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.