36 Bible Verses about the Attributes of God {Free Printable}

A list of Bible verses about the attributes of God to deeply know the characteristics of God from Scripture.

Do you ever wonder about what God is like? Join me in studying the qualities of God as we understand them in Christianity. When you learn God’s attributes, you come to understand who God is, what he is like, and his nature.

36 Bible Verses about the Attributes of God {Free Printable} — Use this Bible study to learn about God’s character.

Table Of Contents

What Do the Attributes of God Mean?
36 Bible Verses about God's Character
Why Study the Attributes of God?
What are the Attributes of God? – Alphabetical List of the Attributes of God
Which List of the Attributes of God is the Right One?
What is the Meaning of Each Name and Attribute of God?
How to Use an Attributes of God Bible Reading Plan
30+ Days Attributes of God Bible Reading Plan – Free Printable Attributes of God PDF

What Do the Attributes of God Mean?

The attributes of God are specific aspects you learn from the Bible about the character of God, who he is, and how he acts.

When you study God’s attributes, you are attempting to wrap your mind around all God is, yet God is beyond human understanding. Whew!

These are concepts you won’t fully understand in this lifetime. That’s okay.

Part of growing in faith is understanding that God, his works, and his ways are beyond you, yet trusting that God has a plan for your life.

36 Bible Verses about God’s Character

Here are Bible passages that we use to study the different properties and names of God. We’ve used the ESV (English Standard Version) and for each one, we list the attribute.

1. Romans 11:33 (Wisdom) – The depth of God’s wisdom.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
Romans 11:33

This verse from Romans reminds me of the common phrase of Christians, “God is God and you are not.” It’s both a challenge and a relief to recognize that I am not in control. When life gets overwhelming, I rest in knowing God has a plan and my ultimate good in mind.

2. James 1:5 (Wisdom) – God generously gives wisdom.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
James 1:5

For the last year or two, every morning during my prayer and journaling time, I ask God to give me wisdom. I pray for God to guide my words, my choices, my actions, and my relationships. I love this verse from James that includes a promise that when we ask for wisdom, God gives it to us.

In the Old Testament, when God gave Solomon the choice to have anything he desired, Solomon chose wisdom. I seek God’s wisdom, too.

3. John 5:26 (Self-Sufficient) – God gave us His Son.

For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.
John 5:26

How wonderful is it that we have Jesus to lead us to God by His life-saving sacrifice on the cross. If we reject Jesus, we reject God. Jesus has made it clear that He and the Father are one – He is part of God and He is God.

4. 2 Corinthians 3:5 (Self-Sufficient) – Everything is from God.

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.
2 Corinthians 3:5

Has God called you to do a work that He has prepared for you to do and you feel unequipped to do that? Remember it is God who works in you and through you. Our own ability is always insufficient for the task, so we rely on God.

5. Genesis 14:19 (Sovereignty) – God is above all things.

And he blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
Genesis 14:19

Like Abram, we as believers are blessed by God. We can trust that His Word is true, and we receive heavenly blessings.

6. Romans 9:15 (Sovereignty) – God chooses to give mercy & compassion.

For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
Romans 9:15

God is sovereign, which means He has the ultimate power and authority. We don’t always understand God’s ways, but we praise and thank Him for giving us life.

There a times that it’s so incredibly hard to trust. For me that’s especially true when it comes to my children. Those are times I remember the ways God has blessed me in the past, and turn to the truth of Scripture, that God is has the ultimate control.

7. 1 Samuel 2:2 (Holiness) – God is our rock.

There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
1 Samuel 2:2

God’s perfect holiness is your safe place. Take refuge in God as your rock. Holy means set apart for worship.

From time to time, we here at The Holy Mess receive questions (and even outright anger) that we’ve put the names “Holy” and “Mess” together. Are we saying God is a mess? No, instead the names means that God takes us as we are – even with our messes – and redeems us. Click here for a video about what The Holy Mess means.

8. Revelation 4:8 (Holiness) – God is holy and to be praised.

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”
Revelation 4:8

I can only imagine what it will be like one day when we are with God our Father and Jesus, among the angels singing “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come.” What a day that will be!

9. Isaiah 9:6 (Trinity) – The Father, Son & Holy Spirit, yet all are one.

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

It is hard to imagine God coming into the world as a newborn at Christmas. No matter how many times I read about Jesus’ birth, I am filled with wonder and praise. God gave us Jesus to become the ultimate sacrifice for our sin.

10. 1 Corinthians 8:6 (Trinity) – We exist for God and through Jesus.

Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
1 Corinthians 8:6

Isn’t it amazing that we can experience God as the Father, as Jesus Christ, and as The Holy Spirit? The Trinity is a hard concept for us to understand, but the thought gives me so much comfort knowing we are surrounded by the one true God that exists as 3 persons, yet all equally God.

11. Acts 15:18 (Omniscience) – God was always here.

Known from of old.
Acts 15:18

What a relief that we can count on the fact that God is always the One in control, and He and will move things in whatever direction they need to go according to His purpose and plan.

What are the things in your life that seem to defy logic or understanding? Trust that God has a plan for you.

12. Ezekiel 11:5 (Omniscience) – God knows all our thoughts.

And the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and he said to me, “Say, Thus says the Lord: So you think, O house of Israel. For I know the things that come into your mind.
Ezekiel 11:5

It’s been said that “what we think, we are.” How often do sinful thoughts enter your mind? God can see your heart, and He knows all your thoughts. While we cannot control the fleeting thoughts that come, we can turn our thoughts to Christ.

13. 1 Corinthians 1:9 (Faithfulness) – God’s is faithful.

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9

Do you know you are set apart as a believer and brought into fellowship with Jesus Christ? When you accepted Jesus as your Savior, the Bible says you became a friend of God.

One of the ways that I focus on God’s faithfulness is intentionally remembering times that God blessed me or gave me strength in the past. God has been faithful, and He does not change.

14. 1 John 1:9 (Faithfulness) – Only God is faithful to forgive.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

In our (Lutheran) church, every worship services starts with a time of confession (we admit our sins and say we are sorry) and absolution (when the pastor or worship leader announces God’s forgiveness).

Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In this verse, God shows His faithfulness. We as believers are cleansed from our sin because of God’s grace and mercy.

15. 1 Corinthians 13 (Love) – Instructions about how to love.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogantor rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13

If you’ve ever been to a Christian wedding, you have probably heard these verses recited as part of the wedding ceremony. God gives us specific instructions on not only how important love is, but how to love. From God’s love for us, we can generously give love to others.

16. Romans 5:5-8 (Love) – God sacrificed His Son for us.

and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:5-8

Even though He hates sin and all kinds of evil, the Lord showed us just how much He loves us with His forgiveness. The power of sin and and death has been broken forever!

This passage in Romans 5 is especially encouraging to me because there are times that I feel like it will be impossible to extend love to someone. Truthfully, I cannot do it on my own, but with the power of the Holy Spirit it becomes possible.

17. Romans 11:36 (Omnipotence) – Everything comes from God.

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:36

I remember as a young child hearing the concept that God had no beginning and no end. My mind could not comprehend that as possible. As I have gotten older, I still don’t understand it. I believe through faith that He has been here forever and always will be.

18. Ephesians 1:11 (Omnipotence) – He works all things according to His will.

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.
Ephesians 1:11

God is all-powerful. The Lord controls all things, past, present, and future. As much as it’s popular to believe that “all roads lead to God”, the Bible is clear that Jesus is the only way to eternal life.

19. Exodus 3:14 (Self-Existence) – Nothing is greater than God.

God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
Exodus 3:14

When God told Moses that He called Himself “I Am Who I Am”, He expressed that “I Am” was all His people would ever need. His message was to Moses then, and it is still true today. God is faithful to every generation.

20. John 1:1-5 (Self-Existence) – God created everything.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:1-5

Jesus, the Word of God, was with God in the beginning for the creation of the world. Jesus is the light that pierces our darkness. God is self-sufficient. He was not created.

21. Isaiah 55:8-9 (Transcendence) – God’s ways are higher than our ways.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9

Have you ever tried to second guess God or try to “help” Him out? I have giggled at the statement, “I plan, and God laughs.” My trying to take control has gotten me into trouble more times than I can count.

God knows exactly what is best for you, and it may not be what you planned or wanted. Yet God’s ways and purpose are higher.

22. John 8:23 (Transcendence) – God is above all things.

He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
John 8:23

Even though Jesus came into the world as a baby and lived among us, His rightful place is beside His Father in Heaven. One day, we as believers will join Him there and be free from sin and evil here on earth.

When I think of God’s ways as higher than mine, it gives me such a sense of peace. I can’t see the complete picture, but God does.

23. Genesis 18:25 (Justice) – The Lord will administer justice.

Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”
Genesis 18:25

Have you been through a life situation that seems incredibly unfair? A few years ago, my husband and I were falsely accused (and taken to court) for something we did not do. It was one of the most painful experiences of my life.

The Bible assures us that God is the judge of all of us. It is not up to us to decide that whatever God decides is unjust.

24. Psalm 99:4 (Justice) – God loves justice.

The King in his might loves justice.
You have established equity;
you have executed justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
Psalm 99:4

God is not like other kings or royalty. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He hates sin. God always does exactly what is right when executing justice. We might not see the results of this in our sinful world, but we can trust that God is in control and ultimate justice will be done.

25. Malachi 3:6 (Immutability) – God never changes.

For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
Malachi 3:6

We know that God is, always has been, and always will be true to His Word. He is a patient God who is unchanging and will never go back on His word. He promised to save the nation of Israel, and through Jesus Christ’s birth, crucifixion, and resurrection, He saves us, too.

26. James 1:17 (Immutability) – God is ever present.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17

Isn’t it wonderful that no matter our circumstances, God never changes and He is always with us? This verse from James 1 reminds me that God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever and we can absolutely count on Him.

27. Hebrews 4:16 (Mercy) – We will receive grace and mercy from God.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16

Do you ever feel nervous or afraid to approach God in prayer when things seem impossible to fix? Be encouraged that He wants you to come to Him without fear. He promises to give mercy.

28. Titus 3:5 (Mercy) – Only God can save us, not our works.

He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3:5

God wants all people to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We cannot do anything to save ourselves. No sin you have committed excludes you from salvation, because it is a free gift from God.

29. Hebrews 13:8 (External) – We can count on Jesus forever.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8

God is unchangeable, and His Son Jesus Christ is unchangeable too. While there are times that I feel God’s presence, at other times it feels like God is far away. During those times, it’s not because God has moved away from me, but because I have moved away from God. Our God does not change.

30. Psalm 102:12 (External) – God has no beginning or end – He is God always.

But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;
you are remembered throughout all generations.
Psalm 102:12

God’s existence had no beginning and no end. We can trust in the same God who was with our ancestors and their ancestors. . . and is the same God with us now and forever.

31. Exodus 34:6-7 (Goodness) – God gives grace and forgiveness.

The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”
Exodus 34:6-7

God gives unending love to all who follow Him. God continues to be merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. He is a kind, loving God to continues to bless us.

32. James 1:17 (Goodness) – God is good, all the time.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17

God is the author of everything that is good. All blessings you have come from God. While you might have worked for your home, possessions, and money, remember that God gave you the skills and ability to work.

33. Psalm 145:17 (Gracious) – God is kind.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works.
Psalm 145:17

Think about the times when God showed up in a miraculous way for you.

Some of the most obvious times in my life were when God unexpectedly provided for us financially. For many years of our marriage, I was a stay-at-home mom and my husband was a pastor. With a house full of children and foster children. our budget was tighter than tight. Many times, our financial stress was a heavy burden.

Yet amazingly, God continued to provide. A gift would come just as a car repair bill was due. God would provide in an unexpected way. God’s kindness was clearly visible.

34. Ephesians 4:7 (Gracious) – Jesus’ sacrifice ensures we receive grace.

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Ephesians 4:7

God gives to you graciously. Because of our sin, what we deserve is death. Yet God does not treat us as we deserve. Instead, he welcomes us home as His precious children.

35. Job 11:7-9 (Omnipresence) – God has no limits.

Can you find out the deep things of God?
    Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?
It is higher than heaven—what can you do?
    Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?
Its measure is longer than the earth
    and broader than the sea.
Job 11:7-9

No human knows the deep things of God. One day, those things may be revealed to us when we receive eternal life. In the meantime, we trust, even when we don’t understand why things are happening around us.

36. 1 Kings 8:27 (Omnipresence) – God is constantly with us.

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!
1 Kings 8:27

In Psalm 119, the Bible says that there is no place we can go where God is not already there. This passage from 1 Kings 8 gives further insight. All of heaven and earth cannot even contain God. God is all around us, with us, and present among us.

Why Study the Attributes of God?

There are many helpful benefits to studying the attributes of God.

Develop a deep understanding of who God is. Studying the attributes of God leads to a deeper understanding of the person of God, his nature, and why he chooses to act in the ways that he does.

Recognize the way God works. My study of the attributes of God has given me a bigger picture view of God, creation, sin, and eternal life. While it doesn’t answer all of life’s big questions, it does put our earthly life, with it’s joys and heartache, into perspective.

Put the focus on God and take it off yourself. You may often come to the Bible looking for specific answers. (This is good – there’s no better place to look.) But it’s also easy to become focused on what you want – peace, comfort, answers, etc. As you begin this study, pray for God to help you shift your focus.

Get to know him because you love him. When you fall in love with someone, you want to know everything about that person. Nothing is too small or boring. You want to spend all the time you can with your loved one. Our relationship with God is the same way. The more you spend time with him and the more you understand who he is, you will fall deeper in love.

What are the Attributes of God? – Alphabetical List of the Attributes of God

This attributes of God list A to Z is included with the 30 Day Bible Reading PDF printable, below.

Keep reading to discover the meaning of each attribute.

Alphabetical Attributes of God PDF — Download this free attributes of God PDF printable below.

Eternal
Faithfulness
Goodness
Gracious
Holiness
Immutability
Justice
Love
Mercy
Omnipotence
Omnipresence
Omniscience
Self-Existence
Self-Sufficient
Sovereignty
Transcendence
Trinity
Wisdom

Which List of the Attributes of God is the Right One?

While researching this study, I learned there is no one set listing of the attributes of God. You might see lists with 30 attributes and some with only 10. Some explain in plain terms and others use theological terminology. There are lists of the top 3 or top 5, and top 7 attributes of God. The Jewish teaching lists 13 attributes of God.

While the beliefs for the attributes of God are deeply rooted in the Bible, many of them are not specifically named by the words we use today. (For example, you won’t see the word “Immutability” in the Bible, but it is a term we used to describe one of God’s attributes.)

This can create some confusion, but don’t get stressed over these minor differences.

You’ll also notice that different listings use words that essentially mean the same thing. Again, not a big deal. (For example, one list might include “Omniscient” while another lists “All-Knowing” which mean the same thing.)

You might see lists of Names of God vs Attributes of God. While there is some overlap (for example, saying God is “Love” fits into both categories), generally the Names of God and the Attributes of God are seen as two different categories.

What is the Meaning of Each Name and Attribute of God?

Here are explanations of each attribute of God in Christianity.

Eternal – God’s existence always was and always will be. God’s existence stretches before creation without end, and stretches into the future without end.
Faithfulness – Everything God promises will happen. God does not lie and can be completely trusted.
Goodness – God not only makes good decisions, his very nature is only goodness and there is no evil in him.
Gracious – God’s nature is that he shows kindness and favor to us. God’s graciousness is a core teaching of the Bible. God extends the ultimate grace to us in giving his son Jesus to pay the price for our sins to give us eternal life. God looks on us with grace and favor throughout our lives.
Holiness – God is completely different from humans because he has no sin, blemish or fault. He is completely pure and righteous.
Immutability – God never changes. He was and will be who he is for all of time.
Justice – God carries out all that is righteous and necessary. He is the perfect judge. Because God’s nature is justice, He is the standard for what is right and wrong.
Love – The love of God is one of the most basic yet complex attributes of God. God loves all people and God’s love is perfect. God’s very being is love itself and this permeates all he says and does.
Mercy – God is actively compassionate and gracious. Because mercy is part of his nature, and God is eternal, God’s mercy is infinite.
Omnipotence – God is all-powerful. There is no one more powerful than God. When we say “God Almighty” this is acknowledging his omnipotence.
Omnipresence – God is present everywhere. God is beyond all time, space, and boundaries. God fills every part of space with his entire being.
Omniscience – God is all-knowing. There is nothing that exists beyond the knowledge of God.
Self-Existence – Also called Aseity, God exists completely in Himself. God was never created and will never die.
Self-Sufficient – God is complete unto himself. God has no need for humanity or creation.
Sovereignty – God is completely independent, influenced by no one, and makes all his own decisions. God is supreme and able to completely carry out his will. God has unlimited power.
Transcendence – Similar to Immutability and Omnipresence, God is beyond all space and time. God cannot be contained. He is not changed by forces of the universe.
Trinity – God is Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit, 3 in 1, yet one God, not 3 gods. The Athanasian Creed declares belief in a Trinitarian God.
Wisdom – God knows everything. Similar to Omniscience, God’s knowing is completely beyond any human understanding. God knows all that is necessary to carry out his will for all of eternity and in all of time and space.

How to Use an Attributes of God Bible Reading Plan

Print this free Attributes of God Bible study guide, below. This includes readings for each attribute of God as well as an alphabetical listing of the attributes of God.

This Bible reading plan is slightly different from our other 30 day Bible reading plans, because this study has 36 verses. There was too much goodness to pack into just 30 verses! If you plan to use this study for one month, double up verses on a few of the days and you’ll be just fine.

To organize your Bible study time and make it especially meaningful, check out The Holy Mess Bible Study Planner.