The Power of God

Overview

Each week we’re taking a look at another one of the attributes of God according to the Bible. We’re trying to get to know, as much as possible, who God really is, because our thesis is all of our problems ultimately are theological ones. To some degree, our problems always stem from either not knowing or seeing who God is or forgetting who he is at the moment.

If I’m actually crushed with too much guilt, I’m not seeing where else I’ve lost my grip on his mercy. On the other hand, if I’m falling into temptation, if I’m giving in, if I’m doing things I shouldn’t be doing, it’s because I’ve lost my grip on or I’ve forgotten his holiness and maybe his omnipresence. So every problem we have stems, to some degree, from our loss of orientation to who God is.

Today we’re looking at God’s power. In verse 18, Paul says, “I’m praying that you may know (not just know about, but know) a series of things.” But the climactic petition is in verse 19, when he says, “… his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Most commentators point out Paul was being grammatically excessive when he says, “… incomparably great power …” The word incomparable is the Greek word hyperballon. The word great is the Greek word megethos. The word power is the Greek word dunamis (dynamite). In other words, what Paul is saying is, “I want you to know, not just know about, but to experience his ‘hyper-mega-dynamite.’” The commentators all say he’s overdoing it. He’s trying to show the infinity of God’s power, that it bursts the banks of any kind of descriptor. What is this power? I’ve already shown you. Verses 18 and 19 are the heart of this.