Question 38: What does it mean to say that God is infinite?

Answer:

To say that God is infinite means He is without limit in His being, power, knowledge, presence, and goodness. He is beyond all measure, unbounded by time or space, perfectly complete, and eternally unchanging. (Psalm 147:5, Isaiah 40:28, 1 Kings 8:27, Jeremiah 23:24, Romans 11:33)

Full Scripture References

“Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.” — Psalm 147:5 (BSB)

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will never grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.” — Isaiah 40:28 (BSB)

“But will God indeed dwell on earth? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.” — 1 Kings 8:27 (BSB)

“‘Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?’ declares the LORD. ‘Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?’ declares the LORD.” — Jeremiah 23:24 (BSB)

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!” — Romans 11:33 (BSB)

Expanded Explanation of Catechism Question

To confess that God is infinite is to affirm that He is boundless in every perfection—limitless in power, eternal in duration, measureless in presence, and incomprehensible in wisdom. Unlike all created things, God has no edge, end, or deficiency. He cannot be confined to time, space, or form. He exists without origin, exists everywhere fully, and acts without restriction. His infinity means that He is the source of all being, and yet He Himself is dependent on none.

Scripture affirms this truth repeatedly. Solomon declared, “Even heaven… cannot contain You” (1 Kings 8:27), while Isaiah reminds us that God’s understanding is beyond all searching out. His wisdom and judgments, Paul writes, are “unsearchable” (Romans 11:33). To say God is infinite is not simply to describe His greatness, but to recognize His complete otherness—His holiness and transcendence that sets Him above all we know or can imagine.

Article I of the Thirty-Nine Articles affirms that God is “everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness.” This means His being is not made up of parts that can change, weaken, or grow. His knowledge does not grow. His love does not diminish. He is never surprised, never limited, never exhausted. In worship and theology, this infinite nature compels our humility and awe.

Bishop J.C. Ryle wrote, “We are but specks in God’s sight. To understand Him fully is impossible; to trust and worship Him is our great privilege.” The Anglican tradition approaches God’s infinity with reverence and wonder, not with speculation or presumption. The Book of Common Prayer reflects this when it calls God “whose power is infinite, whose wisdom is infallible, and whose mercy is everlasting.” Though infinite, God makes Himself known—most perfectly in Jesus Christ.

And though God is infinite, He is not impersonal. His boundless attributes—His power, wisdom, and love—are directed personally to His creation. His infinite presence means He is always with His people. His infinite mercy means His forgiveness knows no end. His infinite majesty means He is worthy of eternal praise. To know this infinite God through Christ is to be caught up into the eternal life and joy of the Trinity.

Early Church Fathers on Catechism Question

St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD) wrote: “How can the finite understand the infinite? It is enough to know that God is above all we can imagine, for He has made all things and is Himself unmade.” — Against Heresies, 2.28.3

Irenaeus recognized the mystery of God’s infinity as a call to worship, not mere curiosity. Origen of Alexandria (c. 184–253 AD) taught: “God is boundless. There is no measure to His greatness, and His being exceeds all understanding.” — On First Principles, 1.1.6

Origen emphasized that God’s being is without measure and beyond human comprehension. St. Athanasius (c. 296–373 AD) declared: “The Godhead of the Father is infinite and incomprehensible, known fully only to the Son and the Spirit.” — Against the Arians, 1.18

Athanasius grounded the mystery of divine infinity in the eternal relationship of the Trinity. St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) said: “You are infinite, O Lord, and who can comprehend You? Yet You are nearer to us than we are to ourselves.” — Confessions, 1.4

Augustine marveled that the infinite God is also intimately present with His creatures. St. Gregory the Great (c. 540–604 AD) wrote: “God’s greatness knows no bounds. We praise Him best not by grasping fully, but by confessing humbly.” — Moralia in Job, 32.6

Gregory taught that the proper response to God’s infinity is reverence, humility, and worship.