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Majesty and Mystery of God's Character in Human Examples

The character of God is often described in terms of majesty and mystery, attributes that are sometimes illustrated through human examples in biblical texts. God's wisdom, for instance, is presented as perfect, mighty, universal, infinite, and unsearchable [1]. This divine wisdom is beyond human comprehension and incomparable, being the source from which all human wisdom is derived [1]. Similarly, God's glory is exhibited in Christ, in His name, His majesty, power, works, and holiness [5]. This glory is described as great, eternal, rich, and highly exalted [5].

The mystery of God's character is particularly evident in the incarnation of Christ. The Geneva Bible translation of 1 Timothy 3:16 states, "And without controuersie, great is the mysterie of godlinesse, which is, God is manifested in the flesh, iustified in the Spirit, seene of Angels, preached vnto the Gentiles, beleeued on in the world, and receiued up in glorie" [2]. Another translation renders this as, "Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory" [6]. John Gill, in his commentary on this verse, explains that the incarnation of Christ—His birth of a virgin and the union of divine and human natures in His person—is a profound mystery. While revealed and to be believed, its modus or manner cannot be fully comprehended by human reason. Gill considers this mystery to be nearly, if not equally, as great as the doctrine of the Trinity [9]. This mystery of godliness encourages both internal and external piety [9].

God's majesty is also demonstrated through His foreknowledge, an attribute that is essentially His but whose full import humans cannot comprehend [7]. His knowledge is infinite in the most absolute sense [7]. The glory of God is declared among the nations, revealing the Messiah as the brightness of His Father's glory, possessing all divine perfections. The glory of God is evident in Christ and in all His actions, especially in the work of redemption, where divine wisdom, power, justice, truth, faithfulness, love, grace, and mercy are richly displayed [15]. The Psalmist speaks of the "glorious honour of thy majesty," referring to the divine person of Christ, the honor due to Him, and His glory as the only begotten of the Father [12]. This includes His glory as Mediator, crowned at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him [12].

The concept of God's character also includes His joy over His people, which is described as great [3]. This joy is occasioned by their repentance (Luke 15:7, 10), faith (Hebrews 11:5, 6), fear of Him (Psalm 147:11), prayer (Proverbs 15:8), hope in His mercy (Psalm 147:11), and meekness (Psalm 149:4) [3]. God's joy leads Him to prosper, do good to, deliver, comfort, and give inheritance to His people [3]. This is exemplified by Solomon, as noted in 1 Kings 10:9 [3].

Humility is another aspect of God's character, particularly as exemplified in Christ. Jesus is presented as an example of humility (Matthew 11:29; John 13:14, 15; Philippians 2:5-8) [4]. Calvin, in his commentary on Philippians, notes that Christ's humility involved abasing Himself from the "highest pinnacle of glory to the lowest ignominy" [10]. This contrasts with human humility, which involves refraining from self-exaltation [10]. God regards those who are humble (Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 66:2), hears them (Psalm 9:12; Isaiah 10:17), and grants them His presence (Isaiah 57:15) [4]. He delivers, lifts up, and exalts the humble (Job 22:29; James 4:10; Luke 14:11; 18:14) [4]. Those who are humble are considered greatest in Christ's kingdom (Matthew 18:4; 20:26-28) and receive more grace (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6) [4].

The "wondrous works" of God are also a testament to His character [12]. The Scriptures, which testify of God, are described as "wonderful" due to their author, content, and benefits [8]. They recount the wonders of creation, events of Providence, and miracles [8]. The glory of God is evident in His works of creation (Psalm 19:1; 111:3) [5]. Matthew Henry observes that while God's glory is seen in creation, it is "much more in and by divine revelation" [11]. The word of God is essential for humanity's recovery from a fallen state [11].

The mystery of God's character also extends to His hidden purposes. Proverbs 25:2 states, "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing" [13]. John Gill interprets this to mean that secret things belong to God and are kept by Him. Even when He reveals things, the "modus" or manner of them often remains hidden, such as aspects of His own being, the Trinity, the incarnation of Christ, and the predestination of individuals [13]. The angel of the Lord, when asked his name by Manoah, replied, "Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?" (Judges 13:18). Gill suggests that this "secret" name could also be translated as "wonderful," which is one of Christ's names, fitting His wonderful person as God and man, His incarnation, offices, and love for His people [14].

Sources

  1. 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. ”
  2. I Timothy “I Timothy 3:16 (Geneva1599) — And without controuersie, great is the mysterie of godlinesse, which is, God is manifested in the flesh, iustified in the Spirit, seene of Angels, preached vnto the Gentiles, beleeued on in the world, and receiued vp in glorie.”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Joy of God Over His People, The — Greatness of, described -- Zep 3:17. On account of their Repentance. -- Lu 15:7,10. Faith. -- Heb 11:5,6. Fear of him. -- Ps 147:11. Praying to him. -- Pr 15:8. Hope in his mercy. -- Ps 147:11. Meekness. -- Ps 149:4. Uprightness. -- 1Ch 29:17; Pr 11:20. Leads to him Prosper them. -- De 30:9. Do them good. -- De 28:63; Jer 32:41. Deliver them. -- 2Sa 22:20. Comfort them. -- Isa 65:19. Give them the inheritance. -- Nu 14:8. Illustrated -- Isa 62:5; Lu 15:23,24. Exemplified Solomon. -- 1Ki 10:9.”
  4. 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, ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory of God, The — Exhibited in Christ -- Joh 1:14; 2Co 4:6; Heb 1:3. Exhibited in His name. -- De 28:58; Ne 9:5. His majesty. -- Job 37:22; Ps 93:1; 104:1; 145:5,12; Isa 2:10. His power. -- Ex 15:1,6; Ro 6:4. His works. -- Ps 19:1; 111:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11. Described as Great. -- Ps 138:5. Eternal. -- Ps 104:31. Rich. -- Eph 3:16. Highly exalted. -- Ps 8:1; 113:4. Exhibited to Moses. -- Ex 34:5-7; 33:18-23. Stephen. -- Ac 7:55. His Church. -- De 5:24; Ps 102:16. Enlightens the Church -- Isa 60:1,2; Re 21:11,23. Saints desire to behold -- Ps 63:2; 90:16. God”
  6. 1 Timothy “Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory. -- 1 Timothy 3:16”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Foreknowledge of God — Acts 2:23; Rom. 8:29; 11:2; 1 Pet. 1:2), one of those high attributes essentially appertaining to him the full import of which we cannot comprehend. In the most absolute sense his knowledge is infinite (1 Sam. 23:9-13; Jer. 38:17-23; 42:9-22, Matt. 11:21, 23; Acts 15:18).”
  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. 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 3:16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness,.... What follows is so, the incarnation of Christ, his birth of a virgin, the union of the two natures, divine and human, in his person; this is a mystery, which though revealed, and so to be believed, is not to be discerned nor accounted for, nor the modus of it to be comprehended by reason: and it is a great one, next, if not equal, to the doctrine of a trinity of persons in the divine essence; and is a mystery of godliness, which tends to encourage internal and external religion, powerful and practical g”
  10. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 11.2: wished that the reader should be in possession of the very form of expression which Paul has employed. 6 Inasmuch as he was in the form of God. This is not a comparison between things similar, but in the way of greater and less. Christ’s humility consisted in his abasing himself from the highest pinnacle of glory to the lowest ignominy: our humility consists in refraining from exalting ourselves by a false estimation. He gave up his right: all that is required of us is, that we do not assume to ourselves more than ”
  11. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 19:7: God's glory, (that is, his goodness to man) appears much in the works of creation, but much more in and by divine revelation. The holy scripture, as it is a rule both of our duty to God and of our expectation from him, is of much greater use and benefit to us than day or night, than the air we breathe in, or the light of the sun. The discoveries made of God by his works might have served if man had retained his integrity; but, to recover him out of his fallen state, another course must be taken; that must be done by the word of God. And here, 1. The psalmist gives”
  12. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 145:5: I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty,.... Of the majesty of the divine Person of Christ; of the honour due unto him; of the glory of him as of the only begotten of the Father, as he is the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person; of his glory as Mediator, and the honour that belongs to him as such, with which he is now crowned at the right hand of the Majesty on high, angels, authorities, and powers, being subject unto him as the Lord and King of glory; and of thy wondrous works; in becoming incarnate, in dying for the sins of his”
  13. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 25:2: It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,.... Secret things belong unto him, and they are kept so by him: many things which he does reveal, yet the "modus" or manner of them remains hidden; as what relates to his own being, and manner of subsisting; the trinity of Persons in the Godhead; the filiation or the Son, and the procession of the Spirit; the incarnation of Christ, and the like: the predestination of men to life and death, though that there is such a thing is certain, yet who they are is not known; the purposes and decrees of God, all that he determines to ”
  14. Judges (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Judges 13:18: And the angel of the Lord said unto him,.... Being so importunate, and pressing upon him: why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret? and not to be known; as his nature and essence as a divine Person, which may be meant by his name, is what passes knowledge, is infinite and incomprehensible; see Pro 30:4 or "wonderful" (p); which is one of the names of Christ, and fitly agrees with him, who is wonderful in his person, as God and man; in his incarnation, in his offices and relations, in his love to his people, and in all he is unto them, and has done fo”
  15. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 96:3: Declare his glory among the Heathen,.... What a glorious Person the Messiah is; the brightness of his Father's glory; having all the perfections of deity in him; how the glory of God appears in him, and in all that he has done; and especially in the work of redemption, in which the glory of divine wisdom, power, justice, truth, and faithfulness, love, grace, and mercy, is richly displayed; say what glory he is advanced unto, having done his work, being highly exalted, set at the right hand of God, and crowned with glory and honour; and what a fulness of grace there is”
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