Reference: Power
American
For the use of this word in 1Co 11:10, see VEIL.
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For this reason ought the woman to have a token of subjection on her head, on account of the angels.
Hastings
In general the word means ability for doing something, and includes the idea of adequate strength, might, skill, resources, energy, and efficiency, either material, mental, or spiritual, to effect intended results. Strictly speaking, there is no real power or authority in the universe but that which is ultimately of God (Ps 62:11; Joh 19:11; Ro 13:1). But this Almighty One has originated innumerable subordinate powers, and some of these are possessed of ability to perform acts contrary to the will and commandments of the Creator. And so we may speak of the power of God, or of man, or of angel, or of demon, or of powers inherent in things inanimate. Inasmuch as in the highest and absolute sense 'power belongeth unto God,' It is fitting to ascribe unto Him such doxologies as appear in 1Ch 29:11; Mt 6:13. In Mt 26:64 the word 'power' is employed for God Himself, and it is accordingly very natural that it should be often used to denote the various forms of God's activity, especially in His works of creation and redemption. Christ is thus the power of God both in His Person and in His gospel of salvation (1Co 1:18,24; Ro 1:16). The power of the Holy Spirit is also another mode of the Divine activity. By similar usage Simon the sorcerer was called 'the power of God which is called Great' (Ac 8:10), i.e. a supposed incarnation of the power of God. The plural powers is used in a variety of meanings. (1) In Mt 7:22; Lu 10:13; '/Acts/2/22/type/anderson'>Ac 2:22; '/Acts/8/13/type/anderson'>8:13, 'powers,' or 'mighty works,' along with 'signs and wonders,' are to be understood as miracles, and were concrete manifestations of supernatural power. (2) 'The powers of the heavens' (Mt 24:29; Mr 13:25) are understood by some as the forces inherent in the sun, moon, stars, and other phenomena of the heavens, by virtue of which they 'rule over the day and over the night' (Ge 1:18); by others these heavenly powers are understood to be the starry hosts themselves conceived as the armies of the heavens. (3) Both good and evil angels are designated by the terms 'principalities and powers' in such passages as Eph 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:16; 2:10,15; 1Pe 3:22. The context of each passage must show whether the reference is to angels or demons. in Eph 2:2 Samatan is called 'the prince of the power of the air,' and these powers are further defined in Eph 6:12 as 'world-rulers of this darkness, the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.' These are thought of as so many ranks of evil spirits who are ever at war with God's hosts, and seek to usurp the heavenly regions. (4) in Ro 13:1 civil magistrates are called 'the higher powers' because of their superior rank, authority, and influence as officers ordained of God for the administration of justice among men (cf. Lu 12:11; Tit 3:1). (5) 'The powers of the age to come' (Heb 6:5) are best understood of all supernatural gifts and spiritual forces which belong to the age or dispensation of the New Covenant, of which Jesus is the Mediator (cf. Heb 9:15). They include the 'greater works' (Joh 14:12) which Jesus assured His disciples they should do after His going unto the Father and sending them the Spirit of truth. See Authority, Kingdom of God.
M. S. Terry.
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And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out demons, and in thy name done many mighty works?
Immediately after the affliction of those days, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the hosts of the heavens shall be shaken.
Jesus said to him: You have said. Moreover, I say to you, Hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the Almighty, and coming upon the clouds of heaven.
and the stars of heaven will fall, and the hosts that are in the heavens will be shaken.
Alas for thee, Chorazin! alas for thee, Bethsaida! for, if the mighty works which have been done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
When they bring you to the synagogues, and to rulers and authorities, be not anxious how or what you shall answer, or what you shall say;
Verily, verily I say to you, he that believes on me, the works that I do he also shall do. Even greater works than these shall he do, because I go to my Father;
Jesus answered: You could have no authority over me, had it not been given you from above. Therefore, he that delivered me to you, has the greater sin.
Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the Nazarene, clearly pointed out to you as a man from God, by mighty deeds and wonders and signs, which God did by him in your midst, as you yourselves also know,
to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying: This man is the great power of God.
And Simon himself also believed; and after he was immersed, he continued with Philip; and, seeing the mighty deeds and the signs which were done, he was astonished.
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel: for it is the power of God in order to salvation, to every one that believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority but from God: the authorities that are, have been appointed by God.
Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority but from God: the authorities that are, have been appointed by God.
For the preaching of the cross is to those who perish, foolishness; but to us who are saved, it is the power of God.
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
high above every principality and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come;
in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is actively at work in the sons of disobedience:
to the end that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known, through the church, to the principalities and authorities in the heavenly regions,
for our conflict is not with flesh and blood, but with the principalities, with the authorities, with the rulers of the darkness of this world, with the wicked spirits in the heavenly regions.
for our conflict is not with flesh and blood, but with the principalities, with the authorities, with the rulers of the darkness of this world, with the wicked spirits in the heavenly regions.
for by him were all things created, things in heaven and things in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or authorities; all things were created by him, and for him:
And you are complete in him who is the head of all principality and authority:
and having spoiled the principalities and authorities, he made a show of them openly by triumphing over them through it.
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and authorities, to obey rulers, to be ready for every good work,
and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the coming age,
And for this reason, he is the mediator of the new covenant: that, since his death has taken place for the redemption of transgressions that were under the former covenant, those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Morish
The two principal words in the N.T. translated 'power' are 1, ???????, and 2, ???????. It is important to see the difference between them, for their signification is not at all the same. No. 1 may be described as 'capacity, moral or physical ability, power.' No. 2 signifies 'delegated authority, right, privilege, title.' The latter always supposes power to exercise the right; but in the former there is no thought of right or authority. No. 1 is translated in the A.V. 'ability, might, mighty, mighty deeds, miracles, power, strength, violence, mighty works, wonderful works,' etc. which will help further to show the character of the word, contrasted with No. 2, which is translated 'authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, and strength.'
The word 'power' occurs in both lists, and this needs to be cleared of any ambiguity. No. 2 is often translated 'power' where some other word would convey the sense better; but there is no single word in the English language that exactly answers to the Greek, and which would suit in all places. A concordance must be consulted for a full list of the occurrences: a few passages only are cited. All 'authority' is given to the Lord Jesus. Mt 9:6; 28:18; Joh 17:2. Satan offered to give to the Lord 'authority' over the kingdoms of the world which had been delivered to him, if the Lord would fall down and worship him. Lu 4:6. To as many as received the Lord, to them gave He 'right ' or 'title' to become the children of God. Joh 1:12. "There is no 'authority' but of God," No. 2 occurring five times in Ro 13:1-3. Along with 'principality' occurs No. 2 in Eph 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:16; 2:10,15; Tit 3:1.
The principal thing to remember is that No. 2 signifies a delegated right or title, with the presumed power or strength to enforce the right; whereas in No. 1 it is strength or power only.
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But that you may know that the Son of man on earth has authority to forgive sins (then he said to the palsied man): Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying: All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me.
And the devil said to him: I will give you all the authority and glory of these, for it is delivered to me; and to whomever I will, I give it.
But as many as received him, to them he gave the privilege of be coming the children of God, even to those who believe on his name;
as thou hast given him authority over all flesh, that he may give eternal life to all that thou hast given him.
Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority but from God: the authorities that are, have been appointed by God. Therefore, he that resists the authority, resists the appointment of God; and those who resist shall receive to themselves condemnation. read more. For rulers are not a terror to works that are good, but to those which are evil. Will you, then, not be afraid of the authority? Do that which is good, and you shall receive praise from the same.
high above every principality and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come;
to the end that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known, through the church, to the principalities and authorities in the heavenly regions,
for our conflict is not with flesh and blood, but with the principalities, with the authorities, with the rulers of the darkness of this world, with the wicked spirits in the heavenly regions.
for by him were all things created, things in heaven and things in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or authorities; all things were created by him, and for him:
And you are complete in him who is the head of all principality and authority:
and having spoiled the principalities and authorities, he made a show of them openly by triumphing over them through it.
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and authorities, to obey rulers, to be ready for every good work,