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POWER – dunamis (Greek)
From Ephesians 1:18,19a The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling; and what (is) the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power (dunamis) to us who believe…..
Dunamis is simply the ready ability to do. All of God’s power toward us comes through “the door of” the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and the subsequent ascendancy to the throne of heaven and earth which God bestowed upon His son.
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto Him that is able (dunamai – root word of dunamis) to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power (dunamis) that works in us,
There are other words translated “power” in the New Testament.
Ischus – strength, developed dunamis (as dunamis is applied on a regular basis, ischus is built into our lives)
Kratos – the victorious application of dunamis, the power that triumphs. I can apply power to trying to push a car, but the power needed to actually make the care move is kratos.
Exousia – authority
Ephesians 1:19b,20 …….according to the working of His mighty (kratos) power (ischus) which He worked in Christ when He raised him from the dead and seated him at His own right hand in the heavenly places….
Ephesians 6:10 Be strong (endunamoo..verb form of dunamis) in the Lord, and in the power (kratos) of his might (ischus).
Colossians 1:13 Who has rescued us from the power (exousia) of darkness, and has transferred us into the kingdom of the son of His love.
Just before Jesus left this earth, he made a startling statement to his followers.
Luke 24:49 And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry in the city of Jerusalem, until you’re endued (clothed) with power (dunamis) from on high.
Imagine, clothed with the ability to do which comes from heaven itself!
This being clothed is salvation from the sin of Adam & Eve in the garden (living by the knowing of good and evil (or right and wrong)), the first consequence of which was “they knew they were naked.” Deliverance from that sin is being clothed……. in God’s righteousness. (See the studies The Gift of God’s Righteousness and What was The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil?)
Also, in Acts 1:4,5,8a And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait until the promise of the Father, which he said you have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence (something greater than water baptism is coming). But you shall receive power (dunamis-the ability to do) after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses…..
It is the spirit of Christ within, working within us, energized within us and manifesting itself through us that is the witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We ourselves cannot win anyone to God….only the spirit of God can do that.
The root word of dunamis is dunamai, translated “to be able to” or “can.”
It’s first usage in the New Testament is:
Matthew 3:9 (John is speaking)….And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham as our father; for I say unto you, that God is able (dunamai) of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
God can! God is ABLE! God created the heavens and the earth….He is able.
John 3:3,5 Jesus responded and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born from above, he cannot (ou dunamai) see the kingdom of God. Jesus responded, Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born of water (physical birth) and the spirit, he cannot (ou dunamai) enter into the kingdom of God.
The first usage of dunamis in the New Testament is:
Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Yours is the kingdom, and the power (dunamis), and the glory, for ever. Amen.
All ability comes from God. He has the power, the ability to do. The devil talks, but can not back up his talk. He is a liar. Lies are real, but not true. Lies do not bring what they promise. But God is able, and can bring what He promises.
Lies only have power in our lives when we don’t know they’re lies. As soon as we recognize a lie, it ceases to have power over us. Think about it. God is not like men, that mean well but cannot always do what they say. God never ever ever says what He cannot or will not do. What God promises He does. Because God is able.
Romans 4:20, 21 (speaking of Abraham) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able (dunatos – from same root word dunamai) also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
The first usage of dunamis in the Church Epistles (which are addressed to us today) is found in:
Romans 1:4 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, which He had promised before by His prophets in the holy scriptures, Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared (marked out as) the Son of God in power (dunamis), according to (supplied by) the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
This refers exactly back to Ephesians 1:19,20. The standard of our God-given ability to do (dunamis) is the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 1:23,24 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power (dunamis) of God, and the wisdom of God.
Powerful !!!
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power (dunamis) of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Christ is the ability of God to do, the power of God. The preaching of Christ is the ability of God to do, the power of God. Now you may think that if Christ is the ability of God to do, then why isn’t God doing more? I’ll tell you why. Because Jesus Christ is not being preached! Instead, we argue dogma. Because Jesus Christ is not being taught. Instead we teach a social gospel….how we as Christians ought to live. Because Jesus Christ is not being magnified in our lives. Instead we try to not sin, dwelling in our inability to do.
Let me make the true Christian calling very clear. We seek Christ, we preach Christ, we think Christ, we trust Christ. The spirit of God which was perfectly manifested throughout the life of Jesus Christ, and which Jesus himself sent into the world to be believed on and trusted by all men, is Christ. Believe on Jesus and you too will be clothed with his ability to do, the power of his resurrected life.
II Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace (intentional generosity) is sufficient for you; for my strength (dunamis) is perfected in (your) weakness (inability to do). Most gladly therefore will I rather glory (boast) in my weaknesses, that the power (dunamis) of Christ (the ability of Christ to do) may rest upon me.
Philippians 3:10a That I may know (intimately by experience) him (Christ), and the power (dunamis) of his resurrection…..
The “ability to do” that raised up a dead man to life eternal, and made him master of all heaven and all earth (all things spiritual and all things physical), is now our ability to do.
Philippians 4:13 I can do (ischus – I have strength for) all things through Christ who strengthens (endunamoo) me.
Another translation. I am strong enough for all things in the Christ who gives me the ability to do them.
May God give you, according to the riches of His full expression, to be strengthened with might (dunamis) by His spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith… Ephesians 3:16,17a
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Related studies:
Power and Authority
Learning to Recognize the Voice of God
To Walk Worthy of God
Excellent!
Thanks Frank 🙂