Ephesians is a letter that was written by Paul while in prison in Rome. Paul had a special place in his heart for the Church at Ephesus, having spent about three years there. He wanted the Church to really grasp what living their new life in Christ meant and to be strengthened in their commitment to Christ. Ephesus was a city of great importance: right on the coast of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) it was a thriving harbor city and banking city, and one of the greatest cities of the Roman Empire. The repulsive immorality in this religious city came from one of the seven wonders of the ancient world being there: the Temple of Diana (Artemus), the patron of prostitutes.
Because of the evil and immorality all around them, the Ephesian church, like we do, needed the power of God to keep them and establish their commitment to Christ in the face of such opposition.
We see Paul’s prayer for them in Ephesians 1.17-20: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the workingof his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
This passage incorporates all four of the predominant Greek words for “power” into one single verse! Paul knows the church needs POWER. We need this power in order to stand against the onslaught of the enemy! We need this power for victory in a world of opposition! We need this power in order to really change our world and bring glory to the Lord! The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to us today!
Paul says, The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power (dunamis) to us-ward who believe, according to the working (energeia) of his mighty (ischus) power (kratos), Which he wrought (energeo) in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,…
This power is to usward who believe. To us. This word in the Greek, the word eis, depicts a line drawn from point a to point b, from a source to a target. This power is usward from God, to us from Him. We haven’t earned or deserved it. It is His in us to be used for His purposes and glory! It is the same power that raised Christ from the dead, by which Jesus ascended to heaven, and that put everything under His feet. The power to provide everything we ever need to live for the Lord. To usward who believe.
We err when we don’t know the Scriptures nor the power of God it tells us in Matthew 22.29. Today we are going to learn how to apply the Word of God to receive the power He gave us to advance His Kingdom!
1. Dunamis: Equipped With Dynamite.
What is it? What is the exceeding greatness of His power we need to know? The word exceeding means surpassing, super eminent, excelling, beyond the goal, greatness is huge magnitude, vast, of his power force, ability, miraculous power, abundant strength, capacity. The English word for dynamite comes from the word for this type of power!
How do we get it?! It is power placed inside of us; it is not ours by nature. It is given to usward who believe! Christ is the dunamis or power of God (1 Cor 1.24), and He places that power inside of us! 2 Cor. 12.9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength (dunamis) is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power (dunamis) of Christ may rest upon me. It is God’s gift placed inside of us. Power ready to be tapped any time. Like a battery fully charged!
What do we do with it? God’s dunamis power equips us: 2 Peter 1.3-4 According as his divine powerhath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Why? …that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
What do we do with it? Look at the way it is translated to see the verbs that describe how His power equips you to live: More than 14 times the word dunamis is translated “mighty or wonderful works,” 8 times it is translated “miracles.” It is “strength,” “might,” “virtue,” “ability,” “deeds,” and “abundance.”
This is the power that replaces the spirit of fear in 2 Tim 1.7, and the power by which Paul preached the gospel! It’s available: take it, know Him and use it!
2. Energeia (Energeo): Energized With the Power and Zeal of God.
What is it? According to the working of [God’s] power (energeia) is the greatness of His power to usward. He wrought or energized this in Christ when He raised Him from the dead. You can see the word “energy” in these words.
The word means efficiency, strong effectual working, active, operative, powerful, acts, deeds, doing, labour, work. It speaks of activity, zealous labor, and is opposed to idleness or inactivity. It is when God’s powerk is energized: it’s not just potential power but active power with unlimited quantities available!
How do we get it?! Phil 2.13 [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. The Greek prefix en means inside; and the ergonmeans work, effort, labour, deeds. In other words, energeia is where God puts His holy work ethic inside of us! It is as Phil. 2.13 says: it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire]…
Hebrews 4.12 tells us that the Word of God is energy filled: For the Word of God is quick, and powerful (energes)… The more the Word of God is in us, the more ergon is in us.
What do we do with it? We use it! Col. 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working (energeia), which worketh (energeia) in me mightily (dunamis). We are to Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work (energeia) you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. (Gal 6.4, Message) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt. 5:16
Titus 3:14 says Our people have to learn to be diligent in their work (energeia) so that all necessities are met (especially among the needy) and they don’t end up with nothing to show for their lives. This energy, this power, is invested by God into our lives so that it spills over, needs are met, you have something to show for your lives, and you glorify God! There is no excuse for Christians to get weary and give up. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work (ergon) in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.Phil. 1.6
3. Ischus: Holding and Staying Power.
What is it? The word is-khoos, means forcefulness, ability, might, power, strength. It is the strengththat will be to the Lord forever and ever in Rev. 7.12. It is derived from the root verb echo, meaning to hold on or to possesssomething. God’s holding on power. It is something you already possess or hold onto. You are ready with that power! 1 John 2.14 says I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong(ischus) and the Word of God abideth in you. and you have overcome the wicked one. It is God’s staying and holding power given to usward!
How do we get it?! Eph. 6.10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might (ischus). [HOW?] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. You are no match for the devil on your own. You need to stand in the power of the Lord’s might.
What do we do with it? You watch, be on guard, preservere, hold onto, obey. We already saw you can’t beat the devil unless you have the Lord’s ischus power inside you. Luke 11.21-22 tells it this way: When a strong man (ischuros) armed (in the power of God’s might as in Eph 6.10 with the armor of God!) keepeth (watches, is on guard, preserves, holds onto, obeys – in other words is strong in the Lord and the power of HIS ischus might!) his palace his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he shall come upon him and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
What do we do with it? You can do (ischus) all things through Christ which strengthens (dunamis – equips you with dynamite) you! Phil 4.13 …if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability (the ischus) which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Pet. 4.11
4. Kratos: Complete Power With Dominion and Authority.
What is it? The last word we will look at refers to God’s manifested power… the power of God that is in use, in gear, and being expended. The root kra means perfect, complete. The word Creatoris from the same root. Kratos power refers to vigor, dominion, might, and strength. The verb form means to seize, arrest and imprison, especially using force! Kratos power refers to complete power with dominion and authority and force behind it.
How do we get it?! We hold onto it! 1 Cor. 16.13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong (same root as kratos). We stand fast in it and hold on to what we know is true from the Lord and His Word: 2 Th. 2.15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold (kratos) the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. We hold onto the things we profess: Heb. 4.4 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast (kratos) our profession.
In Luke 2:40 we see that as Jesus grew He waxed strong (kratos) in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Then in Eph. 3:16 Paul prays That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;… So we see that as Jesus grew and waxed strong in spirit filled with wisdom and the grace of God upon him, so might we, according to the riches of Hisglory, be strengthened with the same kratos might by His Spirit in our inner man! Col 1.11: Strengthened with all might (dunamis) according to his glorious kratos power…
1. Dunamis: Equipped With Dynamite.
2. Energeia (Energeo): Energized With the Power and Zeal of God.
3. Ischus: Holding and Staying Power.
4. Kratos: Complete Power With Dominion and Authority.
Eph 3.20-21 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power (dunamis) that worketh (energio) in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
