I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power …
Summary: Looking into the Greek word for “power,” we discover a deeper understanding of what Paul is asking for us to have.
Sometime during the last year of the nineteenth century, a man named Lewis E. Jones published a hymn he had written titled, “Would you be free from your burden of sin?” Lewis wrote hymns like I write blog posts — he wrote a lot of them. He was often inspired by a sermon he listened to and would express the insights God gave him in song. This particular song is all about power. The refrain goes like this:
“There is power, power, wonder-working power,
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is power, power, wonder-working power,
In the precious blood of the Lamb.”*
When Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians, his prayer was about “wonder-working power.” He was asking that God provide the Ephesian believers, and you and me, with something very special.
The Greek word Paul used was “dýnamis.” Pastor Rich often points out that this is the same root the word “dynamite” comes from. The way that Paul used the word is to express a transformative event. These events are primarily in the spiritual realm, but can also extend into the physical. Strong’s Concordance gives the following description for the word:
“[A] force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):—ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.” **
Paul had seen this power at work in his own life. The first time was his conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). After that, God’s power, his “dýnamis,” showed up in Paul’s ministry time and time again.
While in Paphos on the island of Cyrus, Paul was confronted by a sorcerer who attempted to undermine the Word of God. God’s power manifested itself by causing the man to go blind for a time. (Acts 13:4-12)
At Iconium, the Lord confirmed the words of Paul and Barnabas with “signs and wonders.” (Acts 14:1-3)
In Lystra, Paul commanded a lame man to be healed, and he was. (Acts 14:8-10)
When Paul was in Jerusalem at a council of the church’s leaders, he and Barnabas testified about the signs and wonders God had done through them. (Acts 15:12)
In Philippi he commanded a certain spirit to leave a woman, and it did. (Acts 16:16-18)
Luke records that while Paul was in Ephesus, “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” (Acts 19:11-12)
In a town called Troas, Paul even raised a young man from the dead. (Acts 20:7-12)
Now with all that in mind, let’s revisit Paul’s words:
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power …”
Application: Think about the amazing dynamite power of God.
Food for Thought: If God strengthened you with the kind of power Paul experienced in his ministry, how would that change your life?
*A really fun version of Lewis E. Jones’ “Would you be free from your burden of sin?” can be found here.
** “G1411 – dynamis – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (niv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 30 May, 2023.
If God strengthened you with the kind of power Paul experienced in his ministry, how would that change your life?
I don’t really think my life would be anything that mattered as much as how would that change others lives. All that healing and being able to lead others to Jesus. All things done to glorify God. That would actually change me to be joyful.
Thank you, Tim!
You make a great point: Having God’s power in us does not make us more important in God’s eyes, but it does make us more useful in leading others to God.
If God strengthened you with the kind of power Paul experienced in his ministry, how would that change your life?
Paul experienced God’s power working through him because of his faith. To say “if God strengthened me with the kind of power Paul experienced” would mean I too had the faith to have God work through me, like Paul, and that would be the life changing force. I really would have no special abilities, just the faith nessessary for God to work through me. His abilities coming out of me. As Tim touched on, my life would become a light in the darkness, revealing Gods glory, and calling those around me to Christ. I think if I could live a life like that, my life would be different in the level of peace in my heart, what I did or did not care about in this world, and, as I sit here and meditate on it, my relationship with the Father, Son, and Spirit.
Jesus told us in Matthew 17:20-21
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Great words to quote but so difficult to live. Paul had that faith, and God worked through him.
Chris,
If more of what Paul had brought him closer to God as you point out, it sounds like something to strive for.
I think Paul’s life as an Apostle and the many spiritual gifts and talents bestowed upon him were given for a purpose. That purpose was to spread the gospel. To make Christ known. To be His witness. To make disciples. To glorify Him. That is the same purpose we all have in Christ (Matthew 28: 19; Acts 1: 8; 2 Corinthians 5: 14 – 21). We use our gifts and talents for the same reason. If I had more gifts and talents, the reason would not change, maybe the ability to produce more fruit would. But I simply need to be faithful in what He has given me to do.
Amen, Brother Rich!
Well said.
You bring to mind the parable of the bags of gold. (Matthew 25:14-30) The conclusion of the parable stresses the importance of using what God has given us as you point out.
“For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”
(Matthew 25:29)
05-30-2023, If God strengthened you with the kind of power Paul experienced in his ministry, how would that change your life?
Is it possible God has blessed each of us with the power greater than we can imagine, equal to that given to Paul, and the better question might be,
“ARE WE DEVOTING OUR LIVES WORSHIPPING AND SERVING GOD AS PAUL DID?”
Philippians 3:17-21, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
Are we getting out or the way and allowing God to be seen in our lives, to be used by God as Paul did? Jesus loves us, gave Himself for us and today lives in each believer, empowering each too in increasing HUMILITY do His will. We must fix this truth in our hearts and minds, now and ALLOW JESUS IN HIS POWER TO WORK THROUGH US, which will strengthen our faith as well as increase our humility before God.
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21
“Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
God’s power is seen in our lives to the degree we live in faith and trust Him as our provider of ALL things. Do we start each day by setting aside time with God, to meditate on His Word. Do we obey Jesus, think about the birds of the air and how God provides for them. Think about how much more we mean to our Father than the birds. Free ourselves of all thoughts of how little we are worth.
Matthew 6:26-27
2 Peter 1:3-5 3 Jesus has the power of God. And His power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God.
John 14:12, “Truly truly I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works I do, and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
Thank you, Ron!
Great reference passages! I agree with your words, “God’s power is seen in our lives to the degree we live in faith and trust Him…”