God's Omniscience and Omnipotence in Scripture Explained

God's Omniscience and Omnipotence in Scripture

The biblical concept of God's omniscience and omnipotence is rooted in various passages that describe His all-knowing and all-powerful nature. According to Psalm 147:5, "Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite" ^[5]. This verse highlights God's infinite understanding and mighty power, establishing a foundation for understanding His omniscience and omnipotence.

The Bible describes God's omniscience as an attribute that enables Him to know everything, past, present, and future. In Psalm 139, David reflects on God's omniscience, stating that God knows his thoughts, actions, and even his words before he speaks them (Psalm 139:1-6) ^[7]. This psalm confirms that God's knowledge is infinite and not limited by time or space. one commentary tradition on Job 34:21 notes that God's omniscience and omnipotence enable Him to execute immediate justice, underscoring the significance of these attributes in God's governance ^[6].

The biblical basis for God's omnipotence is also extensive. Torrey's Topical Textbook cites various scriptures that describe God's power as supreme, unlimited, and irresistible ^[2]. For instance, Psalm 62:11 states, "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God" ^[2]. Furthermore, Christ's power is described as supreme (Ephesians 1:20-21), unlimited (Matthew 28:18), and glorious (2 Thessalonians 1:9) ^[1].

The relationship between God's omniscience and omnipotence is intertwined with His sovereignty. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, God's decrees are "his eternal, unchangeable, holy, wise, and sovereign purpose, comprehending at once all things that ever were or will be" ^[3]. This understanding of God's decrees underscores His omniscience and omnipotence, as they are integral to His sovereign plan.

The implications of God's omniscience and omnipotence are multifaceted. Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalm 139 notes that the psalmist acknowledges God's care and concern for him, based on God's omniscience ^[9]. This care is rooted in God's thoughts of love towards His people (Jeremiah 29:11). The Baptist/Reformed commentary on Psalm 139:1 highlights that God's omniscience reaches to all persons and things, emphasizing the exhaustive nature of His knowledge ^[10].

In the New Testament, the attribute of omnipotence is also ascribed to Christ. John Gill's commentary on Revelation 11:17 identifies Jesus Christ as the "Lord God Almighty," emphasizing His role in exercising great power and authority ^[11]. one commentary tradition on Colossians 1:19 notes that all the fulness of God dwells in Christ, underscoring His divine nature and authority ^[8].

The biblical portrayal of God's omniscience and omnipotence serves as a foundation for trust and worship. Sirach 15:19 states, "For the wisdom of God is great, and he is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing" ^[4]. This verse encapsulates the biblical teaching on God's attributes, encouraging a response of reverence and awe.

The understanding of God's omniscience and omnipotence has been a cornerstone of Christian theology across various traditions. While the Nonconformist/Puritan, Presbyterian, Baptist/Reformed, and Protestant academic sources may have nuanced interpretations, they collectively affirm the biblical teaching on these attributes. The biblical text remains the primary source for understanding God's nature, and its portrayal of omniscience and omnipotence continues to shape Christian doctrine and practice.

The biblical doctrine of God's omniscience and omnipotence is not merely a theological abstraction but has practical implications for believers. It encourages trust in God's sovereignty, providential care, and ultimate justice. As Psalm 139:17-18 indicates, the psalmist's reflection on God's omniscience leads to a sense of wonder and thankfulness for God's care ^[9]. This response is characteristic of the biblical understanding of God's omniscience and omnipotence, emphasizing their significance in the life of faith.

The affirmation of God's omniscience and omnipotence in Scripture provides a foundation for Christian worship, trust, and obedience, shaping the believer's understanding of God's character and governance.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of Christ, The — As the Son of God, is the power of God -- Joh 5:17-19; 10:28-30. As man, is from the Father -- Ac 10:38. Described as Supreme. -- Eph 1:20,21; 1Pe 3:22. Unlimited. -- Mt 28:18. Over all flesh. -- Joh 17:2. Over all things. -- Joh 3:35; Eph 1:22. Glorious. -- 2Th 1:9. Everlasting. -- 1Ti 6:16. Is able to subdue all things -- Php 3:21. Exhibited in Creation. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. Upholding all things. -- Col 1:17; Heb 1:3. Salvation. -- Isa 63:1; Heb 7:25. His teaching. -- Mt 7:28,29; Lu 4:32. Working miracles. -- Mt 8:27; Lu 5:17. Enabling ot”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- Ps 62:11. Expressed by the Voice of God. -- Ps 29:3,5; 68:33. Finger of God. -- Ex 8:19; Ps 8:3. Hand of God. -- Ex 9:3,15; Isa 48:13. Arm of God. -- Job 40:9; Isa 52:10. Thunder of his power. -- Job 26:14. Described as Great. -- Ps 79:11; Na 1:3. Strong. -- Ps 89:13; 136:12. Glorious. -- Ex 15:6; Isa 63:12. Mighty. -- Job 9:4; Ps 89:13. Everlasting. -- Isa 26:4; Ro 1:20. Sovereign. -- Ro 9:21. Effectual. -- Isa 43:13; Eph 3:7. Irresistible. -- De 32:39; Da 4:35. Incomparable. -- Ex 15:11,12; De 3:24; Job 40:9; Ps 89:8.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Decrees of God — "The decrees of God are his eternal, unchangeable, holy, wise, and sovereign purpose, comprehending at once all things that ever were or will be in their causes, conditions, successions, and relations, and determining their certain futurition. The several contents of this one eternal purpose are, because of the limitation of our faculties, necessarily conceived of by us in partial aspects, and in logical relations, and are therefore styled Decrees." The decree being the act of an infinite, absolute, eternal, unchangeable, and sovereign Person, compre”
Sirach “Sirach 15:19 (DRC) — For the wisdom of God is great, and he is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing.”
Psalms “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite. -- Psalms 147:5”
Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 34:21: God's omniscience and omnipotence enable Him to execute immediate justice. He needs not to be long on the "watch," as Job thought (Job 7:12; Ch2 16:9; Jer 32:19).”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 139 (introduction): Some of the Jewish doctors are of opinion that this is the most excellent of all the psalms of David; and a very pious devout meditation it is upon the doctrine of God's omniscience, which we should therefore have our hearts fixed upon and filled with in singing this psalm. I. This doctrine is here asserted, and fully laid down (Psa 139:1-6). II. It is confirmed by two arguments: - 1. God is every where present; therefore he knows all (Psa 139:7-12). 2. He made us, therefore he knows us (Psa 139:13-16). III. Some inferences are drawn from this doctri”
Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:19: Greek, "(God) was well pleased," &c. in him--that is, in the Son (Mat 3:17). all fulness--rather as Greek, "all the fulness," namely, of God, whatever divine excellence is in God the Father (Col 2:9; Eph 3:19; compare Joh 1:16; Joh 3:34). The Gnostics used the term "fulness," for the assemblage of emanations, or angelic powers, coming from God. The Spirit presciently by Paul warns the Church, that the true "fulness" dwells in Christ alone. This assigns the reason why Christ takes precedence of every creature (Col 1:15). For two reasons Christ i”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 139:17: Here the psalmist makes application of the doctrine of God's omniscience, divers ways. I. He acknowledges, with wonder and thankfulness, the care God had taken of him all his days, Psa 139:17, Psa 139:18. God, who knew him, thought of him, and his thoughts towards him were thoughts of love, thought of good, and not of evil, Jer 29:11. God's omniscience, which might justly have watched over us to do us hurt, has been employed for us, and has watched over us to do us good, Jer 31:28. God's counsels concerning us and our welfare have been, 1. Precious to admiration”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 139:1: O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. The omniscience of God reaches to all persons and things; but the psalmist only takes notice of it as respecting himself. God knows all men in general, and whatever belongs to them; he knows his own people in a special manner; and he knows their particular persons, as David and others: and this knowledge of God is considered after the manner of men, as if it was the fruit of search, to denote the exquisiteness of it; as a judge searches out a cause, a physician the nature of a disease, a philosopher the reason of things; w”
Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 11:17: Saying, we give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty,.... The person addressed is the Lord Jesus Christ, whose the kingdoms are become, and who now reigns in great power and authority; he is Lord of all, and truly and properly God, and the Almighty, as his works of creation, preservation, redemption, raising himself from the dead, &c. declare; and each of these titles exceedingly well suit him, when his visible kingdom on earth will be so greatly enlarged: which art, and wast, and art to come: the everlasting, "I am", the unchangeable Jehovah: the phrase is express”

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