Reference: Power
American
For the use of this word in 1Co 11:10, see VEIL.
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For this cause, ought the woman to have, permission, upon her head, because of the messengers.
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/emb'>Ac 2:22; '/Acts/8/13/type/emb'>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 to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
Thine, O Yahweh, are Greatness, and Might, and Beauty, and Victory, and Majesty, nay! all in the heavens and in the earth, - thine, O Yahweh, is the kingdom, who art exalted above all, - as chief;
One thing, hath God spoken, Two things, there are which I have heard, That, power, belongeth unto God;
And bring us not into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Many, will say unto me, in, that, day, Lord! Lord! did we not, in thy name, prophesy, and, in thy name, cast, demons, out, - and, in thy name, many works of power, perform?
But, straightway after the tribulation of those days, the sun, will be darkened, and, the moon, will not give her brightness, and, the stars, will fall from heaven, - and, the powers of the heavens, will be shaken;
Jesus saith unto him: Thou, hast said; Moreover, I say unto you - Hereafter, ye will see the Son of Man, sitting on the right hand of power, and coming upon the clouds of heaven.
And, the stars, will, out of the heavens, be falling, - and, the powers which are in the heavens, will be shaken;
Alas for thee, Chorazin! Alas for thee, Bethsaida! Because, if, in Tyre and Zidon, had been done the works of power which have been down in you, of old, in sackcloth and ashes sitting, they would have repented.
But, whensoever they shall be bringing you in before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, do not be anxious how, or whatye shall answer, or what ye shall say;
Verily, verily, I say unto you - He that believeth on me, the works which, I, am doing, he also, shall do; and, greater than these, shall he do, because, I, unto the Father, am going, -
Jesus answered him - Thou couldst have had no authority against me, at all, if it had not been given unto thee from above. Therefore, he that delivered me unto thee, hath, greater sin.
Ye men of Israel! hear these words: - Jesus the Nazarene, a man pointed out of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs, which God did through him in your midst, just as ye yourselves know,
Unto whom all were giving heed, from small even to great, saying - This, is the Power of God, which is called Great.
And, Simon himself also, believed; and, having been immersed, was in constant attendance on Philip, - and, beholding signs and great works of power coming to pass, was astonished.
For I am not ashamed of the joyful message; for it is God's power unto salvation, to every one that believeth, both to Jew firstand to Greek;
Let, every soul, unto protecting authorities be in subjection; for there is no authority save by God, and, they that are in being, have by God been arranged, -
Let, every soul, unto protecting authorities be in subjection; for there is no authority save by God, and, they that are in being, have by God been arranged, -
For, the discourse which concerneth the cross, unto them, indeed, who are perishing, is, foolishness; but, unto them who are being saved - unto us, it is, God's power.
But, unto the called themselves - both Jews and Greeks, Christ, God's power, and, God's wisdom.
Over-above all principality, authority, and power, and lordship, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the coming one,
In which at one time ye walked, according to the age of the world, according to the prince of the authority of the air, of the spirit that now energiseth in the sons of disobedience,
In order that now, unto the principalities and the authorities in the heavenlies, might be made known, through means of the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God, -
Because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but, against the principalities, against the authorities, against the world-holders, of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenlies.
Because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but, against the principalities, against the authorities, against the world-holders, of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenlies.
Because, in him, were created all things in the heavens and upon the earth, the things seen and the things unseen, whether thrones or lordships or principalities or authorities, - they all, through him and for him, have been created,
And ye are, in him, filled full, - Who, is the head of all principality and authority,
Spoiling the principalities and the authorities, he made of them an open example, celebrating a triumph over them thereby.
Be putting them in mind, unto rulerships, unto authorities, to be in submission, to be yielding to rule, for every good work, to be, prepared,
And have tasted God's utterance to be, sweet, mighty works also of a coming age,
And, for this cause, of a new covenant, is he mediator, - to the end that, death coming to pass for the redemption of the transgressions against the first covenant, the called might receive the promise of the age-abiding 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 ye may know, that the Son of Man hath, authority, upon the earth, to be forgiving sins, then, saith he to the paralytic, - Rise! take up thy couch, and withdraw unto thy house.
And Jesus, coming near, spake unto them, saying - All authority, in heaven and on earth, hath been given unto me;
And the adversary said to him - Unto thee, will I give this authority, all together, and their glory; because, unto me, hath it been delivered up, and, to whomsoever I please, I give it:
But, as many as did receive him, he gave, unto them, authority, children of God, to become, - unto them who were believing on his name:
Even as thou gavest him authority over all flesh, that, as touching whatsoever thou hast given him, he might give unto them, life age-abiding.
Let, every soul, unto protecting authorities be in subjection; for there is no authority save by God, and, they that are in being, have by God been arranged, - So that, he who rangeth himself against the authority, against the arrangement of God opposeth himself, and, they who oppose, shall unto themselves a sentence of judgment receive. read more. For, they who bear rule, are not a terror unto the good work but unto the evil. Wouldst thou not be afraid of the authority? That which is good, be thou doing, and thou shall have praise of the same;
Over-above all principality, authority, and power, and lordship, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the coming one,
In order that now, unto the principalities and the authorities in the heavenlies, might be made known, through means of the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God, -
Because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but, against the principalities, against the authorities, against the world-holders, of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenlies.
Because, in him, were created all things in the heavens and upon the earth, the things seen and the things unseen, whether thrones or lordships or principalities or authorities, - they all, through him and for him, have been created,
And ye are, in him, filled full, - Who, is the head of all principality and authority,
Spoiling the principalities and the authorities, he made of them an open example, celebrating a triumph over them thereby.
Be putting them in mind, unto rulerships, unto authorities, to be in submission, to be yielding to rule, for every good work, to be, prepared,