Character of God in the Bible and Theology

The Bible presents God's character not through abstract philosophical argument but through narrative, law, poetry, and prophetic declaration. Scripture assumes God's existence from its opening verse and proceeds to reveal who he is through his words and deeds ^[1]. This self-disclosure forms the foundation for all biblical theology, establishing attributes that remain consistent across both testaments and that shape the identity of his people.

The Divine Names and Their Significance

Hebrew terminology for God carries theological weight. The name El derives from a root meaning "to be strong," while Elohim (the plural form used throughout Scripture) emphasizes majesty and power ^[1]. The covenant name Yahweh (rendered "LORD" in English translations) appears alongside these titles, anchoring God's character in his faithfulness to promises made across generations. Micah's rhetorical question—"Where is another God like you?"—plays on the prophet's own name ("Who is like the Lord?") and asserts that God's character stands unequaled among the deities of surrounding nations ^[7]. His unfailing love (khesed) and faithfulness mean he can be trusted to act for his people's good regardless of the cost to himself ^[7].

Holiness as the Standard

God's holiness functions as the defining attribute from which other characteristics flow. Leviticus 19:2 establishes the principle: "Be holy, for I am holy"—a command repeated in 1 Peter 1:15-16 ^[2]. This holiness is not merely moral purity but separateness, the quality that distinguishes the Creator from all creation. The character of God himself becomes the standard for human conduct ^[2], and Christ's own holiness (described as spotless, sinless, and guileless in passages like 1 Peter 1:19 and 2:22) reflects the Father's nature perfectly ^[4]. Hebrews 7:26 presents Jesus as "holy, harmless, undefiled," embodying the divine character in human form.

Righteousness, Justice, and Mercy

God's rule displays strength, justice, love, fairness, and righteousness in combination ^[12]. These qualities do not compete but cohere in his governance. Psalm 99:4 celebrates a king who loves justice, while Exodus 34:6-7 (referenced in discussions of God's self-revelation) balances mercy with judgment. The cross demonstrates this integration most clearly: Christ as mediator satisfies both justice and mercy, offering "a more excellent sacrifice than ever was offered" and obtaining "a great, glorious, and excellent salvation" ^[11]. His work as prophet, priest, and king displays superlative excellence in every office ^[11].

The Image of God in Humanity

Genesis 1:27 declares that God created humanity "in his own image" ^[5], a phrase that has generated extensive theological reflection. Calvin acknowledged various patristic and medieval attempts to locate this image in specific faculties (memory, intellect, will), but insisted that any definition must rest on firmer ground than such subtleties ^[10]. The image encompasses relationality (male and female together reflect God), moral capacity, and the call to represent divine rule on earth. Ephesians 4:24 speaks of being "created in righteousness and true holiness," suggesting that the image involves conformity to God's moral character ^[2].

God's Word as Character Revelation

Psalm 33:4 states plainly that "God's word displays his character and his power" ^[8]. Scripture functions not merely as information about God but as the medium through which his nature becomes known. The call to godly fear—described as hatred of evil, wisdom, and a fountain of life—arises from contemplating God's holiness, greatness, goodness, and forgiveness ^[3]. This fear is "filial and reverential" rather than servile ^[3], grounded in relationship with one who is both transcendent and near.

The New Testament presents Christ as "the image of God" (Colossians 1:15) and "the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person" (Hebrews 1:3) ^[9]. Philippians 2:6 describes Christ as existing "in the form of God," a phrase John Gill interprets as referring to divine nature and essence rather than mere outward representation ^[9]. Hebrews 12:2 directs believers to look to Jesus as "the author and perfecter of faith" ^[6], making Christ both the revelation of God's character and the pattern for human transformation into that same character (Romans 8:29) ^[2].

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”
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: 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.”
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 ”
Genesis “God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. -- Genesis 1:27”
Hebrews “looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -- Hebrews 12:2”
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”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 33:4: 33:4-7 God’s word displays his character and his power.”
Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 2:6: Who being in the form of God,.... The Father; being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person. This form is to be understood, not of any shape or figure of him; for as such is not to be seen, it is not to be supposed of him; or any accidental form, for there are no accidents in God, whatever is in God, is God; he is nothing but nature and essence, he is the , the Jehovah, I am what I am; and so is his Son, which is, and was, and is to come, the fountain of all created beings nor does it intend any outward representation and resemblance of hi”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 5.31: and fourteenth books on the Trinity, also the eleventh book of the “City of God.” I acknowledge, indeed, that there is something in man which refers to the Father and the Son, and the Spirit: and I have no difficulty in admitting the above distinction of the faculties of the soul: although the simpler division into two parts, which is more used in Scripture, is better adapted to the sound doctrine of piety; but a definition of the image of God ought to rest on a firmer basis than such subtleties. As for myself, before I define the”
Exodus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Exodus 15:7: And in the greatness of thine excellency,.... Christ has an excellency in him, a greatness of excellency, a superlative one; he has a more excellent name and nature than the angels, being a divine Person; and a more excellent ministry, as man and Mediator, than any of the sons of men, as prophet, priest, and King; and is superlatively excellent in his operations, has wrought out a most excellent righteousness, offered up a more excellent sacrifice than ever was offered, and obtained a great, glorious, and excellent salvation for his people; in consequence of which is ”
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).”

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