The word “omnipotent” means “all” (omni) “powerful” (potent).

It can be easy, then, to define omnipotence this way: “God can do anything.” Surprisingly, however, this is incorrect! There are things that God cannot do; God cannot…

• Do anything contrary to his nature (lie, break a promise, change)
• Do anything irrational/self-contradictory (2+2=5, create a stone he cannot lift or a four-sided triangle)
• Exhaust his power—God did not use up all his power when he created the universe

There are limits, then to what God can do, but those limits are not from creation. Remember, God created everything, and everything in creation is controlled by and depends upon God!

What “limits” the exercise of God’s power is (1) His nature, attributes, and person, and (2) His will, decree, and purpose.

Whatever God wills to do is done, without any effort or loss of strength.

God can do all things consistent with His nature and purposes.

Scripture—

Job 42:2 “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
Psalm 135:6 “Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.”

Some Practical Applications—

• All the powers of evil are subject to God’s will.
• Believers have great comfort, hope, and trust.
• Unbelievers should be warned and have the greatest fear, for the strongest and greatest are nothing before God Almighty.

Here is a list of Scriptures expressing God’s omnipotence—

Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son. (Gen 18:14)

The LORD said to Moses, “Is the LORD’S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not.” (Num 11:23)

You shall not dread them, for the LORD your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God. (Deut 7:21)

Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the LORD will work for us, for the LORD is not restrained to save by many or by few.” (1 Sam 14:6)

“O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. (2 Chron 20:6)

I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2)

Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. (Psa 135:6)

Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You (Jer 32:17)

All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’ (Dan 4:35)

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matt 6:13)

And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matt 19:26)

And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” (Mark 14:36)

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us (Eph 3:20)

Who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. (Phil 3:21)