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Biblical Characters and Scripture for Understanding God's Character

The character of God is revealed throughout Scripture, providing a standard for human conduct and a foundation for understanding divine nature. The Bible takes God's existence for granted, focusing instead on describing his attributes and actions [5].

God's character is fundamentally holy, as seen in commands such as "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2) and "Be holy, because I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15-16) [1]. This holiness is a motive for righteous behavior [8]. God's word itself displays his character and power [9]. He is described as unique, with no one else like him, and his unfailing love (Hebrew khesed) and faithfulness mean he can be trusted [10].

Key aspects of God's character include:

The character of Christ serves as a direct revelation of God's character and a model for believers. Jesus is described as altogether lovely (Song of Solomon 5:16), holy (Luke 1:35), righteous (Isaiah 53:11), good (Matthew 19:16), faithful (Isaiah 11:5), true (John 1:14), and just (Zechariah 9:9) [3]. He was guileless (Isaiah 53:9), sinless (John 8:46), spotless (1 Peter 1:19), innocent (Matthew 27:4), and harmless (Hebrews 7:26) [3]. Christ resisted temptation (Matthew 4:1-10), was obedient to God the Father (Psalm 40:8), zealous (Luke 2:49), meek (Isaiah 53:7), and lowly in heart (Matthew 11:29) [3]. His character is the standard for believers' holiness (Romans 8:29; 1 John 2:6; Philippians 2:5) [1].

Understanding God's character is essential for developing a godly character in believers. The Bible describes the character of saints as those who are attentive to Christ's voice (John 10:3-4), blameless and harmless (Philippians 2:15), bold (Proverbs 28:1), contrite (Isaiah 57:15), devout (Acts 8:2), faithful (Revelation 17:14), and fearing God (Matthew 3:16) [4]. They are called to be holy (Deuteronomy 7:6), humble (Psalm 34:2), and just (Genesis 6:9) [4]. A godly life provides evidence that an individual truly knows God [11].

Humility is a key characteristic for those who serve God (Micah 6:8), with Christ himself being an example (Matthew 11:29; Philippians 2:5-8) [6]. God regards the humble (Psalm 138:6), hears them (Psalm 9:12), and delivers them (Job 22:29) [6].

The concept of "godly fear" is also central to understanding God's character and responding appropriately. God is the object of this fear (Isaiah 8:13) and its author (Jeremiah 32:39-40) [2]. It is described as a hatred of evil (Proverbs 8:13), wisdom (Job 28:28), and a fountain of life (Proverbs 14:27) [2]. Godly fear is sanctifying (Psalm 19:9) and is commanded throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 13:4; Ecclesiastes 12:13) [2]. Motives for this fear include God's holiness (Revelation 15:4), greatness (Deuteronomy 10:12), goodness (1 Samuel 12:24), and forgiveness (Psalm 130:4) [2]. Searching the Scriptures helps in understanding godly fear (Proverbs 2:3-5) [2].

While God already knows the innermost thoughts of individuals (Psalm 139:23), the Old Testament often describes God in human terms (anthropomorphism and anthropopathism) to help people grasp his ways, even if it appears to limit him [7]. This allows for a relatable understanding of his character, which is meant to be reflected in the actions of his people [7].

Sources

  1. 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. ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, Character Of — Altogether lovely -- Song 5:16. Holy -- Lu 1:35; Ac 4:27; Re 3:7. Righteous -- Isa 53:11; Heb 1:9. Good -- Mt 19:16. Faithful -- Isa 11:5; 1Th 5:24. True -- Joh 1:14; 7:18; 1Jo 5:20. Just -- Zec 9:9; Joh 5:30; Ac 22:14. Guileless -- Isa 53:9; 1Pe 2:22. Sinless -- Joh 8:46; 2Co 5:21. Spotless -- 1Pe 1:19. Innocent -- Mt 27:4. Harmless -- Heb 7:26. Resisting temptation -- Mt 4:1-10. Obedient to God the Father -- Ps 40:8; Joh 4:34; 15:10. Zealous -- Lu 2:49; Joh 2:17; 8:29. Meek -- Isa 53:7; Zec 9:9; Mt 11:29. Lowly in heart -- Mt 11:29. Merciful ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Character of Saints — Attentive to Christ's voice -- Joh 10:3,4. Blameless and harmless -- Php 2:15. Bold -- Pr 28:1; Ro 13:3. Contrite -- Isa 57:15; 66:2. Devout -- Ac 8:2; 22:12. Faithful -- Re 17:14. Fearing God -- Mt 3:16; Ac 10:2. Following Christ -- Joh 10:4,27. Godly -- Ps 4:3; 2Pe 2:9. Guileless -- Joh 1:47. Holy -- De 7:6; 14:2; Col 3:12. Humble -- Ps 34:2; 1Pe 5:5. Hungering after righteousness -- Mt 5:6. Just -- Ge 6:9; Hab 2:4; Lu 2:25. Led by the Spirit -- Ro 8:14. Liberal -- Isa 32:8; 2Co 9:13. Loving -- Col 1:4; 1Th 4:9. Lowly -- Pr 16:19. Meek -- Isa ”
  5. 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”
  6. 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, ”
  7. Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 8:2: 8:2 to prove your character (literally to know what is in your heart): God already knew the Israelites’ innermost thoughts (Pss 51:6; 139:1, 4, 23); he wanted their character to come out in their actions. • to find out whether: The Old Testament often describes God in human terms, even in ways that appear to limit God. Anthropomorphism (assigning human characteristics to God) and anthropopathism (assigning human feelings or emotions to God) are ways of representing God on a human level so the human mind can better grasp his ways, but God is not limited in his ”
  8. Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 23:7: 23:7 God’s character is the motive for righteous behavior (see 22:22-24, 27).”
  9. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 33:4: 33:4-7 God’s word displays his character and his power.”
  10. Micah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Micah 7:18: 7:18-20 These verses provide a fine brief summary of Old Testament theology. God is unique; there is no one and nothing else like him. Because of his unfailing love (Hebrew khesed), he does not destroy his people whom he judges but instead restores them (see Exod 36:6-7). His faithfulness means that he can be trusted to do good regardless of the cost to himself (see Ps 89:1-2). • Where is another God like you: This question probably plays off of Micah’s name (“Who is like the Lord?”). God’s character is unequaled among the gods of the nations. His actions and words”
  11. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 33:15: 33:15 A godly life provides evidence that an individual truly knows God (see Col 3:5-17; Jas 2:14-18; 1 Pet 1:14-16; 1 Jn 1:5-6).”
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