User blog:Jrandms/Trilogy of Energy

Eph 6:10 begins this section with an exhortation in three areas. Unfortunately, most people (and most commentaries) are confused as to what they mean.

Strength: physical
(vs. 10a) “Finally, my brethren, be __________[i] in the Lord, …” The Greek word endunamoo is related to dynamoo (from which we get the English word “dynamite.”) Strength is 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 rocks (Psalm 31:2), stones and brass (Job 6:12).

Fortunately, Christians have an ‘extra gear’ physically which lost people don’t have (Heb 11: 34), “Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” Paul confirmed this in Phil 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ whichstrengtheneth me.” This is exactly what happened to Paul (2Cor 12:9–10), “And he [Lord, vs. 8] said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my _________[ii] ''is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities [Gal 4:13-15], that the __________[iii] [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 ___________.”[iv] But you’re not expected to be strong until you become a “young man''” (1Jn 2:14, Prov 20:29).

Power: mental
(vs. 10b) “and in the __________[v] …” The Greek word kratos is more general which is also translated “power” six times, “dominion” four times, “strength” once, and “mighty + 2596” once. Power ismental energy (mind/soul), what is commonly called ‘will-power’ today (1Cor 7:37), “Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over 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:” But 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).

Might: spiritual
(vs. 10c) “of his _________.”[vi] The Greek word ischus is also a general term which is translated “strength” 4 times, “power” twice, “might” twice, “ability” once, “mightily + 1722” once, and “mighty.” Might is spiritual energy (spirit) which is most characteristic of angels (gods, Psalm 82:1) although there were also mighty men (mentioned 71 times), some of which were mighty because they were sired by angels, e.g. “sons of God” (Gen 6:4).

Col 1:11 links these three energies in a slightly different way, “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, …” God’s power (to choose) makes you mighty (spiritually) which is the source of your physical strength. Eph 3:16 seems to show the same principle but with an added detail, “to be strengthened with might by his _______[vii] in the inner man;” By substituting Spirit for power Paul clarifies the source of power—God’s holy Spirit. [i] strong

[ii] strength

[iii] power

[iv] strong

[v] power

[vi] might

[vii] Spirit