The essence of God is understood as His fundamental, divine nature—Who He is in Himself, beyond human comprehension, characterized by self-existence, infinity, perfection, and unity, often described as pure Being or Esse (to be). In Christianity, this single divine essence is shared equally by the three persons of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) but remains a profound mystery, understood through His attributes (love, power, goodness) and actions, rather than fully grasped conceptually.
Key Concepts of God's Essence
- Divine Being/Nature: It's God's intrinsic reality, the source of His existence, often linked to the Latin esse (to be) and Greek ousia.
- Incomprehensibility: God's essence is beyond full human understanding, remaining a mystery, though His attributes are revealed.
- Simplicity & Unity: God's essence is indivisible and simple; His attributes (like love, wisdom, power) aren't separate parts but are identical to His being.
- Self-Existence & Eternity: God's essence is uncaused, eternal, and the ultimate "first principle," as stated in Exodus 3:14, "I am who I am".
- The Trinity: The three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) share the same one divine essence, making them co-equal and co-eternal.
- Distinction from Energies (Eastern Orthodoxy): While the essence is unknowable, God's energies (His divine activities and interactions in the world) are how humans experience Him.
Core Attributes (Expressions of the Essence)
- Love: God isn't just loving; He is love, seen as central to His being.
- Power, Wisdom, Goodness, Justice: These are inherent to His essence, not just qualities He possesses.
- Unchanging: God's essence is eternal and immutable.
In essence, God's essence is His ultimate, uncreated reality, the infinite "whatness" of God that makes Him God, experienced through His divine attributes and works, but never fully grasped by finite minds.
https://www.google.com/search?q=the+essence+of+God&rlz
““Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.”
Matthew 7:12 MSG
Matthew 7:12 MSG
https://bible.com/bible/97/mat.7.12.MSG