Power (Noun, and Verb, to have, bring under) - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
Power (Noun, and Verb, to have, bring under)
[ A-1,Noun,G1411, dunamis ]for the different meanings of which See ABILITY, MIGHT, is sometimes used, by metonymy, of persons and things, e.g.,
(a) of God, Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:62;
(b) of angels, e.g., perhaps in Ephesians 1:21, RV, power," AV, "might" (cp. Romans 8:38; 1 Peter 3:22);
(c) of that which manifests God's "power:" Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:24; the Gospel, Romans 1:16;
(d) of mighty works (RV, marg., "power" or "powers"), e.g., Mark 6:5, "mighty work;" so Mark 9:39, RV (AV, "miracle"); Acts 2:22 (ditto); Acts 8:13, "miracles;" 2 Corinthians 12:12, RV, "mighty works" (AV, "mighty deeds").
Note: For different meanings of synonymous terms, See Note under DOMINION, A, No. 1.
[ A-2,Noun,G1849, exousia ]
denotes "freedom of action, right to act;" used of God, it is absolute, unrestricted, e.g., Luke 12:5 (RV marg., "authority"); in Acts 1:7 "right of disposal" is what is indicated; used of men, authority is delegated. Angelic beings are called "powers" in Ephesians 3:10 (cp. Ephesians 1:21); Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:6; Colossians 2:15 (cp. Colossians 2:10). See AUTHORITY, No. 1, See also PRINCIPALITY.
[ A-3,Noun,G2479, ischus ]
"ability, force, strength," is nowhere translated "power" in the RV (AV in 2 Thessalonians 1:9). See ABILITY, No. 2.
[ A-4,Noun,G2904, kratos ]
is translated "power" in the RV and AV in 1 Timothy 6:16; Hebrews 2:14; in Ephesians 1:19 (last part); Ephesians 6:10, AV, "power" (RV, "strength"): See DOMINION, A, No. 1, STRENGTH, A, No. 3.
[ A-5,Noun,G1415, dunaton ]
the neuter of the adjective dunatos, "powerful" (akin to No. 1), is used as a noun with the article in Romans 9:22, "(to make His) power (known)." See ABLE.
[ A-6,Noun,G746, arche ]
"a beginning, rule," is translated "power" in Luke 20:20, AV (RV, "rule"). See BEGINNING, B.
[ B-1,Verb,G1850, exousiazo ]
"to exercise authority" (akin to A, No. 2), is used
(a) in the Active Voice, Luke 22:25, RV, "have authority" (AV, "exercise authority"), of the "power" of rulers; 1 Corinthians 7:4 (twice), of marital relations and conditions;
(b) in the Passive Voice, 1 Corinthians 6:12, to be brought under the "power" of a thing; here, this verb and the preceding one connected with it, exesti, present a paronomasia, which Lightfoot brings out as follows: "all are within my power; but I will not put myself under the power of any one of all things." See AUTHORITY, B, No. 1.
Notes:
(1) In Revelation 13:14-Revelation 13:15, AV, didomi, "to give," is translated "(he) had power;" RV, "it was given (him)" and "it was given unto him;" the AV misses the force of the permissive will of God in the actings of the Beast.
(2) In Romans 16:25, AV, dunamai, "to be able," is translated "that is of power" (RV, "that is able"). See ABLE.
(3) The subject of power in Scripture may be viewed under the following heads:
(a) its original source, in the Persons in the Godhead;
(b) its exercise by God in creation, its preservation and its government;
(c) special manifestations of Divine "power," past, present and future;
(d) "power" existent in created beings, other than man, and in inanimate nature;
(e) committed to man, and misused by him;
(f) committed to those who, on becoming believers, were "empowered" by the Spirit of God, are indwelt by Him, and will exercise it hereafter for God's glory.