New Life Church Corpus Christi

There are five Greek words translated “power” in the New Testament.

1. The first one is the Greek word dunamis. This is the word from which we get the English words dynamo and dynamite. It means “inherent power” or, literally, “power stored up within something." (Like a stick of dynamite.)

2. The second word is energeia, which means “outward” or “overt power.” We get the English word energy from this Greek word.

The difference between those two words is this: If a strong man with big muscles walks into the room, someone might look at him and say, “He sure has power.” The word they used would be dunamis, but if he rammed his fist through the wall, they would say, “Sure enough, he has power.” This time, they would have used the Greek word energeia, because he had displayed his power outwardly. Energeia is the display of dunamis.

3. The third word, krataos, or “ruling power.” Our English word democratic, which means “the rule of the people,” comes from this word.

4. The fourth word is ichus. This word means “endowed power.” When a king takes the throne, a certain amount of endowed power is given to him simply because of his office.

5. The fifth word is exeusia. Although this word is translated “power,” it never should be. It should be translated “authority.”

So, what does verse 19 & 20 mean? There was a day in the universe when all of God’s ruling power, all of God’s endowed power, and all of God’s inherent power were put into the form of energy. That was the day Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. More power was displayed that one day than had ever been displayed before.

It took more power for God to redeem us from our sin than it did to create the whole universe and the earth. God had no opposition when He created the earth and universe. But He redeemed us, all hell came against him. “Having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15). He needed more power to bring redemption to us.

What is the practical application for us?

Paul knew the temptations, hardships and persecutions we would face. We are no match for spirits of darkness. We are no match by ourselves against the devil. We don't have what it takes to be who God has called us to be. We by ourselves are powerless.

The fifth Greek word that has been translated “power”— exeusia. This should have been translated “authority.”

When a policeman stands on the corner and raises his hand, cars stop because of his authority, not his power. The policeman is not more powerful than the cars and trucks. What would he do if they didn't stop? The policeman has been given authority over all the power of the cars. The drivers of the cars will not resist his authority because they know that if they did, they would have to face the power (authority) which the policeman represents. The power of the local government is channeled through the authority of the policeman. The policeman does not stand on the corner in his own name but in the name of the law.

Jesus gave us authority over all the power of the enemy. When we use His name, all hell comes to a halt, not because we are so innately powerful, but because of the authority of heaven in the name of Jesus. Satan doesn't want to face that power again, because he faced the power over 2000 years ago and lost!! God channels all the power of heaven through the authority of the believer who knows the rights and privileges that belong to him and are found in the name of Jesus.

The name of Jesus is higher than any other name that can be mentioned in this age (the church age) and also that which is to come (the millennium). The name of Jesus outranks the name of any sickness, disease, crisis, fear, depression and shame.