God's Omnipresence and Omniscience Explained Theologically

The theological concepts of God's omnipresence and omniscience describe fundamental attributes of the Divine Being, often understood as infinite, eternal, and unoriginated ^{[8, 13]}. These attributes are taken for granted in the biblical narrative, which does not argue for God's existence but assumes it ^[1].

Omnipresence: God's Universal Presence

Omnipresence refers to God's presence everywhere at all times. This attribute implies that God is not confined by space or location, but rather fills all of creation ^{[8, 12]}. The Psalmist declares, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there" (Psalm 139:7-8). This passage illustrates the impossibility of escaping God's presence, whether in the highest heavens or the deepest parts of the earth ^[12].

The concept of omnipresence is closely linked to God's infinite and immense being ^[12]. As the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, God necessarily transcends and encompasses all creation ^{[5, 7]}. The apostle Paul states that "in him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28), further emphasizing God's pervasive presence throughout existence ^[3]. This divine presence extends to the natural world, the animal kingdom, and the affairs of humanity, including individual lives and free actions ^[3].

While God is everywhere by His powerful presence, the Bible also speaks of His presence in specific, unique ways. For instance, God was present in the tabernacle and temple in a singular manner, and He dwells in believers through special grace ^[10]. However, these specific manifestations do not negate His universal omnipresence.

Omniscience: God's Infinite Knowledge

Omniscience refers to God's attribute of knowing all things—past, present, and future—perfectly and completely ^[8]. This knowledge is infinite and beyond human comprehension ^[2]. The Bible frequently attests to God's comprehensive knowledge, stating, "O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar" (Psalm 139:1-2). This passage highlights God's intimate knowledge of human actions and even unspoken thoughts ^[9].

God's omniscience is often presented as a direct consequence of His omnipresence; if God is everywhere, then He must know all that occurs everywhere ^[12]. The Psalmist continues, "You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether" (Psalm 139:3-4). This demonstrates that God's knowledge is not limited to observable actions but extends to intentions and unspoken words ^[9].

A key aspect of God's omniscience is His foreknowledge, which is His knowledge of future events ^[2]. Passages such as Acts 2:23, Romans 8:29, and 1 Peter 1:2 speak to God's foreknowledge, indicating that He knows what will happen before it occurs ^[2]. This foreknowledge is not merely predictive but is often understood in conjunction with God's providential governance of all things ^[3]. God's providence, meaning His foresight, involves His preserving and governing all things through secondary causes ^[3]. This includes His knowledge and oversight of the natural world, animal life, and the intricate details of human and individual affairs ^[3].

The Bible also describes God as "only-wise" (Romans 16:27; 1 Timothy 1:17) and "unsearchable" (Job 11:7; Romans 11:33), further emphasizing the depth and incomprehensibility of His knowledge ^[8].

Interrelation and Theological Implications

The attributes of omnipresence and omniscience are deeply interconnected and foundational to understanding God's nature and His relationship with creation. Because God is omnipresent, He is able to be aware of everything; because He is omniscient, His presence is not passive but involves full knowledge and understanding.

These attributes underscore God's sovereignty and control over all things. His knowledge is not dependent on observation but is inherent to His being. The glory of God is exhibited in His majesty, power, and works ^[4]. As the one God, His unity in essence and purpose means He comprehends all His human children, created in His image, in His offer of grace ^[11].

The concept of God's omnipresence and omniscience also has implications for human accountability and worship. Believers are called to approach God with the conviction that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him ^[13]. The understanding that God knows all and is present everywhere encourages reverence, humility, and a recognition of divine authority. The invisible things of God, including His eternal power and Godhead, are understood through the things that have been made, leaving humanity without excuse ^[6].

Sources

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”
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).”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Providence — Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; ”
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”
Colossians “For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him. -- Colossians 1:16”
Romans “Romans 1:20 (YLT) — for the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, by the things made being understood, are plainly seen, both His eternal power and Godhead--to their being inexcusable;”
Ephesians “and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ; -- Ephesians 3:9”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: God — Is a spirit -- Joh 4:24; 2Co 3:17. Is declared to be Light. -- Isa 60:19; Jas 1:17; 1Jo 1:5. Love. -- 1Jo 4:8,16. Invisible. -- Job 23:8,9; Joh 1:18; 5:37; Col 1:15; 1Ti 1:17. Unsearchable. -- Job 11:7; 37:23; Ps 145:3; Isa 40:28; Ro 11:33. Incorruptible. -- Ro 1:23. Eternal. -- De 33:27; Ps 90:2; Re 4:8-10. Immortal. -- 1Ti 1:17; 6:16. Omnipotent. -- Ge 17:1; Ex 6:3. Omniscient. -- Ps 139:1-6; Pr 5:21. Omnipresent. -- Ps 139:7; Jer 23:23. Immutable. -- Ps 102:26,27; Jas 1:17. Only-wise. -- Ro 16:27; 1Ti 1:17. Glorious. -- Ex 15:11; Ps 145:5. Most High. -- Ps 8”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 139 (introduction): Some of the Jewish doctors are of opinion that this is the most excellent of all the psalms of David; and a very pious devout meditation it is upon the doctrine of God's omniscience, which we should therefore have our hearts fixed upon and filled with in singing this psalm. I. This doctrine is here asserted, and fully laid down (Psa 139:1-6). II. It is confirmed by two arguments: - 1. God is every where present; therefore he knows all (Psa 139:7-12). 2. He made us, therefore he knows us (Psa 139:13-16). III. Some inferences are drawn from this doctri”
Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 2:9: For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. This is to be understood, not of the doctrine, or Gospel of Christ, as being a perfect revelation of the will of God; but of Christ, and particularly of his human nature, as consisting of a true body and a reasonable soul, in which the Godhead dwells in a most eminent manner: God indeed is everywhere by his powerful presence, was in the tabernacle and temple in a very singular manner, and dwells in the saints in a way of special grace; but resides in the human nature of Christ, in the highest and most exalt”
1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 2:5: For there is one God--God's unity in essence and purpose is a proof of His comprehending all His human children alike (created in His image) in His offer of grace (compare the same argument from His unity, Rom 3:30; Gal 3:20); therefore all are to be prayed for. Ti1 2:4 is proved from Ti1 2:5; Ti1 2:1, from Ti1 2:4. The one God is common to all (Isa 45:22; Act 17:26). The one Mediator is mediator between God and all men potentially (Rom 3:29; Eph 4:5-6; Heb 8:6; Heb 9:15; Heb 12:24). They who have not this one God by one Mediator, have none: literall”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 139:7: It is of great use to us to know the certainty of the things wherein we have been instructed, that we may not only believe them, but be able to tell why we believe them, and to give a reason of the hope that is in us. David is sure that God perfectly knows him and all his ways, I. Because he is always under his eye. If God is omnipresent, he must needs be omniscient; but he is omnipresent; this supposes the infinite and immensity of his being, from which follows the ubiquity of his presence; heaven and earth include the whole creation, and the Creator fills both ”
Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 11:6: He that cometh to God - The man who professes that it is his duty to worship God, must, if he act rationally, do it on the conviction that there is such a Being infinite, eternal, unoriginated, and self-existent; the cause of all other being; on whom all being depends; and by whose energy, bounty, and providence, all other beings exist, live, and are supplied with the means of continued existence and life. He must believe, also, that he rewards them that diligently seek him; that he is not indifferent about his own worship; that he requires adoration and religious ”

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