What Does It Mean That God Is Omnipotent?
What Does It Mean That God Is Omnipotent?
A Theological Study on the Unlimited Power of God
The term “omnipotent” comes from the Latin omni (meaning “all”) and potens (meaning “powerful”). To say that God is omnipotent is to declare that He possesses unlimited power, that He is able to do all things that are consistent with His nature, and that no force in existence can hinder His sovereign will.
Omnipotence is not merely an abstract attribute. It is foundational to God's role as Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Judge. The infinite scope of God’s power affirms His sovereignty over all creation—visible and invisible, physical and spiritual, temporal and eternal.
1. Omnipotence and Sovereignty: God Can Do All Things
The first implication of omnipotence is that nothing can thwart God's purposes.
Job chapter 42, verse 2 says:
"I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You."
This verse stands as Job’s final confession after encountering the majesty and sovereignty of God. He recognizes that God’s power is not subject to resistance or limitation—He can and will accomplish all that He decrees.
Similarly, in Numbers chapter 11, verse 23, the Lord rebukes Moses' doubt:
"And the Lord said to Moses, 'Has the Lord’s arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not.'"
The rhetorical question emphasizes that God’s power is never inadequate.
2. Omnipotence in Creation: Power by His Word
Nowhere is God’s omnipotence more clearly seen than in the act of creation ex nihilo—creating all things from nothing by His word alone.
Genesis chapter 1, verse 3:
"Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light."
Psalm chapter 33, verse 6 confirms:
"By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth."
Unlike man, who requires tools and raw material, God creates by the sheer power of His will. His word alone sustains the vastness of the cosmos.
3. Omnipotence in Preservation and Providence
God’s power is not only displayed in creation but also in the preservation of creation. All things continue to exist and function because of His sustaining power.
Psalm chapter 36, verse 6 says:
"Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast."
The limits of nature—such as the boundaries of the oceans—are upheld by God's decrees:
Job chapter 38, verses 8 through 11 says:
"Or who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth and issued from the womb; when I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band; when I fixed My limit for it, and set bars and doors; when I said, 'This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop!'”
4. Omnipotence over Nations and Powers
God exercises dominion over kings, kingdoms, and demonic forces.
Daniel chapter 2, verse 21 says:
"And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding."
Satan is not a rival to God's power. In Job chapters 1 and 2, Satan must receive permission from God to afflict Job:
Job chapter 1, verse 12: "And the Lord said to Satan, 'Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.' So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord."
Job chapter 2, verse 6: "And the Lord said to Satan, 'Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.'"
Christ echoed this truth when speaking to Pilate:
John chapter 19, verse 11:
"Jesus answered, 'You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.'"
5. God Cannot Contradict His Nature
Being all-powerful does not mean God can do anything without qualification. Omnipotence never implies the ability to do what is logically contradictory or morally inconsistent with His nature.
Numbers chapter 23, verse 19:
"God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent."
Titus chapter 1, verse 2:
"In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began."
Hebrews chapter 6, verse 18:
"That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie..."
These verses confirm that God's omnipotence is holy omnipotence—He cannot sin, lie, or deny Himself.
6. Christ’s Omnipotence: Divine Power Incarnate
Jesus Christ, being the eternal Son of God, possesses omnipotence.
His miracles display this power:
Healing diseases (Mark chapter 1, verses 40–42)
Calming storms (Mark chapter 4, verses 37–41)
Multiplying loaves and fish (Mark chapter 6, verses 30–44)
Raising the dead (John chapter 11, verses 38–44; Mark chapter 5, verses 35–43)
Regarding His authority over death, Jesus says in John chapter 10, verse 18:
"No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."
Even as He submitted to death, He demonstrated omnipotence in resurrection, fulfilling Philippians chapter 2, verses 5 through 11, where He is exalted above all for His humility and obedience unto death.
7. Shared Power: Strength Through Union with Christ
God’s power is shared with believers who walk in faith and obedience. It sustains us, strengthens us, and secures us for eternity.
Second Corinthians chapter 12, verse 9:
"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Ephesians chapter 3, verse 20:
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us..."
Second Timothy chapter 1, verse 12:
"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day."
Jude verse 24:
"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy..."
8. Eternal Worship of Divine Power
The omnipotence of God will be the theme of heavenly praise for all eternity:
Revelation chapter 19, verse 1:
"After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, 'Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!'"
Conclusion: All Power Belongs to God
God’s omnipotence means that He is able to accomplish all that He desires. It assures us that no promise of God will fail, no enemy will overcome Him, and no circumstance is beyond His control.
Let us trust in His power, worship His majesty, and draw strength from His might—knowing that our God is able, and His power is without end.
As Psalm chapter 62, verse 11 says:
"God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God."
