Chapter 7 — That in God there is active power

It follows from this that God is powerful, and that active power is fittingly ascribed to him.

For active power is the principle of acting on another as such. (Aristotle, Metaphysics 12.4, 1170b22–29; 12.10; 8.2.) Now it becomes God to be the principle of being to other things. Therefore, it becomes him to be powerful.

Moreover. Just as passive potency is consequent upon being in potency, so active potency is consequent upon being in act, for a thing is active because it is in act, and passive because it is in potency. (Aristotle, Physics 3.1.) Now it becomes God to be in act. (Bk. 1, ch. 16.) Therefore, active power is becoming to him.

Again. The divine perfection includes the perfection of all things, as was proved in the first book. (Ch. 28.) Now active power belongs to the perfection of a thing, since a thing is found to be the more perfect in proportion as it is more powerful. Therefore, God cannot be devoid of active power.

Further. Whatever acts has the power to act, since that which does not have the power to act cannot possibly act; and what cannot possibly act does not act of necessity. Now God acts and moves, as was proved above. (Bk. 1, ch. 13.) Therefore, he has the power to act, and active but not passive potency is fittingly ascribed to him.

Hence it is said in the Psalm: you are powerful, O Lord (Ps 89:8[88:9]), and elsewhere: your power and your righteousness, O God, reach the high heavens; you who have done great things (Ps 70:18–19).