22. GOD’S INVISIBLE QUALITIES

DR. EARL PARVIN

11/15/21

²⁰ For 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, so that people are without excuse. [Rom 1:20].

As a believer, we really want to know God. For me that means Elohim God, the Three in One, the Triune God of the Bible. Not one of the avatars of the 330 million Hindu fake gods, or Allah, the Muslim god, who has no “likeness” they say, or a cloudy, wispy, unknowable but terribly feared & meticulously appeased animistic god of the animist.

Being a Creationist I was intrigued one day while reading in a Creation Journal an article noting a passage found in Romans, as quoted above, for which I had been searching to study. I wanted to know what Greek word had been translated “made” to more fully understand my God. Just maybe the English translation “made” could have built in it some innuendo that could enhance or reinforce my understanding about my God.

Sure enough. The Greek term [poiamsin] includes alternate possibilities. The Greek word makes it abundantly clear that the Maker in the word “made” is implying not a novice, but a Master Craftsman. Notice, what He has made is as important as the making of a “will” written by an accomplished lawyer. He is as a painter who has made a detailed perfect work of art. He is as a poet laureate whose poetry was renown and admired by all. He is a Master Craftsman! That is so much more full of meaning.

 Wow, no wonder Paul goes on to say “people are without excuse” to know God. He has revealed Himself so He could be known as the One and Only. My Elohim!

Further, in this passage we read that what my God has so perfectly made is a created world. The more I learn about this creation is that it is perfectly and meticulously designed and executed.

Fascinating. I was taught in my education that somehow “empty space” just self-assembled from a pre-existent mass which somehow became a super-compressed “singulariy” which exploded in a big bang followed immediately by an instantaneous ongoing eternal inflation extending over eons of time. During which eons clouds of dust gathered miraculously into stars, galaxies and even planets. One planet called Earth spawned one-celled paramecium which over time came forth out of the primal depths as land air breathing animals & mankind. Now this is the scenario invented by man which required everything to happen by chance through trial and error with the survival of the fittest because…

“though they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools ²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles” [Ro 1:21-23].

To the evolutionist’s credit I must add, he has discovered how accurately things appear to the observer so that they can be discovered, that he has unknowingly given Nature Divine Characteristics which he calls Natural Selection.

Paul adds that it is not good to rob God of His rightful honor because “¹⁸ The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them” [Ro 1:18-19].

God says He will reveal His “INVISIBLE QUALITIES” [KJV invisible “things”] through the “things made”. First we know God is a Spirit; therefor, invisible. [Col 1:15 “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation”]. Fortunately Paul is led to go on and indicate which of the many invisible qualities are being made known: “His Eternal Power & Divine Nature”.

The KJV translates the later quality as “Godhead”. The Greek term is “theioteis” from “theos”. The root means any god. The former term is only used once meaning “THE ONLY TRIUNE GOD. Another form only used once also [theoteis] is found in Col 2:9 “ For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,”.

So it is abundantly clear that God has revealed Himself, “The invisible One” as Incarnate Christ, Son of God made in the flesh so we could “see Him” [Jn 14:7,9] and so that His flesh could die as our sin debt to the Father.

Another “Invisible Quality” being revealed is His “Eternal Power”. I was intrigued with reading this chapter that Paul was impressed to use this phrase two other times: 1:4 & 1;16. The Greek word “dunamis” is translated “Power”. The root meaning comes from the infinity form “to be able”. This term “Power” along with the term “Godhead” are both modified with the term “aidios” meaning “eternal”. Its root is “aei” meaning “always”. Thus it is made clear that this ability or power is always available. It is never limited. It is to be available to each of the members of the Trinity. The Son is not limited even in His Death on the cross. He willingly “gave up his spirit” [“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit” Mt 27:50; Jn 19:30]. Then He arose! “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. [Mt 28:6; Mk 16:6; Lk 24:6].

SUMMARY

I am filled with praise to verify what my limited brain can understand about the One to whom I have placed my whole life. He said that He would reveal Himself to those who would believe. I have found Him to be so faithful. Never failing. Always there.

Paul has packed so much in this peon of respect. Paul was so understanding of the power of God as contrasted with the power of sin. He talked about it in this Epistle alone 12 times.

God Bless.