Affront Quote by Matthew Henry
“God cannot be represented by an image. We ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. We wrong God, and put an affront upon him, if we think so. God honoured man in making his soul after his own likeness; but man dishonours God if he makes him after the likeness of his body. The Godhead is spiritual, infinite, immaterial, incomprehensible, and therefore it is a very false and unjust conception which an image gives us of God.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Commentary on the Whole Bible, Matthew Henry, 1708
The quote argues that God is beyond physical representation; making images of God misrepresents His spiritual, infinite nature.
In simple terms: God cannot be pictured; He is beyond material form.
Key Takeaway
Avoid idolizing; focus on spiritual understanding.
Themes
theity
iconoclasm
spirituality
theology
humility
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- Worship practices
- artistic expression
- religious education
- personal meditation
Key Concepts
Divine transcendence
iconoclasm
anthropomorphism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does visual art affect your perception of the divine?
- Can spiritual concepts be fully grasped without imagery?
A Different Perspective
Images can still inspire devotion for some believers.
![“He who prohibited the making of a graven image would never himself have made an image in the likeness of holy things [i.e., by creating an image of them here on earth]. Nor is there at all any composite thing or creature endowed with sensation [made by God here on earth] like those in heaven. But…” quote by Clement of Alexandria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7f0/clement-of-alexandria-12861_composites_he-who-prohibited-the-making-of-a-graven_1254264.jpg)
