God Cannot Lie
A Scriptural Defense of God’s Absolute Truthfulness
Introduction
In a world full of broken promises and shifting moral standards, we long for something or someone that is unchanging and trustworthy.
The Bible assures us that God cannot lie. This truth is not trivial; it is foundational to Christian belief.
Every promise in Scripture—whether about salvation, judgment, or blessing—rests on the unshakeable reliability of the One who spoke it.
If God could lie, none of His promises could be trusted. But He cannot.
Let us now explore seven key Bible passages that either explicitly declare or strongly affirm that God cannot lie.
Titus 1:2 – God, That Cannot Lie
“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”
— Titus 1:2 (KJV)
What It Says:
Paul calls God the One “that cannot lie.” This isn’t just a habit it’s a statement about God’s essence.
Why It Matters:
This is the clearest and strongest statement in Scripture on the topic. "Cannot lie" isn’t the same as "does not lie."
It means lying is impossible for God. It contradicts His very nature.
Application:
Because of this, we can trust God’s promise of eternal life. It’s not dependent on us—but on His unchangeable truth.
Hebrews 6:18 – It Was Impossible for God to Lie
“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation...”
— Hebrews 6:18 (KJV)
What It Says:
“Impossible” (Greek: adunaton) means “not able” or “powerless.”
Why It Matters:
Lying is not just something God avoids; it is something He is not capable of doing.
Application:
Our hope is anchored in a God whose promises cannot fail. This is our soul’s stability.
Numbers 23:19 – God Is Not a Man, That He Should Lie
“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent...”
— Numbers 23:19 (KJV)
What It Says:
This passage draws a direct contrast between God and man.
Why It Matters:
Humans lie and break promises. God does not. His Word is consistent and reliable.
Application:
When God speaks, He acts. When He promises, He fulfills.
1 Samuel 15:29 – The Strength of Israel Will Not Lie
“And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.”
— 1 Samuel 15:29 (KJV)
What It Says:
God is again shown to be unchanging and faithful.
Why It Matters:
His reliability is never in question. His truthfulness is tied to His sovereign power.
Application:
If God has declared something, He will not reverse it.
Romans 3:4 – Let God Be True, But Every Man a Liar
“God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar...”
— Romans 3:4 (KJV)
What It Says:
Even if every person on Earth is wrong, God is still true.
Why It Matters:
God is the standard of truth. His Word remains even if all people reject it.
Application:
We must align with God’s Word, not with human reasoning or shifting culture.
2 Timothy 2:13 – He Cannot Deny Himself
“If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”
2 Timothy 2:13 (KJV)
What It Says:
Even if we are faithless, God remains faithful.
Why It Matters:
To lie would be to deny His very nature. This reinforces the idea that God cannot act against who He is.
Application:
Your faith may waver. God’s faithfulness never does.
John 17:17 – Thy Word Is Truth
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
— John 17:17 (KJV)
What It Says:
God’s Word isn’t just truthful—it is truth itself.
Why It Matters:
It confirms that everything God speaks is consistent with His nature.
Application:
You can trust every word of Scripture. God cannot lie.
FINAL CONCLUSION
Titus 1:2 and Hebrews 6:18 state directly that God cannot lie.
Numbers 23:19 and 1 Samuel 15:29 reinforce this by contrasting God's unchanging nature with human fickleness.
Romans 3:4, 2 Timothy 2:13, and John 17:17 support the doctrine logically and theologically.
God cannot lie. He will not lie. He is always true.
You can rest in His promises, rely on His Word, and walk in assurance.
"Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." — 1 Thessalonians 5:24
DOCTRINE UNDER REVIEW:
“God cannot lie” – Is this a biblical doctrine or human tradition?
We’ll examine the key verses, quote the KJV, provide the Greek phrase (Textus Receptus), and then evaluate each for clarity and doctrinal strength.
1. Titus 1:2
“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”
Greek (TR): ἐπ’ ἐλπίδι ζωῆς αἰωνίου, ἣν ἐπήγγελται ὁ ἀψευδὴς Θεὸς προ τῶν αἰώνων
Evaluation:
The word ἀψευδής (apsēudēs) means "without lie, never lying, incapable of falsehood."
Paul affirms this truth in the context of eternal life—showing the reliability of God’s promise.
Conclusion:
This verse explicitly teaches that God cannot lie.
The Greek word confirms this meaning without ambiguity. This doctrine is grounded in Scripture.
2. Hebrews 6:18
“...in which it was impossible for God to lie...”
Greek (TR): ἀδύνατον ψεύσασθαι τὸν Θεὸν
Evaluation:
"Impossible" (ἀδύνατον) is an ontological term—God is incapable of this act.
This is in a covenant context: God’s promise and oath are immutable.
Conclusion:
A crystal-clear verse. The Greek and KJV both affirm lying is utterly impossible for God.
3. Numbers 23:19
“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent...”
Hebrew: לֹא אִישׁ אֵל וִיכַזֵּב
Evaluation:
כָּזַב (kāzav) – to deceive, to speak falsely. This shows lying is alien to God’s nature, unlike man.
Conclusion:
A moral impossibility—not ontological but still strongly affirming God’s truthfulness.
4. 1 Samuel 15:29
“And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent...”
Hebrew: וְגַם נֵצַח יִשְׂרָאֵל לֹא יְשַׁקֵּר
Evaluation:
שָׁקַר (shāqar) = to deal falsely or lie.
Conclusion:
Moral assertion: God will not lie because it's inconsistent with His holiness.
5. Romans 3:4
“Let God be true, but every man a liar...”
Greek: γινέσθω δὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἀληθὴς, πᾶς δὲ ἄνθρωπος ψεύστης
Evaluation:
Declares God as truthful by nature, contrasted with universal human falsehood.
Conclusion:
Implicit support for the doctrine, fully aligned with it.
6. 2 Timothy 2:13
“If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”
Greek (TR): ἀρνήσασθαι ἑαυτὸν οὐ δύναται
Evaluation:
Proves God cannot contradict His nature—includes lying.
Conclusion:
Not directly about lying, but supports the overall doctrine firmly.
7. John 17:17
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
Evaluation:
All that proceeds from God is true. Not a denial of lying directly, but supports it by implication.
Conclusion:
A harmonizing verse. God’s word is truth—therefore, He is true.
Final Verdict:
Is the doctrine "God cannot lie" biblical?
YES — 100%.
Explicitly Taught:
Titus 1:2 (“cannot lie” – ἀψευδής)
Hebrews 6:18 (“impossible” – ἀδύνατον)
Morally Reinforced:
Numbers 23:19
1 Samuel 15:29
Doctrinally Supported:
Romans 3:4
2 Timothy 2:13
John 17:17
This doctrine arises directly from the text—KJV, Greek, and Hebrew agree: God cannot lie.