Biblical Examples of God's Character and Attributes in Scripture
The character of God is revealed throughout Scripture, demonstrating attributes such as holiness, justice, love, mercy, and truth. The very name "God" in Hebrew, 'El or 'Elohim, conveys strength [5]. The Bible takes the existence of God for granted, focusing instead on His nature and actions [5].
God's holiness is a foundational aspect of His character. It is commanded for His people, as seen in Leviticus 11:45 and 20:7, and Ephesians 5:8. Christ serves as an example of holiness (Hebrews 7:26), and His desire is for His people to be sanctified (John 17:17) [2]. The character of God Himself is the standard for holiness (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16), and without holiness, no one will see God (Hebrews 12:14) [2]. This holiness is intrinsically linked to God's glory, which tangibly expresses His power and majesty [11]. God's glory was manifested at Mount Sinai, the dedication of the Tabernacle, and in Solomon's Temple [11].
Beyond holiness, God's rule is characterized by strength, justice, love, fairness, and righteousness [8]. His word, as described in Psalm 33:4-7, displays both His character and His power [10]. The psalmist Matthew Henry notes that while God's glory is evident in creation, it is even more profoundly revealed through divine revelation, particularly in the Scriptures, which serve to recover humanity from its fallen state [9].
God consistently demonstrates His character towards all creation [13]. His perfections of love, mercy, goodness, and truth are manifested in pardoning sin [14]. These attributes, particularly mercy and truth, are often used to describe God's faithfulness to His promises [15].
Humility is another attribute exemplified by Christ (Matthew 11:29) and necessary for serving God (Micah 6:8) [3]. God regards and hears the humble, delivering and exalting them (Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 66:2; James 4:10) [3].
Holy boldness, which is a characteristic of saints (Proverbs 28:1), is produced by trust in God and the fear of God (Isaiah 50:7; Acts 4:19) [4]. Christ also set an example of holy boldness (John 7:26) [4].
Devotedness to God is a characteristic of saints (Job 23:12) and is grounded in God's mercies, goodness, call, the death of Christ, creation, preservation, and redemption [1]. This devotion should be unreserved and encompass one's spirit, body, members, and substance [1].
Humanity, created in God's image (Genesis 1:27), bears His likeness and is endowed with dignity [7, 12]. This reflects God's own character, though humanity is distinct from God, as Romans 1:23 warns against changing the glory of the incorruptible God into images of corruptible things [6].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Devotedness to God — A characteristic of saints -- Job 23:12. Christ, an example of -- Joh 4:34; 17:4. Grounded upon The mercies of God. -- Ro 12:1. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The call of God. -- 1Th 2:12. The death of Christ. -- 2Co 5:15. Our creation. -- Ps 86:9. Our preservation. -- Isa 46:4. Our redemption. -- 1Co 6:19,20. Should be With our spirit. -- 1Co 6:20; 1Pe 4:6. With our bodies. -- Ro 12:1; 1Co 6:20. With our members. -- Ro 6:12,13; 1Pe 4:2. With our substance. -- Ex 22:29; Pr 3:9. Unreserved. -- Mt 6:24; Lu 14:33. Abounding. -- 1Th 4:1. Persever”
- 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. ”
- 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, ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Boldness, Holy — Christ set an example of -- Joh 7:26. Is through faith in Christ -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 28:1. Produced by Trust in God. -- Isa 50:7. The fear of God. -- Ac 4:19; 5:29. Faithfulness to God. -- 1Ti 3:13. Express your trust in God with -- Heb 13:6. Have, in prayer -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16. Saints shall have, in judgment -- 1Jo 4:17. Exhortations to -- Jos 1:7; 2Ch 19:11; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9. Pray for -- Ac 4:29; Eph 6:19,20. Ministers should exhibit, in Faithfulness to their people. -- 2Co 7:4; 10:1. Preaching. -- Ac 4:31; Ph”
- 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”
- Romans “Romans 1:23 (YLT) — and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of fowls, and of quadrupeds, and of reptiles.”
- Genesis “God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. -- Genesis 1:27”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 99:4: 99:4 The qualities of the Lord’s rule include strength, justice, love, fairness, and righteousness (see 93:4; 97:2, 6-7, 12; 98:2-3, 9; 138:6).”
- 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”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 33:4: 33:4-7 God’s word displays his character and his power.”
- Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 9:6: 9:6 Just as holiness describes God’s person and nature, the glory of the Lord tangibly expresses his power and majesty (see Ezek 1:28; 10:4). His glory was revealed on Mount Sinai (Exod 24:16), at the dedication of the Tabernacle (Exod 40:34-35), and in Solomon’s Temple (1 Kgs 8:11; 2 Chr 7:1). Yet it remained as vast as the heavens (Ps 19:1). The New Testament speaks of Christ’s glory as the image of God (2 Cor 4:4), who manifested God’s glory to the world (John 1:14). He was glorified in his death and resurrection (John 17:1-5). See also Exod 24:15-17.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 8:5: 8:5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God: Humans bear God’s image; the Lord has endowed humans with dignity and charged them to rule (Gen 1:26-27). Hebrews 2:6-8 applies these words to Jesus Christ, the ideal human who fully realized God’s purposes.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 145:8: 145:8-9 God consistently demonstrates his character toward all his creation (see 136:25).”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 25:11: God's perfections of love, mercy, goodness, and truth are manifested (his name, compare Psa 9:10) in pardoning sin, and the greatness of sin renders pardon more needed.”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 3:3: mercy and truth--God's faithfulness to His promises is often expressed by these terms (Psa 25:10; Psa 57:3). As attributes of men, they express integrity in a wide sense (Pro 16:6; Pro 20:28). bind . . . write . . . heart--outwardly adorn and inwardly govern motives.”