Omniscient vs. Omnipotent — What's the Difference?

Omniscient is a term that originates from the Latin word "omnis", meaning "all", and "scientia", meaning "knowledge". Thus, when someone or something is described as Omniscient, it indicates that they possess complete or unlimited knowledge. Omnipotent, on the other hand, comes from "omnis", meaning "all", and "potens", which means "powerful". As such, Omnipotent refers to having unlimited power or the ability to do anything.

In religious contexts, both Omniscient and Omnipotent are attributes often ascribed to a supreme being or deity. While an Omniscient deity would know everything about the past, present, and future, an Omnipotent deity would have the power to create, change, or destroy anything. These concepts are foundational in many theological discussions.

From a literary perspective, Omniscient often refers to a type of third-person narration where the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters. In contrast, an Omnipotent character in a story would be one who possesses unbeatable power or authority, perhaps even the ability to reshape the narrative itself.

While both terms signify forms of ultimate capability, their domains are different. Omniscient concerns the realm of knowledge and understanding, whereas Omnipotent governs the sphere of capability and action. Both words, however, evoke a sense of vastness and limitlessness, often beyond human comprehension.