04 – The Spirit of Power

Word Study

Greek

Words

1538 δύναμαι (dynamai): vb.; ≡ DBLHebr 3523; Str 1410; TDNT 2.284—LN 74.5 be able, have ability (Mt 3:9)

1539 δύναμις (dynamis), εως (eōs), ἡ (hē): n.fem.; ≡ DBLHebr 2657, 2658, 7372; Str 1411; TDNT 2.284—1. LN 74.1 ability, to perform an activity (2Co 1:8); 2. LN 76.1 power (Ac 1:8); 3. LN 76.7 mighty deed, miracle (Ac 2:22); 4. LN 37.61 ruler, human ruler (Ro 8:38), for another interp, see next; 5. LN 12.44 supernatural power (Mt 24:29; Mk 13:25; Lk 21:26; Eph 1:21; Ro 8:38), for another interp, see prior; 6. LN 33.134 meaning, what is intended (1Co 14:11); 7. cf. LN 12.43–12.50 τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ θεοῦ (tēn dynamin tou theou), and τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ ἐχθροῦ (tēn dynamin tou echthrou), supernatural army, formally, the army of God and the army of the enemy (i.e., demonic army), suggested from the context, and the common LXX use of this word for “army.” For another interp, see “power” above (Mt 22:29; Mk 12:24; Lk 10:19+)

1540 δυναμόω (dynamoō): vb.; ≡ Str 1412; TDNT 2.284—LN 74.6 enable, (pass.) to be strengthened (Col 1:11; Heb 11:34+; Eph 6:10 v.r. NA26)

Key Verses

The authorization and empowerment of divine grace

Luke 10:19–20 (NASB95)

19 “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.

20 “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”

2 Timothy 1:6–14 (NASB95)

6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,

9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,

10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

11 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.

Ability or power to accomplish something

Acts 1:8 (NASB95)
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Acts 2:22 (NASB95)
22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—

Matthew 22:29 (NASB95)

29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.

Ruling or governing powers

Matthew 24:29 (NASB95)

29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Ephesians 1:21 (NASB95)

21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Romans 8:38 (NASB95)

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

Hebrew

1475 גִּבּוֹר (gib·bôr): adj. see also 1475.5; ≡ Str 1368; TWOT 310b—1. LN 79.62–79.69 mighty, powerful, i.e., pertaining to being strong (Pr 30:30; Ps 112:2); 2. LN 76 mighty, i.e., pertaining to having political or military force (Da 11:3);  3. LN 9 unit: אֵל גִּבּוֹר (ʾēl gib·bôr) Mighty God, i.e., title of One on David’s throne (Isa 9:6; 10:21), note: the idiom may have a focus on the might or power of the individual and not the deity, based on the meaning of אֵל (ʾēl), though others see it as a crux for the deity of Messiah, see also domain LN 12; 4. LN 37.48–37.95 unit: אֵל גִּבּוֹר (ʾēl gib·bôr) mighty leader (Eze 32:21+)

גִּבּוֹר (gib·bôr): n.masc. served by 1475; ≡ Str 1368; TWOT 310b—1. LN 55.14–55.22 mighty warrior, valiant soldier, i.e., mighty hero who is very capable of defense or attack (1Sa 2:4; Ps 33:16), note: see also domain LN 74; 2. LN 87.19–87.57 unit: גִּבּוֹר חַיִל (gib·bôr ḥǎ·yil) prominence, one of standing, i.e., a community leader of influence (Ru 2:1; Ezr 7:28); 3. LN 55.14–55.22 unit: גִּבּוֹר חַיִל (gib·bôr ḥǎ·yil) the best of the fighting men (Jos 10:7); 4. LN 88.283–88.288 unit: גִּבּוֹר לְ־ שָׁתָה (gib·bôr l- šā·ṯā(h)) mighty at drinking wine, i.e., drunkards able to hold their liquor (Isa 5:22)

1476 גְּבוּרָה (geḇû·rā(h)): n.fem.; ≡ Str 1369; TWOT 310c—1. LN 76 power, strength, might, i.e., the force or power in comparison to others, with the focus on the majestic awe ascribed to the one possessing this power (Job 39:19), see also LN 74, and LN 79.62–79.69; 2. LN 39.52–39.61 victory, formally, power, i.e., a state of the defeat of an enemy and so conquer them (Ex 32:18); 3. LN 55.14–55.22 warrior, strong man, formally, power, i.e., a soldier strong and capable to defeat an enemy (Isa 3:25); 4. LN 42.7–42.28 achievement, formally, ability, i.e., what has been accomplished or performed to a completion (1Ki 15:23), see also domain LN 68.22–68.33

Key Verses

Ruling power or status indicating one holds a domain or keep the land:

Psalm 112:2 (NASB95)

2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed.

Daniel 11:3 (NASB95)

3 “And a mighty king will arise, and he will rule with great authority and do as he pleases.

Ability or strength to conquer or overcome

Exodus 32:18 (NASB95)

18 But he said, “It is not the sound of the cry of triumph, Nor is it the sound of the cry of defeat; But the sound of singing I hear.”

Judges 6:12 (NASB95)

12 The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior.”

Study of another Key verse:

Zechariah 4:6–7 (NASB95)
6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. 7 ‘What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”

1. Might: 2657 חַיִל (ḥǎ·yil): n.masc.; ≡ Str 2428, 381; TWOT 624a—1. LN 79.62–79.69 physical strength (2Sa 22:40; Ps 18:40EB 39; Ecc 10:10; Zec 4:6); 2. LN 57.25–57.35 wealth (Ge 34:29; Nu 31:9; Dt 8:17, 18; Job 20:18); 3. LN 75 ability, special ability or capability, qualified for a task (Ge 47:6; Ex 18:21, 25; 2Ki 2:16; 1Ch 26:6); 4. LN 55.7–55.13 troops, army (Ex 14:4, 9, 17, 28; 15:4; Nu 31:14); 5. LN 37.48–37.95 strong, political or military strength (Nu 24:18); 6. LN 88.1–88.11 noble character, strong character, worthy person (Ru 3:11; 1Ki 1:42; Pr 12:4; 31:10); 7. LN 15.150 large group, caravan, i.e., a non-military travel-merchant group (1Ki 10:2; 2Ch 9:1); 8. LN 23.46–23.60 vigor, strength, manhood, i.e., the male strength given in the sex act (Pr 31:3); 9. LN 11.12–11.54 group, i.e., a socio-religious group of exiles (Ob 20); 10. LN 80 unit: חַיִל אֶל חַיִל (ḥǎ·yil ʾěl ḥǎ·yil) place to place, formally, strength to strength, i.e., to go from one physical place to another, either from town to town or from an outer wall to an inner wall, or some other place to place (Ps 84:8EB 7); 11. LN 55.14–55.22 unit: בֵּן חַיִל (bēn ḥǎ·yil) brave soldier, formally, son of strength, i.e., an elite fighting soldier (2Sa 17:10); 12. LN 55.14–55.22 unit: גִּבּוֹר חַיִל (gib·bôr ḥǎ·yil) mighty man, formally, mighty of strength, i.e., an elite soldier (1Ch 11:26), note: for another interp of Zec 9:4 see 2658; note: Ob 20 oth 2658; as a part of a compound name, Ben-Hail, see 1211
2. Power: 3946 I. כֹּחַ (kōaḥ): n.masc.; ≡ Str 3581; TWOT 973a—1. LN 76 power, might, i.e., the potential to exert force in performing some function (Zec 4:6); 2. LN 79.62–79.69 strength, i.e., physical muscular power (Jdg 16:5–30 passim); 3. LN 43 crops, i.e., produce that comes from the ground (Ge 4:12); 4. LN 76 might, strength, virility, i.e., one’s manhood or manly vigor (Ge 49:3); 5. LN 37.48–37.95 authority, i.e., power as relates to the status of a ruler (Ex 15:6); 6. LN 76 mighty deed, i.e., a sup.-natural act of power as a wonder or miracle (Ex 9:16); 7. LN 74 ability, i.e., that which is a capability to do or perform (Dt 8:18); 8. LN 23.129–23.141 vigorous, i.e., in robust health (Jos 14:11); 9. LN 57.25–57.35 resources, wealth, i.e., the material goods of a person as possessions (1Ch 29:2; Job 6:22; Pr 5:10); 10. LN 33.69–33.108 shout, i.e., a loud, strong yell with the voice (Isa 40:9); 11. LN 75 qualified, i.e., one adequate for a task or function (Da 1:4); 12. LN 74 unit: מִן כֹּחַ (min kōaḥ) helpless, formally, without strength, i.e., not able to take an action (Jer 48:45)
3. Spirit or Anointing: 8120 רוּחַ (rûaḥ): n.fem.; ≡ Str 7307; TWOT 2131a—1. LN 12.1–12.42 Spirit, i.e., the divine Power of God, which can be grieved, closely identified with the LORD himself (Ps 106:33; Isa 63:10); 2. LN 26 spirit, mind, heart, i.e., the psychological faculty which can respond to God (2Ch 36:22); 3. LN 23.185–23.187 breath, i.e., unit of air that comes from the lungs, as a normal sign of animate life, with an associative meaning of causation of an event (Ge 6:17); 4. LN 14.4–14.9 wind, i.e., air in rapid movement, as a normal weather condition (Ge 8:1), note: in some contexts “wind” has an associative meaning of not having substance and so a vanity or emptiness; 5. LN 79.104–79.109 side, i.e., an area at the side of an object (1Ch 9:24; Jer 52:23; Eze 42:16, 17, 18, 19, 20); 6. LN 25.156–25.166 courage, i.e., a state of confidence in the face of danger or trouble (Jos 2:11; 5:1); 7. LN 88.167–88.170 resentment, anger, i.e., a state of moderate displeasure over a situation or person (Jdg 8:3); 8. LN 23.88–23.128 unit: אָסַף רוּחַ (ʾā·sǎp̄ rûaḥ) die, formally, take away their breath (Ps 104:29); 9. LN 25.167–25.178 unit: אָרֵךְ רוּחַ (ʾā·rēḵ rûaḥ) patience (Ecc 7:8+); 10. LN 88.51–88.58 unit: בָּצַר רוּחַ (bā·ṣǎr rûaḥ) humble, formally, cuts off the spirit, i.e., brings one of a high status to a low status (Ps 76:13EB 12+), see also domain LN 87.58–87.75; 11. LN 32.42–32.61 unit: דַּעַת רוּחַ (dǎ·ʿǎṯ rûaḥ) foolish notion, vain thought, formally, knowledge of wind (Job 15:2); 12. LN 33.26–33.34 unit: דָּבָר רוּחַ (dā·ḇār rûaḥ) long-winded speech, formally, words of mere breath, i.e., make a formal argumentation which goes on for a long time, and so implied to be disdained by the hearer (Job 16:3+); 13. LN 87.4–87.18 unit: הָיָה עוֹד בְּ־ רוּחַ (hā·yā(h) ʿôḏ b- rûaḥ) be overwhelmed, i.e., to be impressed with a situation or person and so give honor (2Ch 9:4); 14. LN 88.83–88.92 unit: מַעְצָר לְ־ רוּחַ (mǎʿ·ṣār l- rûaḥ) self-control, formally, restraint of the spirit, i.e., the exercising of control over the desires and actions of the self (Pr 25:28+); 15. LN 25.288–25.296 unit: קֹצֶר רוּחַ (qō·ṣěr rûaḥ) discouragement, despondency, formally, lack of spirit, i.e., the state or condition of lacking hope and so feeling mental fatigue to be motivated (Ex 6:9+); 16. LN 88.171–88.191 unit: קָצֵר רוּחַ (qā·ṣēr rûaḥ) quick-tempered, hot-tempered, i.e., pertaining to being angry with relatively little provocation (Pr 14:29+); 17. LN 25.223–25.250 unit: קָשֶׁה רוּחַ (qā·šě(h) rûaḥ) deeply troubled, formally, hard of spirit, i.e., to be experiencing distress, worry, anxiety (1Sa 1:15+); 18. LN 88.93–88.99 unit: קַר רוּחַ (qǎr rûaḥ) even-tempered, cool-headed, formally, cool of spirit, i.e., pertaining to sensible, restrained behavior even under difficult circumstance (Pr 17:27+ K+), note: for Q see 3701; 19. LN 12.39 unit: רוּחַ הַ־ טֻמְאָה (rûaḥ hǎ- ṭǔm·ʾā(h)) demon, formally, spirit of uncleanness, i.e., a false entity which communicates messages to false prophets (Zec 13:2), note: NIV translates “spirit of impurity” so implying as an attitude of sin and rebellion; 20. LN 25.223–25.250 unit: רוּחַ נָכֵא (rûaḥ nā·ḵē(ʾ)) hopeless state, formally, crushed of spirit, i.e., a condition where one is in an utter state of distress and so without hope, as a figurative extension of the pressing or crushing of an object (Pr 15:13; 17:22; 18:14+); 21. LN 12.1–12.42 unit: רוּחַ רַע (rûaḥ rǎʿ) evil spirit (1Sa 16:14);

What is power as a spiritual attribute?

1. Grace = divine enabling
2. Its governmental or legal construct and operation
3. Delegated authority and power
   1. Delegation
   2. Empowerment
   3. Exercise
   4. A flow of life in a living reality not a rigid construct by our imagination/speculation
4. What is spiritual reality?

Its context: The basics of divine order

1. Heaven
2. Earth
3. Church

Divine enabling

The Process:

1. A New Man in a new World
2. Power (privilege or endowment) => Enabling => Capacity => Mastery => Freedom

As a ministry operation

1. Receiving
2. Giving
3. Cultural
4. Governmental

Caution for discernment against misuse and abuse

1. Assessment of such
2. Tutorage and guardianship
3. Apostolic grace and oversight for nourishment and protection