Omnipotence

Omnipotence is the divine attribute by which God is all-powerful — able to do anything that is consistent with his nature and will. The Nicene Creed opens with its profession: "I believe in one God, the Father almighty." God's omnipotence is not raw unlimited power but the power of infinite love and wisdom directed toward the good (CCC 268).

What Omnipotence Means

God's power is universal — "nothing is impossible for God" (Luke 1:37). He created the universe from nothing, raises the dead, forgives sins, and will bring history to its consummation. His power is not constrained by any external force or limitation. He holds all creation in existence at every moment simply by willing it (CCC 268–269).

What Omnipotence Does Not Mean

Omnipotence does not mean God can do what is logically contradictory or contrary to his own nature. God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18), cannot sin, cannot cease to exist. These are not limitations of his power — they are expressions of his perfect goodness. God cannot violate the laws of logic because he is the ground of all truth (CCC 271).

The Paradox of the Stone

The famous "Can God make a stone so heavy he can't lift it?" paradox is a logical contradiction, not a genuine challenge to omnipotence. A being of infinite power cannot be constrained by self-referential contradictions — the question is grammatically formed but logically empty, like asking for a round square (CCC 271).

Frequently Asked Questions

If God is all-powerful, why does he permit evil? God's omnipotence includes the power to draw good from evil — supremely demonstrated in the cross. He permits evil not because he lacks power but because he respects human freedom and has a greater purpose in view. His power is revealed most fully not in preventing suffering but in redeeming it (CCC 309–312).