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Using Biblical Examples to Illustrate God's Attributes Theologically

The Bible frequently illustrates God's attributes through specific examples, both in direct declarations and through the actions of biblical figures, particularly Jesus Christ. These examples provide concrete demonstrations of abstract theological concepts.

One of God's fundamental attributes is His power and glory. The psalmist declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork" (Psalm 19:1) [7]. This verse highlights God's creative power and majesty, evident in the natural world. Similarly, Psalm 29 encourages trust in God by celebrating His mighty power, particularly as demonstrated in His dominion over natural phenomena [15]. The prophet Isaiah also speaks of glorifying God for His faithfulness and truth, and for His wondrous works and judgments (Isaiah 25:1, 3; Matthew 15:31; Acts 4:21; Revelation 14:7) [6]. Even in times of judgment, such as when the Philistines were afflicted, they were instructed to "Give glory to the God of Israel" (1 Samuel 6:5), acknowledging His power to both inflict and lift affliction [8].

God's holiness is another attribute frequently emphasized. Revelation 15:4 speaks of glorifying God for His holiness [6]. This attribute is often understood in contrast to human sinfulness. The concept of sin is pervasive throughout scripture, with various examples illustrating its nature. The first sin, committed by Adam and Eve, is described not merely as eating forbidden fruit, but as a profound act of self-love, dishonor to God, ingratitude, and disobedience, demonstrating a preference for the creature over the Creator [11]. Sin is also understood as a state of being, with all human beings born as sinners (Psalm 51:5) [9]. While the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly strive against it (Romans 7:19-23; James 4:1-10) [9]. Deliberate sins are characterized by an insolent or arrogant attitude, and rebellion is considered a "great sin" (Psalm 19:13; 32:1) [12]. The apostle John states that "He that committeth sin is of the devil," contrasting this with those who do righteousness (1 John 3:8) [10]. This does not imply a literal begetting by the devil, but rather an imitation of his actions, leading to corruption [10]. The Bible also addresses the ongoing reality of sin even after conversion, noting that to claim "we have not sinned" is to make God a liar (1 John 1:10) [14]. God's anger, therefore, is not an arbitrary emotional outburst, but a necessary and holy response to sin, as depicted throughout the Old Testament and predicted for the end of history (Exodus 32:10-12; Numbers 11:1; Jeremiah 21:3-7; Romans 1:18) [13].

The attribute of God's compassion and liberality is also extensively illustrated. God's compassion is a motive for communion with Him (Matthew 13:27, 33) [3]. Liberality, or generosity, is pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 9:7; Hebrews 13:16) and He never forgets acts of generosity (Hebrews 6:10) [4]. This attribute is exemplified by Christ, who set an example of liberality (2 Corinthians 8:9) [4]. Saints are characterized by liberality (Psalm 112:9; Isaiah 32:8), which should be exercised in service to God, towards other saints, servants, the poor, strangers, enemies, and indeed all people (Romans 12:13; Galatians 6:10; Deuteronomy 15:11-14; Isaiah 58:7; Leviticus 25:35; Proverbs 25:21; Matthew 5:42; Luke 12:33) [4]. However, liberality without love is deemed unprofitable (1 Corinthians 13:3) [4].

Humility is another divine attribute, though often seen in the context of human response to God. God regards the humble (Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 66:2), hears them (Psalm 9:12; Isaiah 10:17), and they enjoy His presence (Isaiah 57:15) [1]. God delivers, lifts up, and exalts the humble (Job 22:29; James 4:10; Luke 14:11; 18:14) [1]. Christ Himself is presented as the ultimate example of humility (Matthew 11:29; John 13:14-15; Philippians 2:5-8) [1]. Humility is necessary for serving God (Micah 6:8) and is a characteristic of saints (Psalm 34:2) [1].

The attribute of faithfulness is central to God's character and is also exemplified by Christ. The author of Hebrews compares Jesus to Moses, presenting Jesus as the supreme example of faithfulness (Hebrews 3:1-6) [16]. This comparison highlights Jesus's incomparable greatness, even when contrasted with a revered figure like Moses [16]. Trust in God produces holy boldness (Isaiah 50:7), and faithfulness to God is a source of boldness (1 Timothy 3:13) [5]. This boldness is expressed through faith in Christ (Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 10:19) and is a characteristic of saints (Proverbs 28:1) [5]. Christ Himself set an example of holy boldness (John 7:26) [5].

The concept of "God" itself is rooted in ancient terms signifying strength and divinity. The Hebrew 'El, 'Eloah, and 'Elohim all convey the idea of strength, with 'Elohim being the most commonly used plural form in the Bible [2]. The name Jehovah, often rendered "LORD" in English translations, is another primary term for the Supreme Being [2]. The Bible does not argue for God's existence but takes it as a given [2].

Sources

  1. 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, ”
  2. 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”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
  5. 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”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glorifying God — Commanded -- 1Ch 16:28; Ps 22:23; Isa 42:12. Due to him -- 1Ch 16:29. For his Holiness. -- Ps 99:9; Re 15:4. Mercy and truth. -- Ps 115:1; Ro 15:9. Faithfulness and truth. -- Isa 25:1. Wondrous works. -- Mt 15:31; Ac 4:21. Judgments. -- Isa 25:3; Eze 28:22; Re 14:7. Deliverance. -- Ps 50:15. Grace to others. -- Ac 11:18; 2Co 9:13; Ga 1:24. Obligation of saints to -- 1Co 6:20. Is acceptable through Christ -- Php 1:11; 1Pe 4:11. Christ, an example of -- Joh 17:4. Accomplished by Relying on his promises. -- Ro 4:20. Praising him. -- Ps 50:23. Doing all ”
  7. Psalms “The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. -- Psalms 19:1”
  8. I Samuel “I Samuel 6:5 (BSB) — Make images of your tumors and of the rats that are ravaging the land. Give glory to the God of Israel, and perhaps He will lift His hand from you and your gods and your land.”
  9. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  10. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
  11. Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
  12. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
  13. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  14. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
  15. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 29 (introduction): Trust in God is encouraged by the celebration of His mighty power as illustrated in His dominion over the natural world, in some of its most terrible and wonderful exhibitions. (Psa 29:1-11) Give--or, "ascribe" (Deu 32:3). mighty--or, "sons of the mighty" (Psa 89:6). Heavenly beings, as angels.”
  16. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 3:1: 3:1-6 The author compares Jesus to Moses, setting Jesus forward as the supreme example of faithfulness. The great status of Moses, a revered figure in Judaism, is used to show the incomparable greatness of Jesus. 3:1 dear brothers and sisters who belong to God: Literally holy brothers. Speakers and writers of the ancient world often addressed religious gatherings as “brothers” (Greek adelphoi), referring to both men and women. • think carefully about this Jesus: Focusing on Jesus is a primary means of persevering in the faith (2:9; 12:1-2). • God’s messenger (lite”
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