Divine Omniscience: An Exploration of God’s Incommunicable Attributes 

Divine Omniscience: An Exploration of God’s Incommunicable Attributes 

Jack Kettler 

Abstract 

This study examines the divine attribute of omniscience, a characteristic unique to God, distinguished among His incommunicable attributes. In contrast to communicable attributes such as love, wisdom, and forgiveness, which humanity may partially reflect, omniscience remains exclusive to the divine nature. Drawing on scriptural exegesis, theological commentary, and systematic reflection, this article examines the biblical foundation, theological implications, and relational significance of God’s omniscience, highlighting its role in affirming God’s sovereignty, eternity, and self-sufficient knowledge.

Introduction 

The doctrine of God’s incommunicable attributes—those qualities exclusive to the divine essence—distinguishes the Creator from His creation. Among these, omniscience stands as a defining characteristic, encapsulating God’s perfect and exhaustive knowledge of all things, actual and possible, past, present, and future. This paper investigates the nature of divine omniscience, grounding its analysis in scriptural revelation, supported by theological exposition, and culminating in reflections on its implications for theistic belief and human experience.

Defining Divine Omniscience 

Omniscience may be defined as God’s perfect knowledge, whereby He comprehends Himself and all things—actual, possible, and contingent—in a single, eternal, and simple act. As articulated by systematic theologians, this attribute denotes God’s infinite understanding, unconditioned by time, space, or external sources (Isaiah 40:14). Unlike human knowledge, which is finite, derivative, and dependent upon divine revelation, God’s omniscience is absolute, encompassing the entirety of reality with unerring clarity (Psalms 147:5; Hebrews 4:13).

Scripture attests to this attribute through manifold affirmations of God’s all-encompassing knowledge. Psalms 147:5 declares, “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.” Similarly, Proverbs 15:3 asserts, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” These passages, among others (e.g., Isaiah 41:21–24; John 21:17; Romans 11:33), highlight God’s comprehensive awareness of all creation, from the intricacies of the cosmos to the innermost thoughts of human hearts.

Biblical Foundations of Omniscience 

The scriptural testimony to God’s omniscience spans both Testaments, revealing its centrality to the divine nature and relation to creation. Key passages include:

• Psalms 147:5: God’s understanding is described as infinite, transcending human comprehension and encompassing all reality.

• Proverbs 15:3: The omnipresence of God’s gaze signifies His comprehensive knowledge of all moral actions.

• Isaiah 41:21–24: God’s challenge to false gods highlights His unique ability to foreknow and declare future events, a hallmark of His omniscience.

• Matthew 9:4: Christ’s knowledge of human thoughts demonstrates the omniscience of the Son.

• 1 Corinthians 2:10: The Spirit’s searching of “the deep things of God” affirms the omniscience of the Holy Spirit.

• Hebrews 4:13: All creation is “naked and exposed” before God, signifying the transparency of all things to His knowledge.

These texts collectively affirm that omniscience is an attribute shared by all persons of the Trinity, as evidenced in Romans 11:33 (the Father), Matthew 9:4 (the Son), and 1 Corinthians 2:10 (the Holy Spirit).

Theological Exposition 

Theological reflection on omniscience reveals its integral connection to other divine attributes, notably eternity, omnipresence, and omnipotence. As Geerhardus Vos notes, God’s omniscience is inseparable from His omnipresence, as articulated in Psalms 139, where divine knowledge is portrayed as the cognitive dimension of God’s all-pervading presence (Jeremiah 23:23–24). Similarly, God’s eternity ensures that His knowledge transcends temporal limitations, encompassing all moments simultaneously (Isaiah 43:8–12). The doctrine of creation further grounds omniscience, as God’s act of bringing all things into being presupposes His perfect knowledge of His creation (Psalms 33:15; Isaiah 29:15).

Gordon H. Clark’s exposition in “Predestination” provides a robust framework for understanding the nature of God’s knowledge. Clark argues that divine omniscience is not empirical or derived from observation of created realities but is self-originated, rooted in God’s eternal self-knowledge. As Clark states, “God’s knowledge is self-originated; he does not learn from any outside source” (Clark, 1969, p. 43). This perspective underscores the sovereignty and self-sufficiency of divine knowledge, distinguishing it from human epistemology, which is contingent and limited.

Omniscience and Human Freedom 

A perennial question in theological discourse concerns the compatibility of divine omniscience with human free will. If God foreknows all human actions, including those resulting from free choices, does this knowledge undermine human freedom? Vos addresses this tension, noting that divine omniscience presupposes the certainty of events without causally determining them. God’s knowledge of contingent human actions does not negate their freedom but reflects a predetermining element within the divine decree, to which His knowledge attaches (Vos, 1986, pp. 2191–2192). This view avoids the pitfalls of “scientia media”, which posits a divine knowledge dependent on human choices, thereby compromising God’s aseity and eternity.

Religious Significance 

The doctrine of omniscience holds profound implications for the religious life. First, it offers comfort to the faithful, assuring them that God fully understands their experiences, even when misunderstood by others (Psalms 19:12; 139:23–24). Second, it serves as a deterrent to sin, particularly hidden sin, by reminding believers that all things are transparent before God (Hebrews 4:13). Third, it fulfills humanity’s longing for self-knowledge, as God’s omniscience provides the ultimate source of truth about the self (Psalms 51:6).

Conclusion 

Divine omniscience, as an incommunicable attribute, magnifies the transcendence and sovereignty of God. Rooted in scriptural revelation and elucidated by theological reflection, it affirms God’s perfect and eternal knowledge of all things, from the vastness of creation to the innermost thoughts of humanity. This doctrine not only underscores the distinction between Creator and creature but also invites believers to trust in God’s comprehensive understanding and to live in light of His all-seeing presence. As Psalms 147:5 proclaims, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite,” calling us to worship and magnify the God whose knowledge is boundless and whose grace is unmerited.

References 

1. Clark, G. H. (1969). Predestination. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing. 

• Gill, J. (2011). Exposition of the Old and New Testaments: Psalms. Multi-Media Labs: Grace Works. 

• Poole, M. (1985). Commentary on the Holy Bible (Vol. 3). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers. 

• Vos, G. (1986). Omniscience. In J. Orr (Ed.), International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (pp. 2191–2192). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

Declaration

“For transparency, I note that I used Grok, an AI tool developed by xAI, and Grammarly AI for editorial assistance in drafting, organizing, and refining the manuscript’s clarity and grammar, as indicated in the article’s attribution. All theological arguments, exegesis, and interpretations are my own, and I take full responsibility for the content.” –  Jack Kettler