Reference: Power
American
For the use of this word in 1Co 11:10, see VEIL.
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For this cause the woman ought to have authority on 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/nheb'>Ac 2:22; '/Acts/8/13/type/nheb'>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. God saw that it was good.
Yours, LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. For all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.
God has spoken once; twice I have heard this, that power belongs to God.
Let us not come into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'
Many will tell me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, did not we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?'
But immediately after the oppression of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken;
Jesus said to him, "You have said it. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky."
the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.
"Woe to you, Chorazin. Woe to you, Bethsaida. For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say;
Truly, truly, I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.
Jesus answered, "You would have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me to you has greater sin."
"Men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as you yourselves know,
to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is that power of God which is called Great."
Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.
For I am not ashamed of the Good News, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are appointed by God.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are appointed by God.
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
far above all rule, 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 once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience;
to the intent that now through the church the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places,
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world's rulers of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world's rulers of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers; all things have been created by him and for him.
and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power;
having disarmed the rulers and authorities, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come,
For this reason he is the mediator of a New Covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been 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 has authority on earth to forgive sins..." (then he said to the paralytic), "Get up, and take up your mat, and go up to your house."
Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
The devil said to him, "I will give you all this authority, and their glory, for it has been delivered to me; and I give it to whomever I want.
But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, to those who believe in his name,
even as you gave him authority over all flesh, he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are appointed by God. Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. read more. For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same,
far above all rule, 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 intent that now through the church the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places,
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world's rulers of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers; all things have been created by him and for him.
and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power;
having disarmed the rulers and authorities, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,