The Invisible God: What Does It Mean That God is Invisible?
God is Invisible
An important but often neglected attribute of God is that He is invisible. It seems more people discuss “invisibility” as a theoretical super power than discuss it as a characteristic of God. Yet, the importance of understanding this attribute and its implications is far weightier than hearing the answer to the hypothetical question: Would you rather be invisible or be able to fly?
So, what does it mean that God is invisible? The Bible affirms the invisibility of God in three separate passages in the New Testament. The original Greek word (aoratos) is variously translated as “invisible” or “unseen.” It describes something that has no visible form. The Bible is filled with many visions and manifestations of God’s glory and presence. These appearances are not contradictions to this truth. God is spirit and without physical form by nature. However, He is capable of manifesting a visible representation when it suits His purposes. The teaching of the New Testament is not that God is unable to manifest visible forms which are capable of being seen. Instead, these statements are a declaration that these manifestations are not God but are merely representations of His presence and glory. For example, when God manifested His presence as a pillar of cloud and fire while leading His people through the wilderness, it would be a mistake to think that God was the pillar of cloud and/or fire. These visible things were not God. God is without form and is invisible. It is important to understand this because human beings are prone to wanting a visual representation. This is one reason why idols are so prevalent. By creating a form, we have an object that we can then direct our worship toward. The true and living God is without visible form and God commands His people to make no image or likeness to worship (Exodus 20:4–6; Deuteronomy 5:8–10). God Himself provided the only likeness that is suitable: Jesus the Christ.
Let’s take a look at each of the New Testament passages that affirm this truth and contemplate the implications for walking with God.
The Invisible God
The three passages that affirm the truth that God is invisible in the New Testament are:
Colossians 1:15
1 Timothy 1:17
Hebrews 11:27
The word itself, aoratos, appears in the New Testament two more times. In Romans 1:20 the Apostle Paul writes:
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20, bold added)
The point is that the form of the visible creation demonstrates clearly the power and divinity of the Creator. Although the Maker of all things is not visible Himself, what He has made speaks of His glorious power and nature. A similar analogy has been made about a number of artistic works or architectural structures. Although you may not see the one who formed these particular works, the visible thing speaks of the genius and character of the one who formed it.
The Apostle Paul doesn’t limit God’s creative work simply to the things that are seen. God is the Creator of all things, even the things we cannot see.
For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:16)
In its context, Paul is making this statement about Jesus the Christ and referring to Him as the Creator. This claim is astonishing on its own. Immediately before this, Paul makes an even more amazing statement in Colossians 1:15, which is the first of our three verses affirming the invisibility of God.
Colossians 1:15a
He is the image of the invisible God… (Colossians 1:15)
This verse is often discussed because of the other half of the passage. The interpretive discussions around the latter half of the verse often obscure the first half which is most relevant for our discussion on God’s invisibility.
God forbade His people from making an image and worshiping the image they made. No suitable image could have ever been formed by us as humans. However, God did plan to give a visible and tangible representation of Himself which was suitable to His glory and nature. He did so in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth.
Christ came into the world to save sinners. He also came to be the image (literally, the icon or likeness) of God on earth.
As we read the Scriptures, we read about Christ’s work and nature. What is absent is a description of His appearance. The prophet Isaiah gave us the lengthiest description of the visible form and outward appearance of the Messiah:
For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. (Isaiah 53:2, bold added)
Despite this, humans have a long history of attempting to capture the image and likeness of Christ. When someone says the name, “Jesus,” you almost certainly have an image that appears in your mind of what you think He looked like. Are you aware that your idea is incorrect?
The truth is we don’t know what Jesus looked like. It seems that many people are drawn to a version of Jesus which artists depict. A rendering who looks like them, with features prominent amongst their own people group. These artistic representations are attempting to get people to be drawn to an idea of Jesus based on His physical appearance. This is contrary to what Isaiah described.
Instead of seeking a Jesus who looks like us, we should seek to look upon the image God has provided. The works and character of Jesus shine brightly regardless of the color of His skin or His facial bone structure. The righteous Son of God is the image and likeness that God has provided. Don’t fall for a more comfortable or familiar substitute.
For more on this, don’t miss our related articles:
Don’t Worship a Golden Calf Jesus
When Moses was on the mountain meeting with the living God, the people formed a golden calf and called it by the name of the LORD (Exodus 32). Paul quoted from this passage in 1 Corinthians 10:7 when warning Christians to flee from idolatry.
Remind yourself and others daily of this truth! For a great daily reminder, check out our No Golden Calves coffee mug in our store.
Also, you may enjoy this video:
1 Timothy 1:17
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17, bold added)
This verse likewise affirms that God has no visible form. Paul asserts this glorious truth and attribute of God along with other attributes. The fact that God is King, eternal, immortal, and worthy of all honor and glory are all worthy of much discussion and contemplation. These truths are appropriately proclaimed in all the earth. (We have articles on these, too! Click the links to read them.)
We should likewise be equipped and eager to proclaim that God is invisible.
Hebrews 11:27
By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. (Hebrews 11:27)
This passage is speaking of the faith of Moses. Moses saw many amazing manifestations of God. He asked God boldly to show him His glory (Exodus 33:18). Even with everything that Moses saw and the nearness he had with God, God answered Moses’ request plainly:
But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” (Exodus 33:20)
God, in all of His essence and glory, is invisible. He is unseen. He cannot be seen by humans. What has been shown by God is important. Just as important is understanding that these visible manifestations are not God. They are visual representations but God is greater than what can be seen.
Worshiping The Invisible God
It is difficult to worship what we cannot see. I get that. So does God.
While we shouldn’t set up idols or images, we also shouldn’t fail to understand that God has given us plenty to focus on. We may not be able to see God’s visible form with our eyes — at least, not in its fullness — but, by faith, we can see Him clearly.
God has revealed everything we need to know Him, to be known by Him, and to make Him known. He is so glorious and wonderful that we should always maintain the optimistic view that pursuing the knowledge of God in the face of Christ will always be a worthwhile and rewarding pursuit. We won’t ever reach the end of it in this life.
For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
Be blessed in your pursuit of knowing the Lord through what He has revealed. Take care that you don’t wander off chasing a golden calf version of the Lord.