God's Sovereign Work in All Things
God's sovereign work in all things refers to the belief that God possesses absolute power and authority, exercising His will over every aspect of creation and history [6, 13]. This concept is deeply rooted in biblical texts that describe God as the ultimate source and sustainer of all that exists.
The Bible frequently emphasizes God's comprehensive involvement. For instance, 1 Corinthians 12:6 states, "There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all" [1, 3]. This verse, according to some interpretations, highlights God the Father as the one who orchestrates all operations, both ordinary and extraordinary [16]. Similarly, Job 33:29 notes, "Behold, God works all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man" [5]. The Psalmist declares, "Magna opera Domini: exquisita in omnes voluntates ejus" (Great are the works of the Lord; they are exquisite in all his wills) [2]. The apocryphal book of Sirach also affirms that "All the works of the Lord are exceeding good" [4].
This sovereignty extends to God's creative act, where He called all things into being out of nothing, freely and for infinitely wise reasons [7]. The cause of all things exists solely in God's will [7]. This creative power is attributed to the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit [7]. The Son's power is described as supreme, unlimited, and over all things, exhibited in creation and the upholding of all things [9].
God's wisdom is also a key attribute in His sovereign work, described as perfect, mighty, universal, infinite, and unsearchable [10]. This wisdom is exhibited in His works [10]. The decrees of God are understood as His eternal, unchangeable, holy, wise, and sovereign purpose, encompassing all things that ever were or will be, determining their certain future [8]. These decrees are an act of an infinite, absolute, eternal, unchangeable, and sovereign Person [8].
The prophet Daniel, in Daniel 4:35, proclaims that God "does as he pleases," signifying God's absolute power in heaven and on earth [13]. This sentiment is echoed in Adam Clarke's commentary on Daniel, which notes that God's wonders are mighty and surpass all human power, demonstrating His everlasting dominion and all-governing influence [15]. Matthew Henry, commenting on Job, encourages a "cheerful submission to his providence" by emphasizing God's illustrious and conspicuous work, noting that "God does nothing mean" [12]. He also observes that God reviews His work, seeing everything He has made, connecting omniscience with omnipotence [14]. Josephus also describes God as containing all things, being self-sufficient, and the beginning, middle, and end of all things, manifest in His works [11].
Sources
- 1 Corinthians “There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all. -- 1 Corinthians 12:6”
- Psalms “Magna opera Domini : exquisita in omnes voluntates ejus. -- Psalms 110:2”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 12:6 (ASV) — And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all.”
- Sirach “Sirach 39:21 (DRC) — All the works of the Lord are exceeding good.”
- Job ““Behold, God works all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man, -- Job 33:29”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sovereignty — Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15-23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Creation — "In the beginning" God created, i.e., called into being, all things out of nothing. This creative act on the part of God was absolutely free, and for infinitely wise reasons. The cause of all things exists only in the will of God. The work of creation is attributed (1) to the Godhead (Gen. 1:1, 26); (2) to the Father (1 Cor. 8:6); (3) to the Son (John 1:3; Col. 1:16, 17); (4) to the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; Ps. 104:30). The fact that he is the Creator distinguishes Jehovah as the true God (Isa. 37:16; 40:12, 13; 54:5; Ps. 96:5; Jer. 10:11, 12). Th”
- 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”
- 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: Wisdom of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- 1Sa 2:3; Job 9:4. Described as Perfect. -- Job 36:4; 37:16. Mighty. -- Job 36:5. Universal. -- Job 28:24; Da 2:22; Ac 15:18. Infinite. -- Ps 147:5; Ro 11:33. Unsearchable. -- Isa 40:28; Ro 11:33. Wonderful. -- Ps 139:6. Beyond human comprehension. -- Ps 139:6. Incomparable. -- Isa 44:7; Jer 10:7. Underived. -- Job 21:22; Isa 40:14. The gospel contains treasures of -- 1Co 2:7. Wisdom of saints is derived from -- Ezr 7:25. All human wisdom derived from -- Da 2:1. Saints ascribe to him -- Da 2:20. Exhibited in His works. ”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Against Apion, BOOK II, section 30: festivals, are not able to observe for a few days' time, and call them Mysteries and Sacred Ceremonies, we observe with great pleasure and an unshaken resolution during our whole lives. What are the things then that we are commanded or forbidden? They are simple, and easily known. The first command is concerning God, and affirms that God contains all things, and is a Being every way perfect and happy, self-sufficient, and supplying all other beings; the beginning, the middle, and the end of all things. He is manifest in his works and benefi”
- Job (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Job 36:24: Elihu is here endeavouring to possess Job with great and high thoughts of God, and so to persuade him into a cheerful submission to his providence. I. He represents the work of God, in general, as illustrious and conspicuous, Job 36:24. His whole work is so. God does nothing mean. This is a good reason why we should acquiesce in all the operations of his providence concerning us in particular. His visible works, those of nature, and which concern the world in general, are such as we admire and commend, and in which we observe the Creator's wisdom, power, and goodnes”
- Daniel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Daniel 4:35: 4:35 He does as he pleases: God has absolute power in heaven and on earth.”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 1:31: We have here the approbation and conclusion of the whole work of creation. As for God, his work is perfect; and if he begin he will also make an end, in providence and grace, as well as here in creation. Observe, I. The review God took of his work: He saw every thing that he had made. So he does still; all the works of his hands are under his eye. He that made all sees all; he that made us sees us, Ps. 139:1-16. Omniscience cannot be separated from omnipotence. Known unto God are all his works, Act 15:18. But this was the Eternal Mind's solemn reflection upon the”
- Daniel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Daniel 4:3: How great are his signs! - There are no preternatural signs like his! His wonders - miraculous interferences, are mighty - they surpass all human power. He is the Sovereign of all kings, and his dominion is everlasting; and every generation is a proof of his all-governing influence. These are very fine sentiments, and show how deeply his mind was impressed with the majesty of God.”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:6: And there are diversities of operations, There are some that are ordinary, as the good work of grace, and the several parts of it, the work of faith, the labour of love, and patience of hope, which the Spirit of God begins, carries on, and finishes in all the elect of God, and members of Christ; and there are others which are extraordinary, and are here meant, and hereafter specified. But it is the same God which worketh all in all. Interpreters in general understand by God here, God the Father; as by the Lord in the preceding verse, the Lord Jesus Christ, as”