March
March 1
Chapter 1, Verse 19, con’t, “and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might“
Paul already made it abundantly clear that everything in existence is under the purview of God’s ultimate power. This phrase is clearly for emphasis. All God’s intentions are carried out “in accordance with” his power, here referred to as his “great might.” “Working,” ἐνέργειαν, energeian, “power in action,” describes efficient, effective work. It is used in the New Testament only to describe supernatural power. Were dunamis relates to potential power, energeia relates to actual power. This is the working power of the Holy Spirit that brought Jesus out of the grave. It is the same power that will rule when Jesus returns. Paul spoke about the first advent of the Second Coming of Christ in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. In verse 16, he wrote, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” That cry of command is a direct issuance of his great might, “the might of the strength of him.” ἰσχύος, ischyos, “might,” is inherent ability, power, or force. His might is always present and available. κράτους, kratous, “strength,” refers to that might in action. It is his power to overcome whatever stands in the way. That is why Paul could say, “Therefore encourage one another with these word” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Nothing can or will prevent Jesus from doing everything God said he would do.
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