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 a sign of authority 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/worrell'>Ac 2:22; '/Acts/8/13/type/worrell'>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 temptation but deliver us from the evil one.'
Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by Thy name? and by Thy name cast out demons, and by Thy name do many mighty works,'"
"And, immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light, and the stars will fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken;
Jesus saith to him, "You said it: nevertheless I say to you, henceforth ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."
and the stars will be falling out of the heavens, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.
"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you Bethsaida! because, if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
And, when they bring you in before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, be not anxious how or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall say;
Verily, verily, I say to you, he that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go to the Father.
Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority against Me, unless it were given to you from above; on this account, he who delivered Me up to you has greater sin."
"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus, the Nazarene, a man accredited from God to you by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did through Him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know;
to whom all were giving heed, from small to great, saying, "This man is the power of God, which is called Great."
And Simon also himself believed; and, having been immersed, he was adhering closely to Philip; and, beholding the signs and great miracles being done, he was amazed.
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek
Let every soul be in subjection to the authorities that are over him; for there is no authority, except from God; and the authorities that are have been appointed by God.
Let every soul be in subjection to the authorities that are over him; for there is no authority, except from God; and the authorities that are have been appointed by God.
For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing, foolishness; but to those who are being 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.
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 to come;
in which ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the authority of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience;
in order that now might be made known to the principalities and authorities in the heavenly places, through the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God,
because to us the struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the principalities, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
because to us the struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the principalities, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
because in Him were all things created, in the heavens, and upon the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers??ll things have been created through Him, and for Him;
and ye have been made complete in Him, Who is the Head of all principality and power;
having despoiled the principalities and the powers, He made an example of them, celebrating a triumph over them in it.
Remind them to submit to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work;
and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the coming age,
And, for this cause, He is the Mediator of a new covenant, that, death having taken place for redemption from the transgressions against the first covenant, 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 ye may know that the Son of Man hath authority on the earth to forgive sins" (then saith He to the paralytic), "Arise, and take up your bed, and go to your house."
And Jesus, coming near, spake to them, saying, "All authority was given to Me in Heaven and on earth:
And the Devil said to Him, "To Thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them; because to me it has been delivered, and to whomsoever I will I give it.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those believing in His name;
even as Thou gavest Him authority over all flesh, that to all Whom Thou hast given Him He should give eternal life.
Let every soul be in subjection to the authorities that are over him; for there is no authority, except from God; and the authorities that are have been appointed by God. So that he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those having resisted shall receive to themselves condemnation; read more. for rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And do you wish not to fear the authority? Do that which is good, and you shall 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 to come;
in order that now might be made known to the principalities and authorities in the heavenly places, through the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God,
because to us the struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the principalities, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
because in Him were all things created, in the heavens, and upon the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers??ll things have been created through Him, and for Him;
and ye have been made complete in Him, Who is the Head of all principality and power;
having despoiled the principalities and the powers, He made an example of them, celebrating a triumph over them in it.
Remind them to submit to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work;