DAILY DEVOTION: EPHESIANS 1:19

By Stan Brown

Ephesians 1:19  and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 
The eyes of our hearts have been opened.  Paul wants us to know and understand three things that greatly impact how we live out our lives as believers.  The first fact that Paul wants us to understand is the hope of His calling which we discussed previously.  The second fact is that we as believers are His inheritance which we discussed yesterday.  The third fact is His incomparable power toward believers. 

Paul uses four different Greek words that might each be translated power in this verse.  We might translate the last phrase of this verse in accordance with the power of His power of His power.  All of this great power is made available to us who believe, that is those who have become His children as we have been saved through faith.  It is access to the manifold power of God that we possess as believers.  In this verse, Paul emphasizes that power.  In the immediately following verses, he will provide evidence of that power.

The first word for power (surpassing greatness of His power) is the word that we commonly associate with dynamite, yet this word does not really mean instantaneous, explosive power but rather the continuous ability to accomplish whatever is needed.  (Hoehner writes, “dynamite was not invented until at least a millennium” after Paul used this term.)  This is modified by the words surpassing greatness.  This power that is available to us enormously exceeds any other power in existence.  We who believe are backed by His infinite power.  This is that which is described in Romans 1:20, For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.   The surpassing greatness of His power is further explained by in accordance with the working of the strength of His might.  This word denotes the capacity of God’s power.

The word working might also be translated energizing.  For the scientist, the previous word for power (dunimis) might be considered potential energy while the word translated working refers to kinetic energy.  It is power in motion.  It is the active exercise of God’s power.  The word translated strength is often used to extol the dominion of God.  It connotes absolute rule.  It emphasizes the force of the available power.  The word translated might often refers to physical strength or power and is also used to extol the strength of God.  The words translated strength and might are very similar in meaning.  Paul will later use these two words together when he writes Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might (Eph. 6:10).  
God’s power is energized on our behalf as we live in an evil and satanic world.  It is the power that enables us to live in this world right now.  It does not yet destroy that evil world system.  That will come later.  For now, we must never forget that this power is available and active in our lives today.  Even when it seems as if God has forgotten, His power remains energized in our lives.