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 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) in the ancient Greek world was portrayed as a major cosmic principle. Some philosophers viewed it as second only to mind (nous). 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. It is often noted that the gospel is the "dynamite of God" because the English word "dynamite" is derived from dunamis. 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 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.
The ability to act or produce an effect; the possession of authority over others. These two aspects of power are often related in Scripture. Because God has revealed His power in the act of creation, He has authority to assign dominion to whomever He wills (Jeremiah 10:12; Jeremiah 27:5). God revealed His power by miraculously delivering Israel from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 4:21; Exodus 9:16; Exodus 15:6; Exodus 32:11) and in the conquest of Canaan (Psalms 111:6). God's acts are foundational for His claim on Israel. God's power includes not only the power to judge but also the power to forgive sin (Numbers 14:15-19; Jeremiah 32:17-18). 2 Kings 3:15 links the onrush of the power of God with prophecy. Here power approximates God's Spirit (compare Micah 3:8; Luke 1:35).
Christ's miracles evidenced the power of God at work in His ministry (Matthew 14:2; Mark 5:30; Mark 9:1; Luke 4:36; Luke 5:17). Luke highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering the ministry of Jesus (Luke 4:14; Acts 10:38) and the ongoing ministry of the church (Acts 1:8; Acts 3:12; Acts 4:7,Acts 4:33; Acts 6:8). Paul stressed the paradox that the cross—what is apparently Jesus' greatest moment of weakness—is the event in which God's power to save is realized (1 Corinthians 1:17-18; compare Romans 1:16). This scandal of God's power revealed in Christ's death continues in God's choice to work through the powerless (1 Corinthians 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:9). In some texts, powers refer to angelic powers (Romans 8:38; Ephesians 3:10; Colossians 2:15; 1 Peter 3:22).
POW'ER, n. The Latin has posse, possum, potes, potentia. The primary sense of the verb is to strain, to exert force.
1. In a philosophical sense, the faculty of doing or performing any thing; the faculty of moving or of producing a change in something; ability or strength. A man raises his hand by his own power, or by power moves another body. The exertion of power proceeds from the will, and in strictness, no being destitute of will or intelligence, can exert power. Power in man is active or speculative. Active power is that which moves the body; speculative power is that by which we see, judge, remember, or in general, by which we think.
Power may exist without exertion. We have power to speak when we are silent.
Power has been distinguished also into active and passive,the power of doing or moving, and the power of receiving impressions or of suffering. In strictness, passive power is an absurdity in terms. To say that gold has a power to be melted,is improper language,yet for want of a more appropriate word, power is often used in a passive sense, and is considered as two-fold; viz.as able to make or able to receive any change.
2. Force; animal strength; as the power of the arm, exerted in lifting, throwing or holding.
3. Force; strength; energy; as the power of the mind, of the imagination, of the fancy. He has not powers of genius adequate to the work.
4. Faculty of the mind, as manifested by a particular mode of operation; as the power of thinking, comparing and judging; the reasoning powers.
5. Ability, natural or moral. We say, a man has the power of doing good; his property gives him the power of relieving the distressed; or he has the power to persuade others to do good; or it is not in his power to pay his debts. The moral power of man is also his power of judging or discerning in moral subjects.
6. In mechanics, that which produces motion or force, or which may be applied to produce it. Thus the inclined plane is called a mechanical power, as it produces motion, although this in reality depends on gravity. The wheel and axle, and the lever, are mechanical powers, as they may be applied to produce force. These powers are also called forces, and they are of two kinds, moving power, and sustaining power.
7. Force. The great power of the screw is of extensive use in compression. The power of steam is immense.
8. That quality in any natural body which produces a change or makes an impression on another body; as the power of medicine; the power of heat; the power of sound.
9. Force; strength; momentum; as the power of the wind, which propels a ship or overturns a building.
10. Influence; that which may move the mind; as the power of arguments or of persuasion.
11. Command; the right of governing, or actual government; dominion; rule, sway; authority. A large portion of Asia is under the power of the Russian emperor. The power of the British monarch is limited by law. The powers of government are legislative, executive, judicial, and ministerial.
Power is no blessing in itself, but when it is employed to protect the innocent.
Under this sense may be comprehended civil, political, ecclesiastical, and military power.
12. A sovereign, whether emperor, king or governing prince or the legislature of a state; as the powers of Europe; the great powers; the smaller powers. In this sense, the state or nation governed seems to be included in the word power. Great Britain is a great naval power.
13. One invested with authority; a ruler; a civil magistrate. Rom.13.
14. Divinity; a celestial or invisible being or agent supposed to have dominion over some part of creation; as celestial powers; the powers of darkness.
15. That which has physical power; an army; a navy; a host; a military force.
Never such a power --
Was levied in the body of a land.
16. Legal authority; warrant; as a power of attorney; an agent invested with ample power. The envoy has full powers to negotiate a treaty.
17. In arithmetic and algebra, the product arising from the multiplication of a number or quantity into itself; as, a cube is the third power; the biquadrate is the fourth power.
18. In Scripture, right; privilege. John 1. 1 Cor.9.
19. Angels, good or bad. Col 1. Eph. 6.
20. Violence, force; compulsion. Ezek. 4.
21. Christ is called the power of God, as through him and his gospel, God displays his power and authority in ransoming and saving sinners. 1 Cor.1.
22. The powers of heaven may denote the celestial luminaries. Matt.24.
23. Satan is said to have the power of death, as he introduced sin, the cause of death, temporal and eternal, and torments men with the feat of death and future misery.
24. In vulgar language, a large quantity; a great number; as a power of good things. This is, I believe, obsolete, even among our common people.
Power of attorney, authority given to a person to act for another.
POWERFUL
POW'ERFUL, a. Having great physical or mechanical power; strong; forcible; mighty; as a powerful army or navy; a powerful engine.
1. Having great moral power; forcible to persuade or convince the mind; as a powerful reason or argument.
2. Possessing great political and military power; strong in extent of dominion or national resources; potent; as a powerful monarch or prince; a powerful nation.
3. Efficacious; possessing or exerting great force or producing great effects; as a powerful medicine.
4. In general, able to produce great effects; exerting great force or energy; as a powerful eloquence.
The word of God is quick and powerful. Heb.4.
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" (Mark 3:15; 6:7; Ephesians 1:21, etc.) or "right" (Romans 9:21; 1 Corinthians 9:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:9, etc.).
Power is attributed preeminently to God (1 Chronicles 29:11; Job 26:14; Psalms 66:7; 145:11; Revelation 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 Corinthians 1:18,24).
The preaching of the gospel is accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:5, etc.). Miracles, as "mighty works," are denoted by the term "powers" (so Matthew 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 (Revelation 11:17).
* OF CHRIST
o As the Son of God, is the power of God
John 5:17-19; 10:28-30
o As man, is from the Father
Acts 10:38
o Described as supreme
Ephesians 1:20,21; 1 Peter 3:22
o Unlimited
Matthew 28:18
o Over all flesh
John 17:2
o Over all things
John 3:35; Ephesians 1:22
o Glorious
2 Thessalonians 1:9
o Everlasting
1 Timothy 6:16
o Is able to subdue all things
Philippians 3:21
o Exemplified in creation
John 1:3,10; Colossians 1:16
o Upholding all things
Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3
o Salvation
Isaiah 63:1; Hebrews 7:25
o His teaching
Matthew 7:28,29; Luke 4:32
o Performing miracles
Matthew 8:27; Luke 5:17
o Enabling others to work miracles
Matthew 10:1; Mark 16:17,18; Luke 10:17
o Forgiving sins
Matthew 9:6; Acts 5:31
o Giving spiritual life
John 5:21,25,26
o Giving eternal life
John 17:2
o Raising the dead
John 5:28,29
o Rising from the dead
John 2:19; 10:18
o Overcoming the world
John 16:33
o Overcoming Satan
Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14
o Destroying the works of Satan
1 John 3:8
o Ministers should make known
2 Peter 1:16
o Saints made willing by
Psalms 110:3
o Helped by
Hebrews 2:18
o Strengthened by
Philippians 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:17
o Preserved by
2 Timothy 1:12; 4:18
o Bodies of, will be changed by
Philippians 3:21
o Rests upon saints
2 Corinthians 12:9
o Present in the assembly of saints
1 Corinthians 5:4
o Will be specially manifested at his second coming
Mark 13:26; 2 Peter 1:16
o Will subdue all power
1 Corinthians 15:24
o The wicked will be destroyed by
Psalms 2:9; Isaiah 11:4; 63:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:9
o See JESUS
* OF GOD
o One of his attributes
Psalms 62:11
o Expressed by
+ The voice of God
Psalms 29:3,5; 68:33
+ The finger of God
Exodus 8:19; Psalms 8:3
+ The hand of God
Exodus 9:3,15; Isaiah 48:13
+ The arm of God
Job 40:9; Isaiah 52:10
+ The thunder of his power
Job 26:14
o Described as
+ Great
Psalms 79:11; Nahum 1:3
+ Strong
Psalms 89:13; 136:12
+ Glorious
Exodus 15:6; Isaiah 63:12
+ Mighty
Job 9:4; Psalms 89:13
+ Everlasting
Isaiah 26:4; Romans 1:20
+ Sovereign
Romans 9:21
+ Effectual
Isaiah 43:13; Ephesians 3:7
+ Irresistable
Deuteronomy 32:39; Daniel 4:35
+ Incomparable
Exodus 15:11,12; Deuteronomy 3:24; Job 40:9; Psalms 89:8
+ Unsearchable
Job 5:9; 9:10
+ Incomprehensible
Job 26:14; Ecclesiastes 3:11
o All things possible to
Matthew 19:26
o Nothing too difficult for
Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:27
o Can save by many or by few
1 Samuel 14:6
o Is the source of all strength
1 Chronicles 29:12; Psalms 68:35
o Exemplified
+ In the creation
Psalms 102:25; Jeremiah 10:12
+ In establishing and governing all things
Psalms 65:6; 66:7
+ In the miracles of Christ
Luke 11:20
+ In the resurrection of Christ
2 Corinthians 13:4; Colossians 2:12
+ In the resurrection of saints
1 Corinthians 6:14
+ In making the gospel effectual
Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18,24
+ In delivering his people
Psalms 106:8
+ In the destruction of the wicked
Exodus 9:16; Romans 9:22
o Saints long for exhibitions of
Psalms 63:1,2
o Have confidence in
Jeremiah 20:11
o Receive increase of grace by
2 Corinthians 9:8
o Strengthened by
Ephesians 6:10; Colossians 1:11
o Upheld by
Psalms 37:17; Isaiah 41:10
o Supported in affliction by
2 Corinthians 6:7; 2 Timothy 1:8
o Delivered by
Nehemiah 1:10; Daniel 3:17
o Exalted by
Job 36:22
o Kept by, unto salvation
1 Peter 1:5
o Exerted in behalf of saints
1 Chronicles 16:9
o Works in and for saints
2 Corinthians 13:4; Ephesians 1:19; 3:20
o The faith that saints rely on
1 Corinthians 2:5
o Should be acknowledged
1 Chronicles 29:11; Isaiah 33:13
o Pleaded in prayer
Psalms 79:11; Matthew 6:13
o Feared
Jeremiah 5:22; Matthew 10:28
o Magnified
Psalms 21:13; Jude 1:25
o Efficiency of ministers is through
1 Corinthians 3:6-8; Galatians 2:8; Ephesians 3:7
o Is a ground of trust
Isaiah 26:4; Romans 4:21
o Wicked people
+ Do not know
Matthew 22:29
+ Have against them
Ezra 8:22
+ Will be destroyed by
Luke 12:5
o The heavenly host magnified
Revelation 4:11; 5:13; 11:17
o See GOD, OMNIPOTENT
o See GOD, POWER OF
* OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
o Is the power of God
Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20
o Christ commenced his ministry in
Luke 4:14
o Christ worked his miracles by
Matthew 12:28
o Exemplified in
+ The creation
Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13; Psalms 104:30
+ The conception of Christ
Luke 1:35
+ Raising Christ from the dead
1 Peter 3:18
+ Giving spiritual life
Ezekiel 37:11-14; Romans 8:11
+ Performing miracles
Romans 15:19
+ Making the gospel effective
1 Corinthians 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:5
+ Overcoming all difficulties
Zechariah 4:6,7
o Promised by the Father
Luke 24:49
o Promised by Christ
Acts 1:8
o Saints
+ Upheld by
Psalms 51:12
+ Strengthened by
Ephesians 3:16
+ Enabled to speak the truth boldly by
Micah 3:8; Acts 6:5,10; 2 Timothy 1:7,8
+ Helped in prayer by
Romans 8:26
+ Abound in hope by
Romans 15:13
o Qualifies ministers
Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8,9
o God’s word the instrument of
Ephesians 6:17
o See HOLY SPIRIT
* SPIRITUAL
Genesis 32:28; Isaiah 40:29-31; Mark 9:29; Luke 1:17; 4:32; 24:49; John 7:38,39; Acts 1:8; 2:2-4; 6:8;
Ephesians 1:19,20; 1 Corinthians 1:24-28; 4:19,20; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:5;
2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 6:5
o See HOLY SPIRIT