God has no material body and he is not subject to human limitations. While his spiritual nature is clearly inferred in Scripture, it is seldom directly stated; the emphasis is on his dynamic, living personhood.
God as spirit
John 4:24 See also Isaiah 28:5–6, Isaiah 31:3
God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
God is not subject to physical limitations
1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Kings 18:27 Elijah's mockery of Baal implies a contrast with the true God who is not subject to the limitations suggested; Job 10:4–8; Psalm 121:3–4
God as the Spirit
Psalm 139:7 See also Psalm 51:11 The Spirit and the presence of God are equated; Psalm 143:10 God's guidance and the Spirit's leading are equated; Isaiah 34:16 God's Spirit participates in God's plans; 2 Corinthians 3:17–18
Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?
God cannot be represented physically
Images of God are prohibited
Exodus 20:4, Exodus 34:17; Leviticus 26:1; Acts 17:29
God transcends spacial limitations
Acts 17:24 See also 1 Kings 8:27 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:18; 2 Chronicles 2:6; Acts 7:48–50
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands.
God is invisible
1 Timothy 6:15–16 See also Exodus 33:20; Deuteronomy 4:15–19; John 1:18; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17
which the blessed and only Sovereign One— the King of kings and Lord of lords— will bring about in His own time. He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.