Attribute of God: Simplicity (Simplicitas) in Scripture
The concept of divine simplicity, while not explicitly named in Scripture, is a theological attribute describing God as without parts or composition. This means God is not a composite of various attributes but is, in essence, each of His attributes [10]. For instance, God is not merely loving, but is love itself; not just powerful, but power itself. This understanding contrasts with human beings, who are composites of body and soul, and whose attributes (like love or wisdom) are distinct from their being.
Scripture often emphasizes God's unique nature and singular being. The Hebrew term 'El, meaning "to be strong," and 'Elohim, commonly translated as "God," point to the divine being as the ultimate power [3]. The highest form of worship in Scripture, "Holy, holy, holy," emphasizes God's ultimate and singular holiness, suggesting an indivisible perfection [7].
While the term "simplicity" in English translations of the Bible often refers to human characteristics like purity, plainness, or lack of guile, these instances do not directly address the divine attribute of simplicity [1, 2]. For example, Zaccheus is described as "pure; clean; just" [1], and Ishua as "plainness; equal" [2]. The "simple" in Proverbs are those who are naive or easily led, as in "The simple giveth credence to everything" [4]. In other contexts, "simplicity" refers to sincerity or lack of worldly wisdom, as when Paul speaks of conducting himself "in simplicity and godly sincerity" [6]. The Lord's Prayer is presented as a model of "simplicity" in contrast to pagan wordiness [9]. God is also depicted as preserving the "simple" in the sense of the humble or those lacking worldly shrewdness [5].
However, the theological concept of divine simplicity undergirds many biblical descriptions of God's character. God is consistently portrayed as "the only wise God" [8, 11], suggesting that wisdom is not an acquired trait but an intrinsic aspect of His very being. This divine wisdom is seen in creation, providence, and the plan of salvation through Christ [11]. The Father is described as "righteous" in His nature, purposes, and works, indicating that righteousness is inherent to Him [10]. These descriptions imply a God whose attributes are not separate components but are perfectly unified within His singular essence.
Sources
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Zaccheus — pure; clean; just”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Ishua — plainness; equal”
- 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”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 14:15 (YLT) — The simple giveth credence to everything, And the prudent attendeth to his step.”
- Psalms “Psalms 116:6 (KJV) — The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 1:12: For--reason why he may confidently look for their prayers for him. our rejoicing--Greek, "our glorying." Not that he glories in the testimony of his conscience, as something to boast of; nay, this testimony is itself the thing in which his glorying consists. in simplicity--Most of the oldest manuscripts read, "in holiness." English Version reading is perhaps a gloss from Eph 6:5 [ALFORD]. Some of the oldest manuscripts and versions, however, support it. godly sincerity--literally, "sincerity of God"; that is, sincerity as in the presence o”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 4:8: 4:8 day and night: The four beings ceaselessly praised God’s basic characteristics: his holiness, his power (the Almighty), and his eternity (see study note on 1:4). • Holy, holy, holy comes from Isa 6:3 and is the highest worship affirmation in Scripture. To double something makes it emphatic; to triple it makes it ultimate.”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 16:27: To God, &c.--"To the only wise God through Jesus Christ, be"--literally, "to whom be"; that is, "to Him, I say, be the glory for ever. Amen." At its outset, this is an ascription of glory to the power that could do all this; at its close it ascribes glory to the wisdom that planned and that presides over the gathering of a redeemed people out of all nations. The apostle adds his devout "Amen," which the reader--if he has followed him with the astonishment and delight of him who pens these words--will fervently echo. On this concluding section of the ”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:7: 6:7-8 God cannot be coaxed by endless repetition. The Lord’s Prayer (6:9-13) is a model of simplicity in contrast with pagan wordiness.”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 17:24: O righteous Father,.... God is righteous in all the divine persons: the Father is righteous, the Son is righteous, and the Holy Spirit is righteous: he is so in his nature; righteousness is a perfection of it; he is so in all his purposes and promises; in all his ways and works of providence and grace; in predestination, redemption, justification, pardon of sin, and eternal glory. Christ makes use of this epithet, as containing a reason why he might justly expect that all his petitions and claims, on behalf of himself and people, would be regarded: the world hath not”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 16:25: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ,.... This may be understood of God the Father, who is the only wise God, originally, essentially, and infinitely; though not to the exclusion of the Son and Spirit; and whose infinite wisdom appears in the works of creation and providence, in redemption and salvation by Christ, and in the whole scheme of the Gospel so largely commended in the foregoing verses: and the glory of all is displayed in, and to be given to him through Christ as Mediator; as the glory of his power and wisdom, particularly mentioned, who is the ”