Greek Terms - Part 2B
This is the final part of our series on Power. Hopefully you've studied all the other parts and are now ready for the last one. If you have, you're discovering some very interesting things about power as identified in scripture. The other parts are available at the following links if you haven't yet seen them.
Part 1A - Hebrew TermsPart 1B - Hebrew Terms
Part 1C - Hebrew Terms
Part 2A - Greek Terms
G1849 – exousia – used 104 times
Power, authority, freedom. Indicative of having the authority to do something, coupled with the ability to accomplish it. It us used of the freedom of choice, the ability to influence another. The references are not only to The Messiah, YAHWEH, or ourselves, but also to the demonic realm. There are several varieties to this form of power.
1849. ejxousi÷a exousia, ex-oo-see´-ah; from 1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: — authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
1832. e¶xesti exesti, ex´-es-tee; third person singular present indicative of a compound of 1537 and 1510; so also
ejxo/n exon, ex-on´; neuter present participle of the same (with or without some form of 1510 expressed); impersonally, it is right (through the figurative idea of being out in public): — be lawful, let, x may(-est).
Matthew 7:29: For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Matthew 8:9: For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it.
Matthew 9:6: But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins, (then He said to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.
Matthew 10:1: And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Matthew 21:23: And when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority do You do these things? And who gave You this authority? 24 And YAHUSHUA answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell me, I in like manner will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Matthew 28:18: And YAHUSHUA came and spoke o them, saying, All power is given to Me in heaven and in earth.
Mark 1:22: And they were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Mark 1:27: And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they do obey Him.
Mark 6:7 : And He called unto Him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
Luke 4:6: And the devil said to Him, All this power will I give You, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
Luke 12: :5 But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear. Fear Him, who after He has killed has power to cast into hell; yes, I say unto you, fear Him.
Luke 12:11: And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take no thought how or what thing you shall answer, or what you shall say:
Luke 20:20: And they watched Him, and sent forth spies, which should pretend themselves to be just men, that they might take hold of His words, that so they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the governor.
Luke 22:53: When I was daily with you in the temple, you stretched forth no hands against Me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
John 1:12: But as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of Yahweh, even to them that believe on His name:
John 10:18 : No man takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father.
John 17:2: As You have given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.
John 19:10: Then Pilate said to Him, Do You not speak to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and have power to release You? 11 YAHUSHUA answered, You could have no power at all against Me, unless it were given to you from above: therefore he that delivered Me to you has the greater sin.
Acts 1:7 : And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own power.
Romans 9:21 : Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel for honor, and another for dishonor?
Romans 13:1 : Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of YAHWEH: the powers that be are ordained of Yahweh. 2 Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of YAHWEH: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
1 Corinthians 7:37: Nevertheless he that stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well.
2 Corinthians 10:8: For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which The Sovereignr has given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
2 Corinthians 13:10: Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which The Sovereign has given me for edification, and not to destruction.
Ephesians 1:21: Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Ephesians 2:2: Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:
Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Colossians 1:13: Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son:
Colossians 1:16: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him:
Colossians 2:10: And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power:
Titus 3:1: Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
Revelation 2:26: And he that overcomes, and keeps My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Revelation 11:6: These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
Revelation 12:10 : And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the power of His Messiah: for the accuser of our brothers is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Revelation 13:2: And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Revelation 20:6 : Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of YAHWEH and of The Messiah, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Revelation 22:14: Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
G2479 – ischus – used 11 times
2479. ijscu/ß ischus, is-khoos´; from a derivative of ijß is (force; compare e¶scon eschon, a form of 2192); forcefulness (literally or figuratively): — ability, might(-ily), power, strength.
Mark 12:30: And you shall love YAHWEH, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.
Mark 12:33: And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Ephesians 1:19; And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us believe, according to the working of His mighty power,
Ephesians 6:10: Finally, my brothers, be strong in The Sovereign, and in the power of His might.
2 Thessalonians 1:9; Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of YAHWEH, and from the glory of His power;
2 Peter 2:11: Whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before YAHWEH
Revelation 5:12: Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is The Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Revelation 7:12: Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 18:2: And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
G2904 – kratos – used 12 times
2904. kra¿toß kratos, krat´-os; perhaps a primary word; vigor (“great”) (literally or figuratively): — dominion, might(-ily), power, strength.
Luke 1:51: He has shown strength with His arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Acts 19:20: So the Word of YAHWEH grew mightily and prevailed.
Ephesians 6:10: Finally, my brothers, be strong in The Sovereign, and in the power of His might.
Colossians 1:11: Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Hebrews 2:14: Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the Devil;
Jude 25: To the only wise YAHWEH, our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Revelation 5:13: And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sits on the throne, and unto The Lamb for ever and ever.
G3168 – megaleiotes – used three times
(Shekinah ?)
3168. megaleio/thß megaleiotes, meg-al-i-ot´-ace; from 3167; superbness, i.e. glory or splendor: — magnificence, majesty, mighty power.
3167. megalei√oß megaleios, meg-al-i´-os; from 3173; magnificent, i.e. (neuter, plural as noun) a conspicuous favor, or (subjectively) perfection: — great things, wonderful works.
3173. me÷gaß megas, meg´-as; (including the prolonged forms, feminine megale, plural megaloi, etc.; compare also 3176, 3187); big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application): — (+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, x to years.
Luke 9:43: And they were all amazed at the mighty power of YAHWEH. But while they wondered every one at all things which Yahshuah did, He said unto His disciples,...
Acts 19:27: So that not only this, our craft, is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships.
2 Peter 1:16: For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Sovereign YAHUSHUA, The Messiah, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
If you've taken the time to review these scriptures you've discovered there are numerous understandings of power. It's not as simple as it first looks. Titles of power were not included (i.e. kings, princes, chiefs, captains, etc.) which adds yet another dimension to this subject. The concept of authority has also not been developed in any serious manner, though it has been touched on somewhat. The terminology itself leads us there.
What is clear in reviewing these passages is the realization that all power has its original source in YAHWEH Himself. Without Him no one would have any power whatsoever - we wouldn't even exist. And without His involvement in the affairs of those who wield power in its various forms things would be dramatically different. Without His interventions the actions of the powerful would be far more evil than they already are.
In your struggle with 'the powerful" in your life perhaps the Word of YAHWEH can provide some comfort and encouragement. In the end Yahweh alone has the final say. Every inappropriate use of power will be judged by Him. There will be complete justice meted out one day. In that lies our hope, our faith, and our ability to carry on.