). He exists outside of time, unbound by its limitations. There was never a time when God did not exist, nor will there be a time when His existence ends. Such eternal existence is impossible for us to fully comprehend. But meditating on God’s eternality fills us with awe and reminds us of the eternity He has set in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
Omnipresence sets God apart as the only being who exists everywhere fully and simultaneously. Jeremiah 23:24 asks rhetorically, “Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.” There is no location in creation where God’s presence does not dwell in its fullness. Such perpetual presence is hard for us to grasp as humans confined to one place at one time.
Omniscience means God has perfect knowledge of everything that has happened, is happening, or will happen. Psalm 139:1-6 beautifully describes God’s all-encompassing knowledge saying He perceives all our ways, is familiar with all our paths, knows what we will say before we say it, understands all our thoughts, and sees when we sit and rise. Such intimate knowledge of everything across all time is solely the realm of God. We as humans only know tiny snippets of information for brief moments.
God’s almighty power has no limits or constraints. Jeremiah 32:17 declares “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Any miracle is possible for God – from parting the Red Sea to raising the dead. God’s power combined with His other perfect attributes ensures He will victoriously accomplish His sovereign plan for creation. Our limited human strength cannot begin to approach God’s limitless omnipotence.
Sovereignty means God reigns supreme over everything and everyone. His will cannot be thwarted or overturned (Isaiah 14:27). God directs the course of history down to intricate details according to His good purposes and perfect plan. Even the sinful choices of mankind cannot derail God’s sovereignty. Recognizing this attribute prompts us to submit our lives fully to His wise rule and trust Him even when life feels out of control.
These are just some of the key communicable and incommunicable attributes the Bible reveals about God. Studying these attributes enlarges our view of who God is. It deepens our awe, gratitude, and desire to obey Him. God’s communicable attributes show how He wants to relate to us and reflect His glory through us. God’s incommunicable attributes inspire worship of the One who transcends all limits and contains all perfections. What an amazing, beautiful, and gloriously holy God we serve!