What does it mean that God is omnificent?

Answer

The term omnificence denotes the capacity to create all things or possess boundless power for creation. While not commonly used in English, omnificence accurately portrays God’s limitless ability to create all things, as stated in the initial verse of the Bible: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” «In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. », (Genesis 1:1).

Colossians 1:15–17 similarly confirms God’s omnificence, particularly in Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity: “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

God’s omnificence is a facet of His omnipotence, signifying His infinite power. God surpasses any created being or object in strength and power. In Job 37:23, Elihu declares, “The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.” Jeremiah 32:17 states, “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” God holds the ability to accomplish all things.

Another divine attribute linked to omnificence is God’s omniscience, representing His infinite knowledge. God’s omniscience complemented His omnificence in creation: “By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place” «The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; By understanding hath he established the heavens. », (Proverbs 3:19).

Being omniscient and having created all things, God naturally knows all things. First John 3:20 says that God is greater than our hearts and He knows all things. Isaiah 46:10 says that God knows the future as well as the past: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.” He knows us through and through; He knows our very thoughts, even before they are formed in our minds: “Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely” «For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. », (Psalm 139:4).

The Bible reveals many other attributes of God as well. In many ways God’s creative work is an expression of His attributes. For example, “Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made” «For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: », (Romans 1:20).

Psalm 104 is full of praise for our omnificent God:

“How many are your works, Lord!

In wisdom you made them all;

the earth is full of your creatures.

There is the sea, vast and spacious,

teeming with creatures beyond number—

living things both large and small” (verses 24–25).

The psalm also praises God for the creation of light, the clouds, the wind, the seas, the mountains, the valleys, the beasts of the field, the birds of the sky, the trees, the sun and moon, and the very rhythm of life. All is proof of God’s omnificence.

Psalm 40:5 wonders at the depth of God’s omnificence: “Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. . . . None can compare with you;”Should I speak and recount your deeds, they would be too numerous to declare.” God’s creative power is boundless and surpasses our complete understanding. He is our all-powerful Creator, our Sustainer, and our sole source of eternal life. “For in him we live and move and exist” «for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. », (Acts 17:28).