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 power [veil] on her head because 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/sawyer'>Ac 2:22; '/Acts/8/13/type/sawyer'>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 bring us not into trial, but deliver us from evil.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name performed many mighty works?
And 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 powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
Jesus said to him, As you say; but I tell you that hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.
and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers in the heavens shall be shaken.
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in you, they would long ago have changed their minds, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
And when they bring you to the synagogues, and powers, and authorities, be not anxious how you shall defend yourselves, or what you shall say;
I tell you most truly, he that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go to the Father;
Jesus answered, You would have had no power against me if it had not been given you from above; therefore he that delivered me to you has a greater sin.
Men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus the Nazoraean, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and prodigies and miracles, which God performed by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves know,
to whom all from the least to the greatest attended, saying, This is the power of God which is called great.
And Simon also himself believed, and being baptized attended constantly on Philip; and beholding the mighty works and miracles that were performed, he was astonished.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel; for it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believes, the Jew first and also the Greek.
Let every soul be subject to the superior powers. For there is no power except from God, and the [powers] which exist have been ordained by God.
Let every soul be subject to the superior powers. For there is no power except from God, and the [powers] which exist have been ordained by God.
For the word of the cross is to the lost foolishness, but to the saved the power of God.
but to the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and wisdom of God;
above every principality and authority and power and lordship, and every name that is named, not only in this life but also in that to come,
that now to the principalities and powers in the heavenly [worlds] should be made known, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God,
for our conflict is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the potentates of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual [hosts] of evil in the heavenly [worlds].
for our conflict is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the potentates of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual [hosts] of evil in the heavenly [worlds].
for by him were all things created which are in heaven and on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or powers. All things were created through him and for him,
and you are made perfect in him, who is the head of all principality and power,
[and] having subjugated principalities and powers, he made a public exhibition of them, leading them in triumph by it.
Admonish them to be subject to principalities, to powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work,
and having tasted of the good word of God and the powers of the life to come,
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new covenant, that death having been for a redemption of transgressions [transgressors] under the first covenant, the called might 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 power on the earth to forgive sins, then he said to the paralytic, Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.
And Jesus coming near spoke to them, saying, All power is given me in heaven and on the earth;
And the devil said to him, All this power will I give you, and the glory of these; for it is given to me, and I give it to whom I will.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become sons of God, to them that believe on his name,
as thou hast given him power over all flesh, that as to all that thou hast given him he should give them eternal life.
Let every soul be subject to the superior powers. For there is no power except from God, and the [powers] which exist have been ordained by God. So that he who resists the power resists the ordinance of God; and those who resist shall receive judgment on themselves. read more. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Will you not fear the power? Do good, and you shall have praise from it;
above every principality and authority and power and lordship, and every name that is named, not only in this life but also in that to come,
that now to the principalities and powers in the heavenly [worlds] should be made known, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God,
for our conflict is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the potentates of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual [hosts] of evil in the heavenly [worlds].
for by him were all things created which are in heaven and on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or powers. All things were created through him and for him,
and you are made perfect in him, who is the head of all principality and power,
[and] having subjugated principalities and powers, he made a public exhibition of them, leading them in triumph by it.
Admonish them to be subject to principalities, to powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work,