Power

Power [nave]

POWER.
Of Christ
As the Son of God, is the power of God, John 5:17-19; 10:28-30; as one human, is from the Father, Acts 10:38.
Described as supreme, Eph. 1:20, 21; 1 Pet. 3:22; unlimited, Matt. 28:18; over all flesh, John 17:2; over all things, John 3:35; Eph. 1:22; glorious, 2 Thess. 1:9; everlasting, 1 Tim. 6:16.
Is able to subdue all things, Phil. 3:21.
Exemplified in creation, John 1:3, 10; Col. 1:16; upholding all things, Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3; salvation, Isa. 63:1; Heb. 7:25; his teaching, Matt. 7:28, 29; Luke 4:32; working miracles, Matt. 8:27; Luke 5:17; enabling others to work miracles, Matt. 10:1; Mark 16:17, 18; Luke 10:17; forgiving sins, Matt. 9:6; Acts 5:31; giving spiritual life, John 5:21, 25, 26; giving eternal life, John 17:2; raising the dead, John 5:28, 29; rising from the dead, John 2:19; 10:18; overcoming the world, John 16:33; overcoming Satan, Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14; destroying the works of Satan, 1 John 3:8; ministers should make known, 2 Pet. 1:16.
Saints made willing by, Psa. 110:3; aided by, Heb. 2:18; strengthened by, Phil. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:17; preserved by, 2 Tim. 1:12; 4:18; bodies of, shall be changed by, Phil. 3:21; rests upon saints, 2 Cor. 12:9.
Present in the assembly of saints, 1 Cor. 5:4.
Shall be specially manifested at his second coming, Mark 13:26; 2 Pet. 1:16.
Shall subdue all power, 1 Cor. 15:24.
The wicked shall be destroyed by, Psa. 2:9; Isa. 11:4; 63:3; 2 Thess. 1:9. - Bible Text-Book.
See: Jesus.
Of God
One of his attributes, Psa. 62:11.
Expressed by the voice of God, Psa. 29:3, 5; 68:33; finger of God, Ex. 8:19; Psa. 8:3; hand of God, Ex. 9:3, 15; Isa. 48:13; arm of God, Job 40:9; Isa. 52:10; thunder of his power, Job 26:14.
Described as great, Psa. 79:11; Nah. 1:3; strong, Psa. 89:13; 136:12; glorious, Ex. 15:6; Isa. 63:12; mighty, Job 9:4; Psa. 89:13; everlasting, Isa. 26:4; Rom. 1:20; sovereign, Rom. 9:21; effectual, Isa. 43:13; Eph. 3:7; irresistible, Deut. 32:39; Dan. 4:35; incomparable, Ex. 15:11, 12; Deut. 3:24; Job 40:9; Psa. 89:8; unsearchable, Job 5:9; 9:10; incomprehensible, Job 26:14; Eccl. 3:11.
All things possible to, Matt. 19:26.
Nothing too hard for, Gen. 18:14; Jer. 32:27.
Can save by many or by few, 1 Sam. 14:6.
Is the source of all strength, 1 Chr. 29:12; Psa. 68:35.
Exemplified in the creation, Psa. 102:25; Jer. 10:12; in establishing and governing all things, Psa. 65:6; 66:7; in the miracles of Christ, Luke 11:20; in the resurrection of Christ, 2 Cor. 13:4; Col. 2:12; in the resurrection of saints, 1 Cor. 6:14; in making the gospel effectual, Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18, 24; in delivering his people, Psa. 106:8; in the destruction of the wicked, Ex. 9:16; Rom. 9:22.
Saints long for exhibitions of, Psa. 63:1, 2; have confidence in, Jer. 20:11; receive increase of grace by, 2 Cor. 9:8; strengthened by, Eph. 6:10; Col. 1:11; upheld by, Psa. 37:17; Isa. 41:10; supported in affliction by, 2 Cor. 6:7; 2 Tim. 1:8; delivered by, Neh. 1:10; Dan. 3:17; exalted by, Job 36:22; kept by, to salvation, 1 Pet. 1:5.
Exerted in behalf of saints, 1 Chr. 16:9.
Works in and for saints, 2 Cor. 13:4; Eph. 1:19; 3:20.
The faith of saints stands in, 1 Cor. 2:5.
Should be acknowledged, 1 Chr. 29:11; Isa. 33:13; pleaded in prayer, Psa. 79:11; Matt. 6:13; feared, Jer. 5:22; Matt. 10:28; magnified, Psa. 21:13; Jude 25.
Efficiency of ministers is through, 1 Cor. 3:6-8; Gal. 2:8; Eph. 3:7.
Is a ground of trust, Isa. 26:4; Rom. 4:21.
The wicked do not know, Matt. 22:29; have against them, Ezra 8:22; shall be destroyed by, Luke 12:5.
The heavenly host magnified, Rev. 4:11; 5:13; 11:17. - Bible Text-Book.
See: God, Omnipotent, Power of.
Of the Holy Spirit
Is the power of God, Matt. 12:28, with Luke 11:20.
Christ commenced his ministry in, Luke 4:14.
Christ wrought his miracles by, Matt. 12:28.
Exemplified in creation, Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; Psa. 104:30; the conception of Christ, Luke 1:35; raising Christ from the dead, 1 Pet. 3:18; giving spiritual life, Ezek. 37:11-14, with Rom. 8:11; working miracles, Rom. 15:19; making the gospel efficacious, 1 Cor. 2:4; 1 Thess. 1:5; overcoming all difficulties, Zech. 4:6, 7.
Promised by the Father, Luke 24:49.
Promised by Christ, Acts 1:8.
Saints upheld by, Psa. 51:12; strengthened by, Eph. 3:16; enabled to speak the truth boldly by, Mic. 3:8; Acts 6:5, 10; 2 Tim. 1:7, 8; helped in prayer by, Rom. 8:26; abound in hope by, Rom. 15:13.
Qualifies ministers, Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8, 9.
God's word the instrument of, Eph. 6:17. - Bible Text-Book.
See: Holy Spirit.
Spiritual
Gen. 32:28; Isa. 40:29-31; Mark 9:29; Luke 1:17; Luke 4:32; Luke 24:49; John 7:38, 39; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:2-4; Acts 6:8; Eph. 1:19, 20; 1 Cor. 1:24-28; 1 Cor. 4:19, 20; 2 Cor. 12:9; 1 Thess. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:7; Heb. 6:5 See: Holy Spirit.

POWER [isbe]

POWER - pou'-er: This word, indicative of might, strength, force, is used in the Old Testament to render very many Hebrew terms, the translation in numerous instances being varied in the Revised Version (British and American) to words like "valor," "rule," "strength," "might," "dominion." The principal words for "power" in the New Testament are dunamis, and exousia. In the latter case the Revised Version (British and American) frequently changes to "authority" (Mk 3:15; 6:7; Eph 1:21, etc.) or "right" (Rom 9:21; 1 Cor 9:6; 2 Thess 3:9, etc.). Power is attributed preeminently to God (1 Ch 29:11; Job 26:14; Ps 66:7; 145:11; Rev 7:12, etc.). On this attribute of power of God, see OMNIPOTENCE. The supreme manifestation of the power, as of the wisdom and love of God, is in redemption (1 Cor 1:18,24). The preaching of the gospel is accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:4; 1 Thess 1:5, etc.). Miracles, as "mighty works," are denoted by the term "powers" (so Mt 11:21,23 the Revised Version margin, etc.). The end of all time's developments is that God takes to Him His great power and reigns (Rev 11:17).

James Orr

Power [baker]

[N]

Power is an English logical construct referring to a variety of ideas relating to ability, capacity, authority, and might/strength. In human relationships, power is the authority one person holds over another. Terms such as boss, president, sheriff, and sexual harassment bring the picture of power to mind. The images that exist among Christians concerning "power" often depend upon the English translation with which they are familiar. The Bible uses a variety of Hebrew and Greek terms that represent the semantic domain of power although they may be translated in different ways. For example, the King James Version uses "power" for a large number of Hebrew and Greek terms. The Greek term exousia [ejxousiva] is most often translated "power" in the King James Version but it is almost always translated "authority" in modern versions. The contextual nuance of each occurrence of a Hebrew or Greek word must be considered in translation.

Power (dunamis [duvnami"]) in the ancient Greek world was portrayed as a major cosmic principle. Some philosophers viewed it as second only to mind (nous [nou'"]). They viewed God and cosmic principle as equivalent. It was rare for them to speak of "the power of God" since these ideas were nearly equivalent. In the Bible, however, God is a person not merely power. Therefore, a phrase like "the power of God" takes on new meaning because a person who possesses the characteristic of power is the prime mover of the universe. Furthermore, the biblical deity is a God of history, not just nature. Therefore, this God brings the world into existence (Jer 27:5; 32:17) and distributes power to people to fulfill his historical purposes (cf. Exod 15:6, 13; Deut 3:24; Psalm 46:1; 86:16).

The biblical description of power relates primarily to God and people. Power is an inherent characteristic of God (Rom 1:20). It is the result of his nature. God's kind of power is seen in his creation (Psalm 19; 150:1; Jer 10:12). His inexplicable power is the only explanation for the virgin birth of Jesus (Luke 1:35). Power is always a derived characteristic for people, who receive power from God (Deut 8:18; Isa 40:29; Micah 3:8; Matt 22:29; 1 Cor 2:4; Eph 3:7), from political position (Esther 1:3; Luke 20:20), from armies (1 Chron 20:1), and from other structures that provide advantage over others. When humans perceive that their power is intrinsic to themselves, they are self-deceived (Lev 26:19; Deut 8:17-18; Hosea 2:7-9; John 19:10-11).

Jesus as the God-Man demonstrated both the intrinsic and derived aspects of power. He proclaimed his power and authority as derived from the Father (John 5:27; 17:2; 5:16-23). He also demonstrated that his power was derived from his authority as the Son of Man and that the two were an inseparable testimony to his divine nature (Matt 9:6-7; Luke 4:36; 9:1).

Power in the New Testament is used to describe the unseen world. The angelic realm is described as "powers" or "authorities" (Rom 8:38; Eph 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:16; 2:10, 16). Jesus exercised power over the unseen world through his exorcism of demons (Mark 6:7; Luke 9:1).

Paul especially images the living of the Christian life as an empowerment from God. The believer's union with Christ delivers him or her from the power of sin (cf. Rom. 6-8) and introduces him or her to the "power of [Christ's] resurrection" (Php 3:10). Salvation and holy living provide the Christian with a "spirit of power" for witness (2 Tim 1:7-8). Paul's view of the gospel itself is imaged as power (Rom 1:16). "Power" in Romans 1:16 renders the Greek word dunamis [duvnami"]. It is often noted that the gospel is the "dynamite of God" because the English word "dynamite" is derived from dunamis [duvnami"]. Such an observation, however, is not a valid use of etymology. Dynamite was not in existence during Paul's time. He had no such image in his mind. For Paul, the gospel dunamis [duvnami"] was the dynamic of God's power conveyed through God's message. When presented to the world, the gospel dynamically works salvation in those who believe. Paul develops the motif of divine power as the key to Christian living by noting that unless the believer is empowered, it is impossible to please God (Rom. 6-8; 1 Cor 15:56-57).

Peter also utilizes the concept of power to image the Christian life as an empowerment from God. Second Peter 1:3 states that "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness." The context views this power as channeled through knowledge and virtue. Peter does not view this power as passive, but as the foundation and motivation to pursue a circle of virtues (1:5-9) that produce and evidence productive Christian living.

Gary T. Meadors

POWER [bridgeway]

Some English versions of the Bible use the word ‘power’ to translate different Greek words. In some cases the meaning has to do with great strength or the ability to exercise that strength (1 Cor 1:18; Eph 1:19; Rev 5:13). In other cases it has to do with authority, or the right to exercise authority (Matt 21:23; 28:18; John 1:12; Rom 13:1). The present article is concerned with the first of these meanings. For the second meaning see AUTHORITY.

Evidences of God’s power

The Old Testament repeatedly speaks of God’s immeasurable power. This power was demonstrated through his creation of the universe (Ps 33:6-9; Isa 40:21-23; Jer 10:12-13), his activity in nature (Ps 29:3-10; 66:5-7), his control of history (Exod 9:16; Ps 33:10; Isa 40:15-17) and his saving acts on behalf of his people (Exod 15:4-12; 32:11; Ps 106:8; 111:6; Isa 40:10-11).

These evidences of God’s power are referred to also in the New Testament (Luke 1:49; Rom 1:16,20; 15:19; Heb 1:10-12; Rev 7:12; 15:8). The life and ministry of Jesus Christ provide particularly clear evidence of God’s power (Luke 4:14,36; 5:17; 9:1; see MIRACLES; KINGDOM OF GOD). The supreme demonstration of God’s power is the resurrection of Jesus (Rom 1:4; Eph 1:19-20).

Saving power at work

God’s promise to believers is that the same power as raised Jesus from death is available to them. Just as Jesus conquered sin and death, so can those who trust in him. They have victory over sin now and are assured of victory over death at Jesus’ return (Rom 6:5-11; 8:9-11; Phil 3:9-11; 1 Cor 6:14; 15:42-44,54-56).

The entire salvation God has made available operates by his power. This salvation includes saving sinners from eternal condemnation and giving them victory over sin in their lives as believers (Rom 1:16; 6:14; 1 Cor 1:18,24; 2:5; Eph 1:18-20; 3:20; 1 Peter 1:3-5). This power becomes theirs through the Spirit of God within them (Acts 1:8; Rom 15:13; Eph 3:16; cf. Micah 3:8; Zech 4:6; see HOLY SPIRIT).

Although they have this power of God within them, believers are not to seek exhibitions of it that will draw attention to themselves (2 Cor 12:9; 13:4). They should be humble and dependent on God, so that he alone may be the one in whom people trust and to whom they give praise (Acts 3:12-16; 1 Cor 2:4-5; 2 Cor 4:7; Phil 4:13; 1 Thess 1:5; 2 Peter 1:3).

Also see definition of "Power" in Word Study