Footnote

b Other Scriptural statements have a comparable structure. For example, “God is light” and “God is a consuming fire.” (1 John 1:5; Hebrews 12:29) But these must be understood as metaphors, for they liken Jehovah to physical things. Jehovah is like light, for he is holy and upright. There is no “darkness,” or uncleanness, in him. And he may be likened to fire for his use of destructive power.