Word Study of "Dunamis" Power

Dunamis – Power Word Study “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”

Basics: It means ability, power or miracle. It can range from a regular ability to a supernatural power. It can even mean celestial entities like stars and galaxies. It can also mean “the meaning of what someone is saying”.

Points:

1) Having miraculous power is not an indication you are saved.

2) Is meant to inspire repentance. When a people aren’t ready to repent, the Kingdom does not prefer to perform miracles. Some, not all, church members have it as a gift to show to others.

3) You can feel it flowing from you.

4) Is part of a name for God – “Mighty One”.

5) Was given to the disciples by Jesus. You can receive it from heaven.

6) It is clearly seen and understood and displayed, not cryptic or partial or hidden.

7) It gives hope to some.

8) It describes what salvation is to us. It is power to us.

9) Jesus is the dunamis of God.

10) Is better in quality and purpose than human words and stories.

11) It is what our faith rests on.

12) Can be present or absent.

13) God’s power raised Jesus from the dead.

14) Is one of the marks of an apostle.

15) Enables us.

16) Opposes fear.

17) Is absent from the religious. Is better than Levitical blood as a basis for priesthood.

18) Is experiential.

19) Gives us everything we need.

20) If we acknowledge God’s power, it is a form of praise.

Pairings that go with Dunamis:

1) Wisdom + Power = True Understanding of God. Mark 12:24

2) God + Power = Power is often paired with Spirit or God to indicate where it came from. Perhaps this is very meaningful to distinguish it from other dunamis. There is a clear distinction made that there is human dunamis (weak) and heavenly dunamis (supernatural). There was even a cheap magician named the “great dunamis”, and he himself acknowledged this difference. God’s power is also greater than satan’s power. Jesus is seen as the power of God personified.

3) Authority/Dominion + Power = If we think of power as ability, then it is nothing without a form of authority. Jesus demonstrated his ability through his acts of authority.

4) Glory + Power = Often paired when speaking of Jesus’ return.

5) Weakness/suffering + Power = Out of weakness comes strength. The greatest illustration is the death and resurrection of Jesus. (c.f. reference to jars of clay as well).

6) God’s Word + Power = Is how all creation is sustained.

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Verses used in this Study

Matthew 6:13, Matthew 7:22, Matthew 11:20, Matthew 11:21, Matthew 11:23, Matthew 13:54, Matthew 13:58, Matthew 14:2, Matthew 22:29, Matthew 24:29, Matthew 24:30, Matthew 25:15, Matthew 26:64, Mark 5:30, Mark 6:2, Mark 6:5, Mark 6:14, Mark 9:1, Mark 9:39, Mark 12:24, Mark 13:25, Mark 13:26, Mark 14:62, Luke 1:17, Luke 1:35, Luke 4:14, Luke 4:36, Luke 5:17, Luke 6:19, Luke 8:46, Luke 9:1, Luke 10:13, Luke 10:19, Luke 19:37, Luke 21:26, Luke 21:27, Luke 22:69, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:22, Acts 3:12, Acts 4:7, Acts 4:33, Acts 6:8, Acts 8:10, Acts 8:13, Acts 10:38, Acts 19:11, Romans 1:4, Romans 1:16, Romans 1:20, Romans 8:38, Romans 9:17, Romans 15:13, Romans 15:19, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 2:5, 1 Corinthians 4:19, 1 Corinthians 4:20, 1 Corinthians 5:4, 1 Corinthians 6:14, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 1 Corinthians 12:29, 1 Corinthians 14:11, 1 Corinthians 15:24, 1 Corinthians 15:43, 1 Corinthians 15:56, 2 Corinthians 1:8, 2 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 6:7, 2 Corinthians 8:3, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Corinthians 12:12, 2 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 3:5, Ephesians 1:19, Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 3:7, Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 3:20, Philippians 3:10, Colossians 1:11, Colossians 1:29, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Timothy 1:7, 2 Timothy 1:8, 2 Timothy 3:5, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 2:4, Hebrews 6:5, Hebrews 7:16, Hebrews 11:11, Hebrews 11:34, 1 Peter 1:5, 1 Peter 3:22, 2 Peter 1:3, 2 Peter 1:16, 2 Peter 2:11, Revelation 1:16, Revelation 3:8, Revelation 4:11, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 7:12, Revelation 11:17, Revelation 12:10, Revelation 13:2, Revelation 15:8, Revelation 17:13, Revelation 18:3, Revelation 19:1