the Week of Proper 25 / Ordinary 30
Click here to join the effort!
Bible Dictionaries
Power
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words
for the different meanings of which see ABILITY , MIGHT , is sometimes used, by metonymy, of persons and things, e.g., (a) of God, Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:62; (b) of angels, e.g., perhaps in Ephesians 1:21 , RV, "power," AV, "might" (cp. Romans 8:38; 1 Peter 3:22 ); (c) of that which manifests God's "power:" Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:24; the Gospel, Romans 1:16; (d) of mighty works (RV, marg., "power" or "powers"), e.g., Mark 6:5 , "mighty work;" so Mark 9:39 , RV (AV, "miracle"); Acts 2:22 (ditto); 8:13, "miracles;" 2 Corinthians 12:12 , RV, "mighty works" (AV, "mighty deeds").
Note: For different meanings of synonymous terms, see Note under DOMINION, A, No. 1.denotes "freedom of action, right to act;" used of God, it is absolute, unrestricted, e.g., Luke 12:5 (RV marg., "authority"); in Acts 1:7 "right of disposal" is what is indicated; used of men, authority is delegated. Angelic beings are called "powers" in Ephesians 3:10 (cp. 1:21); 6:12; Colossians 1:6; 2:15 (cp. 2:10). See AUTHORITY , No. 1, see also PRINCIPALITY.
"ability, force, strength," is nowhere translated "power" in the RV (AV in 2 Thessalonians 1:9 ). See ABILITY , No. 2.
is translated "power" in the RV and AV in 1 Timothy 6:16; Hebrews 2:14; in Ephesians 1:19 (last part); 6:10, AV, "power" (RV, "strength"): see DOMINION , A, No. 1, STRENGTH, A, No. 3.
the neuter of the adjective dunatos, "powerful" (akin to No. 1), is used as a noun with the article in Romans 9:22 , "(to make His) power (known)." See ABLE.
"a beginning, rule," is translated "power" in Luke 20:20 , AV (RV, "rule"). See BEGINNING , B.
"to exercise authority" (akin to A, No. 2), is used (a) in the Active Voice, Luke 22:25 , RV, "have authority" (AV, "exercise authority"), of the "power" of rulers; 1 Corinthians 7:4 (twice), of marital relations and conditions; (b) in the Passive Voice, 1 Corinthians 6:12 , to be brought under the "power" of a thing; here, this verb and the preceding one connected with it, exesti, present a paronomasia, which Lightfoot brings out as follows: "all are within my power; but I will not put myself under the power of any one of all things." See AUTHORITY , B, No. 1.
Notes: (1) In Revelation 13:14,15 , AV, didomi, "to give," is translated "(he) had power;" RV, "it was given (him)" and "it was given unto him;" the AV misses the force of the permissive will of God in the actings of the Beast. (2) In Romans 16:25 , AV, dunamai, "to be able," is translated "that is of power" (RV, "that is able"). See ABLE. (3) The subject of power in Scripture may be viewed under the following heads: (a) its original source, in the Persons in the Godhead; (b) its exercise by God in creation, its preservation and its government; (c) special manifestations of Divine "power," past, present and future; (d) "power" existent in created beings, other than man, and in inanimate nature; (e) committed to man, and misused by him; (f) committed to those who, on becoming believers, were "empowered" by the Spirit of God, are indwelt by Him, and will exercise it hereafter for God's glory.These files are public domain.
Vines, W. E., M. A. Entry for 'Power'. Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ved/​p/power.html. 1940.