Moral Perfection of God's Holiness in Scripture

The Moral Perfection of God's Holiness in Scripture

The concept of God's holiness is deeply rooted in Scripture, where it is described as a fundamental attribute of God's character. The biblical text emphasizes that God is holy and that this holiness is a perfection of His nature (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16) ^[4]. The Psalmist affirms that "perfect is the work of the mighty God: for all his ways are judgement. God is true, and without wickednesse: iust, and righteous is he" (Deuteronomy 32:4) ^[5].

The holiness of God is closely tied to His righteousness and justice. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, God's justice is "that perfection of his nature whereby he is infinitely righteous in himself and in all he does, the righteousness of the divine nature exercised in his moral government" ^[6]. This understanding highlights the intrinsic link between God's holiness and His moral governance of the world.

In the biblical text, the concept of perfection is also associated with God's character. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that perfection is a characteristic of God, citing Psalm 18:32 and 138:8 ^[1]. This perfection is not just a static attribute but is demonstrated in God's actions and interactions with His creation. For instance, the Psalmist praises God's law as "perfect" (Psalm 19:7), indicating its completeness and flawlessness ^[8].

The moral perfection of God's holiness is further reflected in the call to holiness addressed to God's people. The biblical text exhorts believers to be holy because God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16; Leviticus 11:45) ^[4]. This call to holiness is not merely an imitation of God's character but is rooted in the understanding that believers are consecrated to God's service and are being conformed to His will (Romans 6:19, 22; Ephesians 1:4) ^[2].

The pursuit of moral excellence is a key aspect of the Christian life, as emphasized in 2 Peter 1:5, where believers are encouraged to "add on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence" ^[3]. This moral excellence is not achieved through human effort alone but is facilitated by the work of Christ, who is described as the "author and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:2) ^[7].

Different Christian traditions interpret the concept of moral perfection and holiness in various ways. For instance, the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentary, emphasizes the purity and faithfulness of God's word and the importance of righteousness in God's nature and actions ^{[9, 11]}. The Presbyterian tradition, as seen in the commentary by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, highlights God's perfections of love, mercy, goodness, and truth in pardoning sin ^[10].

The biblical concept of God's holiness and moral perfection is thus multifaceted, encompassing both the intrinsic character of God and the call to holiness addressed to believers. It underscores the importance of righteousness, justice, and moral excellence in the Christian life, with Christ being the ultimate model and enabler of this pursuit.

The understanding of God's holiness as a moral perfection has significant implications for the Christian understanding of God's nature and His relationship with humanity. It emphasizes God's commitment to righteousness and justice, providing a foundation for trust and obedience.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Perfection — Is of God -- Ps 18:32; 138:8. All saints have, in Christ -- 1Co 2:6; Php 3:15; Col 2:10. God's perfection the standard of -- Mt 5:48. Implies Entire devotedness. -- Mt 19:21. Purity and holiness in speech. -- Jas 3:2. Saints commanded to aim at -- Ge 17:1; De 18:13. Saints claim not -- Job 9:20; Php 3:12. Saints follow after -- Pr 4:18; Php 3:12. Ministers appointed to lead saints to -- Eph 4:12; Col 1:28. Exhortation to -- 2Co 7:1; 13:11. Impossibility of attaining to -- 2Ch 6:36; Ps 119:96. The word of God is The rule of. -- Jas 1:25. Designed to lead ”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Holiness — In the highest sense belongs to God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom. 6:19, 22; Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:23, 24). (See [280]SANCTIFICATION.)”
2 Peter “Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge; -- 2 Peter 1:5”
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. ”
Deuteronomy “Deuteronomy 32:4 (Geneva1599) — Perfect is the worke of the mighty God: for all his wayes are iudgement. God is true, and without wickednesse: iust, and righteous is he.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Justice of God — That perfection of his nature whereby he is infinitely righteous in himself and in all he does, the righteousness of the divine nature exercised in his moral government. At first God imposes righteous laws on his creatures and executes them righteously. Justice is not an optional product of his will, but an unchangeable principle of his very nature. His legislative justice is his requiring of his rational creatures conformity in all respects to the moral law. His rectoral or distributive justice is his dealing with his accountable creatures according”
Hebrews “looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -- Hebrews 12:2”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 19:6: The law of the Lord is perfect,.... By which is meant, not the law of Moses, or the ten commandments, but the "doctrine" of the Lord; as the word "torah", signifies, even the whole word of God, as in Isa 8:20. All the Scriptures of truth, which are profitable for doctrine; for setting doctrine in a clear light, and for the vindication and establishment of it, and are the rule of doctrine both to preachers and hearers; and which are "perfect", contain the whole mind and will of God, both with respect to faith and practice; whereby the man of God is made perfect, and th”
Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 30:5: Every word of God is pure,.... The whole word of God. "All Scripture", given by inspiration of God, to which Agur directs, as giving the best account of God, of his name, nature, and perfections; of his Son, person, offices, and grace; being pure, very pure, "purified" (z) like silver, purified in a furnace of earth. The whole of Scripture is pure, free from all falsehood and error; coming from the God of truth, who cannot lie, and therefore called "the Scriptures of truth": every promise is pure as well as precious, made without dissimulation, faithfully performed,”
Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 25:11: God's perfections of love, mercy, goodness, and truth are manifested (his name, compare Psa 9:10) in pardoning sin, and the greatness of sin renders pardon more needed.”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:134: Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous,.... The Scriptures are holy, just, and good; and what is contained in them are according to godliness; are for instruction in righteousness, and teach men to live soberly, righteously, and godly; and very faithful; or "true" (u): all the sayings in them are true and faithful sayings; for they are the sayings of God that cannot lie; the promises in them are faithfully performed by him that made them; they are all yea and amen in Christ. The words may be rendered, "thou hast commanded righteousness in thy test”

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