User blog:Jrandms/Strength, Power & Might

Eph 6:10 delineates three energy sources which most people (and commentaries) can’t define properly.

Strength: physical
(vs. 10a) “Finally, my brethren, be _____________[i] in the Lord”—physical energy (body): ass (Gen 49: 14), hands (vs. 24), arm (Luke 1:51), feet and ankles (Acts 3:7), conception (Heb 11:11), ox (Prov 14:4), horse (Job 39:19-21, Psalm 147:10), wind (Job 8:2), bulls (Psalm 22:12), etc. It’s pictured by the ‘unmovable, unbreakable’ strength of _________[ii] (Psalm 31:2), stones and brass (Job 6:12).

Fortunately, Christians have an ‘extra gear’ physically which lost people don’t have (2Cor 12:9–10), “And he [Lord, vs. 8] said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my ___________[iii] ''is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities [Gal 4:13-15], that the __________[iv] [see #2 below] of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I ___________.”[v] Heb 11:34b says the same thing, “out of weakness were made strong,” Thus, Paul confidently proclaimed (Phil 4:13), “I can do ______________[vi] through Christ whichstrengtheneth me''.”

Power: mental
(vs. 10b) “and in the __________”[vii] —mental energy (for the soul, e.g. mind), what is commonly called ‘will-power’ (1Cor 7:37), “Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath powerover his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.” (see also 2Cor 8:3) That’s why John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power [mental ability to choose] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” This makes no sense if you substitute strength (physical energy can’t save you) or might (spiritual energy; all angels are mighty but not all are saved, Jms 2:19). Thus, God’s power (to choose mentally) makes you mighty (spiritually) which is the source of your physical strength.

Might: spiritual
(vs. 10c) “of his _________.”[viii] —spiritual energy. This is mostly true of angels (gods, Psalm 82:1) although men can also be mighty (recorded 71 times), some of which were sired by angels (“sons of God,” Gen 6:4).

Colossians 1:11 also links these three energies (Lesson 51.3 Thursday), “Strengthened with all might, according tohis glorious __________.”[ix] God’s power (to choose) makes you mighty (spiritually) which is the source of your physical strength. Ephesians 3:16 seems to show the same principle but with an added detail, “to be strengthened with might by his ___________[x] in the inner man.” By substituting Spirit for powerPaul clarifies the source of power—God’s holy Spirit.

Even worse, most people don’t know they must ‘exercise’ to increase them (use it or lose it):

·      strength: (physical, Phil 4:13) “I can do all things through Christ which _____________[xi] me.” Just like physicalexercise builds muscles, service (using your body) builds spiritual strength.

·      power: (mental) Your service (physical strength, first bullet) and might (spiritual stamina, next bullet) are limited by your will-power (Col 1:11), “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious __________,[xii] unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”

·      might: Just like physical exercise builds stamina (like marathon runners), your spiritual stamina (patience and longsuffering, Col 1:11; work of faith, 2Th 1:11) is increased (with power, 2Th 1:11) by serving:

Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our _________.[xiii] 6 And the Lord said, If ye had _________[xiv] as a grain of mustard seed, ye might _______[xv] unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. 7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and _________[xvi] me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant because he _______[xvii] the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have _________[xviii] all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have _________[xix] that which was our duty to _____.[xx] [i] strong

[ii] rocks

[iii] strength

[iv] power

[v] strong

[vi] all things

[vii] power

[viii] might

[ix] power

[x] Spirit

[xi] strengtheneth

[xii] power

[xiii] faith

[xiv] faith

[xv] say

[xvi] serve

[xvii] did

[xviii] done

[xix] done

[xx] do