(lessons 104-107 are taken largely from Wayne Grudem’s Bible Doctrine published in 1999 by Zondervan.)
Whereas the “incommunicable” attributes of God are outside of our experience, the communicable attributes of God’s nature and character can be experienced or shared by us to some degree. The Bible tells us that we are to imitate God (Ephesians 5:1), which is made possible through the spiritual transformation process whereby the Holy Spirit imparts to us experientially the character of God, called the fruit of the Spirit.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NASB95) For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; Romans 8:29 (NASB95)
God’s communicable attributes can be categorized as follows:
Attributes of God’s Being
- Spirituality
- Invisibility
Mental Attributes
- Knowledge
- Wisdom
- Truthfulness
Moral Attributes
- Goodness
- Love
- Holiness
- Righteousness or Justice
- Jealousy
- Wrath
Attributes of Purpose
- Will
- Omnipotence
Summary Attributes
- Perfection
- Blessedness
- Beauty (Grudem, pp.85-86)
Spirituality
This attribute signifies that God is a spirit and lives on a higher plane of existence than the finite physical world which he created.
“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 (NASB95) By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3 (NASB95)
When he created Adam, he made him out of the physical world (dust) and put within him a spirit. He thus became what the Bible calls a living soul.
Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being [soul]. Genesis 2:7 (NASB95)
It appears that when Adam sinned, his spirit “died” within him, cutting him off from God’s eternal life. Jesus came to restore us spiritually through the new birth, whereby the spirit is recreated.
So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. 47 The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly. 1 Corinthians 15:45–49 (NASB95) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
We share in God’s spirituality because we have become one with him in the spirit.
But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV)
This recreation of man through Christ will be culminated at the resurrection when our entire being will be restored into a glorious new spiritual reality that presently is past our comprehension.
Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:50–52 (NASB95) So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:42–44 (NKJV)
After we are resurrected, we will share God’s spirituality in every area of our being – body, soul, and spirit – having received a spiritual body.
Invisibility
Because God is a spirit, he is not visible to our eyes.
He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Colossians 1:15 (NASB95) Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17 (NASB95) He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen. 1 Timothy 6:16 (NLT)
However, we can observe partial manifestations of God. These are called “theophanies” or appearances of God. Jesus, when he walked on the earth, was the most perfect representation of the invisible God.
And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power… Hebrews 1:3a (NASB95)
John wrote that Jesus made the invisible God known to us.
No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. John 1:18 (NASB95)
However, we have the promise that, after we are resurrected, we will see him as he is.
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 1 John 3:2 (NASB95)
We learn from the above verse that we share in God’s invisibility in that who we are spiritually in Christ is not yet visible to us, but one day it will be.
Knowledge or Omniscience
God is omniscient in that he always has all knowledge of all things. In other words, his knowledge is “perfect.” (Job 37:16)
Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:20 (NLT)
God fully knows himself and everything about his creatures and creation.
For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10–11 (NASB95) And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:13 (NASB95)
He even knows what is possible, even though it never takes place. (Matthew 11:21 and 2 Kings 13:19) God knows all things at once. He sees the end from the beginning.
Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’; Isaiah 46:10 (NASB95)
We share this attribute with God in a limited fashion. He gives us knowledge and even shares his ability to foresee the future and hidden things through the gifts of prophecy and words of knowledge.
One day we will know as we are known.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NASB95)
Wisdom
God always wisely chooses the best course of action and the best means to reach those ends. Paul perhaps gives us the greatest declaration of God’s wisdom in the Bible.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28–30 (NASB95)
In his foreknowledge and wisdom, combined with his sovereign power, God works out everything for our good and his glory. Paul identified him as the “only wise God.” (Romans 16:27) Evil may be cunning, but it is never wise. Only God is wise. This is affirmed by his amazingly intricate creation.
We can share in God’s wisdom by asking for it.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 (NASB95)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Psalm 111:10 and Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10) When we stand in awe of God, we will lean on his wisdom instead of our own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6) It is wise to seek God and to trust God. Those times when life is confusing to us, we must choose to trust that God in his wisdom is working things for our good.
Truthfulness or Faithfulness
God defines truth because all his words are true. Jesus said that his Father is the “only true God.” (John 17:3) Jesus called himself the “Truth.” (John 14:6) God is looking for faithfulness in his creatures, which is a highly regarded fruit of the Spirit.
Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? Proverbs 20:6 (NKJV)
Godless people have no standard for truth, but we who believe have God’s Word as the gold standard. God’s faithfulness, a corollary of his truthfulness, means that he will always do what he says. (Numbers 23:19)
God wants us to share in this attribute of truth and faithfulness. The first step is loving truth.
He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 11 So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. 12 Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12 (NLT)
Those who love the truth will pursue God and his truth.
So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31–32 (NASB95)
God is working in his people to make us lovers of truth and truth tellers.
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. Psalm 51:6 (NASB95)
Goodness
God is the final standard of what is good. All he does is worthy of approval. (Grudem, p.90)
And Jesus said to him, “…No one is good except God alone.” Luke 18:19 (NASB95) For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:5 (NASB95) God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Genesis 1:31 (NASB95) Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17 (NASB95)
Mercy and grace are closely related to God’s goodness. Both are given to us when we do not deserve them, out of the goodness of God’s heart.
The Lord wants us to participate in his goodness by how we love others.
Love
The Bible tells us that God is love. (1 John 4:8) The love usually associated with God is called agape in Greek, which is sacrificial in nature. God’s love existed before he created the world since it describes the relationship between the members of the triune God. Jesus spoke of this love in John’s gospel.
“Father, … You loved Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24 (NASB95) but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here. John 14:31 (NASB95)
God extended his love toward us when he sent Jesus to die for our sins and restore us to a right relationship with him.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB95) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NASB95)
God wants us to imitate his love by returning love to him and extending that love toward other people, even our enemies.
And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 “This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37–39 (NASB95) But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27–28 (NASB95)
This is all possible because God first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
Holiness
Holiness means to be set apart. We are set apart for God and for his purposes. This means we are also set apart from sin and everything that works against our being set apart to God. Holiness is closely related to the fear of the Lord.
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NASB95)
We are to be holy because God is holy. (Leviticus 19:2) He is wholly separated to his purposes and glory and from sin.
God disciplines us to share in his holiness. (Hebrews 12:10)
As we devote ourselves to holiness, we are promised that we will grow in our revelation of God. (Hebrews 12:14, Matthew 5:8)
Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 (NKJV)
Righteousness or Justice
Righteousness means that God always acts in accordance with and is the final standard of what is right. (Grudem, p.93) Justice and righteousness are very similar.
The Rock! His work is perfect [complete], For all His ways are just [mishpat – judgment]; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous [tsaddiq – innocent, blameless, just, righteous] and upright is He. Deuteronomy 32:4 (NASB95)
Whatever conforms to God’s moral character is what is right or just. That is why, without God, there is no standard of right and wrong. When we observe God’s acts, we should resist any temptation to criticize him, thinking he has been unjust or unfair in some way. This is to malign and blaspheme God. God does not always explain his actions; so, we must hold fast our commitment to regard him as being just even when things do not make sense to us. If we find ourselves in a difficult situation that makes us question why God would allow such a thing to happen to us, it would be wise to ask God to reveal to us what he is doing in our lives so we can try to fully cooperate in the process rather than resisting it. When Jesus allowed Lazarus to die in John Chapter 11, he did so because he planned to raise him from the dead, something incomprehensible to him or his sisters.
God’s justice was revealed at Calvary. He could not forgive our sins unless the just penalty was paid on our behalf. If we are tempted to feel sorry for ourselves, it is good to remember what Jesus endured on our behalf. Since Jesus took the penalty for our sin and guilt, God retained his justice while at the same time justifying us.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:23–26 (NASB95)
God wants us to share in his righteousness through the ongoing process of transformation. The righteousness that God imputes to us through justification is meant to be imparted experientially.
Jealousy
When people are jealous, it is usually negative and connected with an attempt to selfishly control someone. There is a godly jealousy, too. God describes himself as being jealous.
You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. Deuteronomy 5:9 (NLT)
God is not selfish, since agape love is always focused on the other. Paul felt such jealousy for God’s people in the church in Corinth.
For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2–3 (NASB95)
God always deserves our honor; therefore, it is never wrong for him to be jealous for it. In addition, when we fail to honor God, it hurts us. So, God has two reasons to jealously protect us from false gods. Godly jealousy has God’s honor and the well-being of the other person in the forefront.
God wants us to share in his jealousy by hating sin and loving him and other people.
Examples of people sharing in God’s jealousy are Phinehas in the Old Testament (Numbers 25:11) and Paul in the new (2 Corinthians 11:2-3).
Wrath
God’s wrath means that he intensely hates all sin, which opposes his lordship and character and destroys the sinner. The Old Covenant Israelites frequently incited God to wrath by their flagrant idolatry and rebellion, but God’s wrath is present in the New Covenant, too. God’s intense wrath against sin fell upon Jesus at Calvary because he took our sin upon himself. It is impossible to understand the significance of Jesus’ sacrificial death unless we understand God’s intense hatred for sin.
The gospel is the announcement that God is willing to forgive our gross rebellion against his rule if we will simply believe the gospel and declare allegiance to Jesus the Lord. Those who refuse to do so, however, will eventually encounter God’s wrath.
“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36 (NASB95)
This means that everyone in the world lives under the threat of encountering God’s wrath on judgment day. The only escape is through believing the gospel.
Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), Ephesians 2:3–5 (NASB95)
When we place our faith in the crucified and risen one, Jesus, we will be delivered from the wrath that is surely coming to those who reject the gospel.
For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10 (NASB95)
The delay of God’s coming wrath is due to his patience in giving time for more people to repent to escape encountering his judgment.
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NASB95)
God wants us to understand and embody his wrath by hating sin and the devil.
The psalmist wrote about this in Psalm 139.
Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies. Psalm 139:21–22 (NKJV)
Jesus commanded us to love our human enemies, however, and pray for them.
Will or Sovereignty
God’s will is that attribute of God whereby he approves and determines to bring about every action necessary for the existence and activity of himself and all creation. It is the ultimate reason for everything that takes place. (Grudem, p.95)
… having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, Ephesians 1:11b (NASB95)
Creation itself originated and is sustained by God’s sovereign will.
“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” Revelation 4:11 (NASB95)
Even Christ’s death was ordained by God’s sovereign will.
For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. Acts 4:27–28 (NASB95)
God is never the author or originator of evil, but he allows evil to operate within the parameters set by his sovereign will. He works all things, even evil, for the good of his elect and for his glory.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NASB95) What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? 23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, Romans 9:22–23 (NASB95)
God has a revealed will and a secret will.
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29 (NASB95)
The revealed will of God is made known to us so that we can obey him and know the path he wishes us to take. The secret will of God involves those things which he decreed but has not made known to us. In these matters, we must trust in the goodness and love that accompany his sovereign rule.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5–6 (NASB95)
We only discover God’s secret will as events unfold. An example of this is how God transformed what Joseph’s brothers meant for evil into something good and salvational.
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. Genesis 50:20 (NASB95)
God foretold via dreams that Joseph would be elevated to a place of honor, but how he did it was unknown until it took place. It was a most surprising end to what appeared to be years of suffering and futility as Joseph endured being betrayed, sold into slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned, and forgotten. Nevertheless, God turned it all around and fulfilled his purposes for Joseph and all Israel.
God’s revealed will is that he wants all men to be saved.
This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3–4 (NASB95)
However, he may choose to hide truth from some but reveal it to others.
At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. 26 “Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. Matthew 11:25–26 (NASB95)
Nevertheless, we are responsible agents who will be judged for our choices and actions. God’s sovereignty and our responsibility are not mutually exclusive, although we may not always understand how the two interact.
God’s sovereign will allows him to have complete freedom to do all that he pleases. He is not under any form of restraint, except what exists by reason of his own character.
But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. Psalm 115:3 (NASB95) All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’ Daniel 4:35 (NASB95)
God wants us to share this attribute by coming into alignment with his sovereign will.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 (NASB95)
Omnipotence
Omnipotence means that God has the power to accomplish all his desires. Nothing is too difficult for God.
Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, Jeremiah 32:17 (NASB95) And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NASB95)
God’s will would not be sovereign if he were not omnipotent. The only factor that limits God’s actions is his character. He will always act in agreement with his character. We “tap into” God’s omnipotence when we acknowledge and worship him in all situations, knowing that he is working them omnipotently for our good and his glory.
We can participate in his omnipotence when he enables us through faith to accomplish what would otherwise be impossible to us.
Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. 24 “Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Mark 11:23–24 (NASB95)
Perfection
Perfection means that God completely possesses all excellent qualities and lacks nothing that would be desirable for him. (Grudem, p.99)
Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48 (NASB95) Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17 (NASB95)
Those who are born again share in God’s perfection in the spirit. This is called justification. God intends for us to experientially share in his perfection through the transformation process and the resurrection.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Philippians 3:20–21 (NASB95)
Blessedness
Blessedness means that God delights fully in himself and in all that reflects his character. (Grudem, p. 99)
God is perfectly happy and has fulness of joy in himself, a joy that he shares with us as we give ourselves to him.
…He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. 1 Timothy 6:15b–16 (NASB95) You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11 (NASB95)
God takes pleasure in all he made because it reflects his glory.
God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Genesis 1:31 (NASB95)
God’s goodness and power are revealed through his creation so that we will choose to glorify him.
But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Romans 1:18–21 (NLT)
We find our greatest blessedness in glorifying God. Conversely, refusing to do so keeps us in darkness and sin and prohibits our enjoyment of God.
Beauty
God’s beauty means that he is the sum of all desirable qualities. (Grudem, p.100)
One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple. Psalm 27:4 (NASB95)
As we behold God’s beauty, grace transforms us to share in it.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NASB95)
