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Character Traits of God in Scripture and Theology

The character of God, as revealed in Scripture, serves as the foundation for understanding divine nature and human responsibility. The Bible consistently presents God as possessing a range of attributes that define His being and actions, often serving as a standard for human conduct [3, 11].

One of the most prominent characteristics of God is His holiness. This attribute is not merely a moral quality but an essential aspect of His divine nature [3]. The Old Testament commands Israel to "be holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:45; 19:2), establishing God's holiness as the ultimate standard for His people [3]. The New Testament reiterates this, urging believers to be holy in all their conduct, just as God who called them is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16) [3]. Holiness is necessary for worshiping God (Psalm 24:3-4) and for seeing Him (Hebrews 12:14) [3]. Christ himself is described as holy, righteous, and spotless, serving as an example for believers [3, 6].

God's righteousness and justice are also frequently emphasized. The Lord's rule includes qualities such as strength, justice, love, fairness, and righteousness [7]. God's faithfulness to His promises is often expressed through terms like "mercy and truth" [10]. These attributes are integral to Israel's covenant with God, promising life and honor to those who obey His law [12]. Christ is depicted as righteous and just, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating these divine characteristics [6].

Mercy and goodness are central to God's character. He is described as ever showing mercy to humanity and keeping His covenant [9]. The goodness of God is a motive for devotion to Him [1]. Christ, too, is characterized by mercy [6]. The Psalms highlight God's word as displaying His character and power, including His goodness [13].

God's truthfulness and faithfulness are consistently affirmed. He is true, and His word is wonderful, testifying to His mind and will [6, 8]. The concept of "mercy and truth" often signifies God's faithfulness to His promises [10].

The Bible also describes God as powerful and great. His greatness is a motive for godly fear [4]. The Hebrew word for God, 'El, derives from a root meaning "to be strong," indicating His inherent power [5].

Beyond these, other characteristics of God include His wisdom, which is associated with the fear of the Lord [4]. He is the author of godly fear, and His holiness is a motive for it [4].

The character of Christ mirrors and exemplifies the character of God. Jesus is described as altogether lovely, holy, righteous, good, faithful, true, just, guileless, sinless, spotless, innocent, and harmless [6]. He resisted temptation and was obedient to God the Father, demonstrating zeal, meekness, and lowliness of heart [6]. These qualities in Christ serve as a standard for believers, who are called to be conformed to His image [3].

Human beings are called to reflect God's character through various virtues. Devotion to God, for instance, is a characteristic of saints, grounded in God's mercies, goodness, call, and the redemptive work of Christ [1]. This devotion should be unreserved and expressed through one's spirit, body, members, and substance [1]. Humility is another virtue necessary for serving God, with Christ as the ultimate example [2]. Those who possess humility are regarded, heard, and lifted up by God, receiving more grace and honor [2]. Godly fear, described as a hatred of evil and a fountain of life, is commanded and motivated by God's holiness, greatness, goodness, and forgiveness [4].

The existence of God and His attributes are taken for granted in the biblical narrative, rather than being argued for [5]. The revelation of God's character provides the moral framework and spiritual impetus for human life and worship.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Devotedness to God — A characteristic of saints -- Job 23:12. Christ, an example of -- Joh 4:34; 17:4. Grounded upon The mercies of God. -- Ro 12:1. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The call of God. -- 1Th 2:12. The death of Christ. -- 2Co 5:15. Our creation. -- Ps 86:9. Our preservation. -- Isa 46:4. Our redemption. -- 1Co 6:19,20. Should be With our spirit. -- 1Co 6:20; 1Pe 4:6. With our bodies. -- Ro 12:1; 1Co 6:20. With our members. -- Ro 6:12,13; 1Pe 4:2. With our substance. -- Ex 22:29; Pr 3:9. Unreserved. -- Mt 6:24; Lu 14:33. Abounding. -- 1Th 4:1. Persever”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, Character Of — Altogether lovely -- Song 5:16. Holy -- Lu 1:35; Ac 4:27; Re 3:7. Righteous -- Isa 53:11; Heb 1:9. Good -- Mt 19:16. Faithful -- Isa 11:5; 1Th 5:24. True -- Joh 1:14; 7:18; 1Jo 5:20. Just -- Zec 9:9; Joh 5:30; Ac 22:14. Guileless -- Isa 53:9; 1Pe 2:22. Sinless -- Joh 8:46; 2Co 5:21. Spotless -- 1Pe 1:19. Innocent -- Mt 27:4. Harmless -- Heb 7:26. Resisting temptation -- Mt 4:1-10. Obedient to God the Father -- Ps 40:8; Joh 4:34; 15:10. Zealous -- Lu 2:49; Joh 2:17; 8:29. Meek -- Isa 53:7; Zec 9:9; Mt 11:29. Lowly in heart -- Mt 11:29. Merciful ”
  7. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 99:4: 99:4 The qualities of the Lord’s rule include strength, justice, love, fairness, and righteousness (see 93:4; 97:2, 6-7, 12; 98:2-3, 9; 138:6).”
  8. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”
  9. Daniel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Daniel 9:4: Keeping the covenant - Fidelity and truth are characteristics of God. He had never yet broken his engagements to his followers, and was ever showing mercy to men.”
  10. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 3:3: mercy and truth--God's faithfulness to His promises is often expressed by these terms (Psa 25:10; Psa 57:3). As attributes of men, they express integrity in a wide sense (Pro 16:6; Pro 20:28). bind . . . write . . . heart--outwardly adorn and inwardly govern motives.”
  11. Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 23:7: 23:7 God’s character is the motive for righteous behavior (see 22:22-24, 27).”
  12. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 21:21: 21:21 Righteousness and unfailing love are character traits associated with Israel’s covenant with God (see Exod 34:5-7; Deut 7:9-11). The covenant promised life and honor to those who obeyed God’s law (Deut 28:1-14).”
  13. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 33:4: 33:4-7 God’s word displays his character and his power.”
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