This is a continuation of a series on the attributes of God.
When we speak of God’s attributes, we are talking about those characteristics that help us to understand who He truly is. One of these attributes is “omniscience.” In other words, God is the all-knowing One.
Where it is in the Bible
“God’s understanding is infinite.”
(Psalm 147:5)
“Known to God from all eternity are all His works.”
(Acts 15:18)
“Oh the depth of His riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”
(Romans 11:33)
“God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.”
(1 John 3:20)
“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
(Hebrews 4:13)
“God will judge the secret things of men by Jesus Christ…”
(Romans 2:16)
What it means
When we say God is omniscient, we mean that He knows all that there is to know. There is nothing that is outside the scope of His conception, understanding, or attention. God neither studies nor learns for one cannot increase a knowledge that is already insurmountable. Neither does probability exist for God; all things either are or are not in His perspective. There is no maybe. There are no potentially infinite realities. There is one reality and God knows it in its entirety, as it exists by, through, and for Him.
Why it matters
God is neither surprised by the way the world works itself out, nor shocked by the choices we make. Omniscience is the passive end of His providence — the working out of God’s predetermined purpose via His sovereignty (that is, His mastery over all that is) — in that it is the means by which providence can exist, but neither the engine nor the fuel that brings about His action.
