Ephesians 1:19-20
and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The original Greek language uses a powerful, almost redundant accumulation of words to describe God's might—"working of the strength of His might"—to emphasize that the power God wields is not just immense, but actively and intensely applied, particularly towards believers. This isn't just passive potential; it's God's inherent strength in dynamic, efficient action, a force capable of transforming us from spiritual death to life.
Paul begins by giving thanks for the Ephesians' faith and love, then shifts to prayer, asking God to give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation. He desires for them to truly grasp the immense hope they have in God, the glorious riches He has destined for believers, and the incredible power He actively works within them. This focus on God's immeasurable power prepares them to understand the resurrection and exaltation of Christ, which Paul will elaborate on next as the ultimate demonstration of that power.
Paul uses a string of powerful words to describe God's might. Is he just trying to impress us, or is there something profound about this intense language?
Paul's language here isn't hyperbole meant to impress; it's a testament to the struggle of human words to capture the infinite reality of God's power. He uses a series of terms that pile on meaning:
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Paul stacks these terms – 'immeasurable greatness of His power, according to the working of the might of His strength' – to convey an overwhelming, active, and deeply rooted force. He's searching for the strongest possible language to express a power that is truly beyond our full comprehension, especially as it works within us.
The same power that conquered death is active in believers today. How is that possible, and what does it look like?
Paul connects the 'immeasurable greatness of His power' directly to the believer's experience and points to a supreme example: the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Power for Conversion and Transformation
The power Paul describes is the same omnipotence that raised Jesus from the dead. This isn't just about a future resurrection; it's about the power God exerted to bring believers from spiritual death to spiritual life at conversion. It's the force that awakens a dead soul to recognize and trust in Christ.
Sustaining and Future Power
This divine power isn't a one-time event. It's continuously at work in believers, sustaining them in their walk with God. Furthermore, it's the same power that guarantees their future resurrection and glorification. The power demonstrated in raising Christ from the grave is the foundation for everything God does for us, from our new birth to our eternal hope.
Faith as the Receptive Channel
This incredible power is specifically directed 'toward us who believe.' Faith isn't the source of the power, but it is the channel through which believers receive and experience God's mighty work. When we believe, we position ourselves to be recipients of this life-changing, resurrection-level power.
Understand the original words
energeia · Greek Noun
The effective, active power or energy of God. It refers to the dynamic manifestation of His sovereignty and ability to bring about His will.
dexios · Greek Noun/Adjective
The place of highest authority and honor. Seating at the right hand signifies participating in royal power and executing divine authority over all creation.
epouranios · Greek Adjective
The spiritual realm or domain where God dwells and from which He exercises His sovereign rule over the cosmos. It represents the ultimate reality beyond the earthly sphere.
This passage directly parallels Ephesians 1:19 by stating that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in believers and will give life to their mortal bodies, highlighting the immense power at work in them.
1 Corinthians 6:14This verse connects God's power to believers by mentioning that God raised the Lord and will also raise us by His power, reinforcing the theme of resurrection power active in those who believe.
2 Corinthians 4:7This verse uses the imagery of 'treasure in jars of clay' to explain that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us, emphasizing that the immense power mentioned in Ephesians is a divine attribute enabling believers.
Ephesians 3:20This verse directly supports Ephesians 1:19 by stating that God is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, illustrating the immeasurable scope of His power.
Colossians 1:11This passage speaks of being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for the purpose of joy and patience, echoing the theme of God's powerful enablement for believers as seen in Ephesians 1:19.
cambridgeEphesians 1:19: "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,"
19 . And what is the exceeding greatness , &c.] The Gr. word rendered “exceeding” is, with its cognates, found, in the N. T., in St Paul’s writings only; a characteristic of the ardour of his style. The passages are Romans 7:13 ; 1 Corinthians 12:31 ; 2 Corinthians 1:8 ; 2 Corinthians 3:10 ; 2 Corinthians 4:7 ; 2 Corinthians 4:17 ; 2 Corinthians 9:14 ; 2 Corin…
vincentEphesians 1:19: "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,"
Exceeding (ὑπερβάλλον)Compounds with ὑπέρ over, beyond, are characteristic of Paul's intensity of style, and mark the struggle of language with the immensity of the divine mysteries, and the opulence of the divine grace. See Ephesians 1:21; Ephesians 3:20; 2 Corinthians 4:17, etc.According to the working of His mighty power (κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν τοῦ κρα…
The original Greek language uses a powerful, almost redundant accumulation of words to describe God's might—"working of the strength of His might"—to emphasize that the power God wields is not just immense, but actively and intensely applied, particularly towards believers. This isn't just passive potential; it's God's inherent strength in dynamic, efficient action, a force capable of transforming us from spiritual death to life.
Paul begins by giving thanks for the Ephesians' faith and love, then shifts to prayer, asking God to give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation. He desires for them to truly grasp the immense hope they have in God, the glorious riches He has destined for believers, and the incredible power He actively works within them. This focus on God's immeasurable power prepares them to understand the resurrection and exaltation of Christ, which Paul will elaborate on next as the ultimate demonstration of that power.
Paul begins by giving thanks for the Ephesians' faith and love, then shifts to prayer, asking God to give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation. He desires for them to truly grasp the immense hope they have in God, the glorious riches He has destined for believers, and the incredible power He actively works within them. This focus on God's immeasurable power prepares them to understand the resurrection and exaltation of Christ, which Paul will elaborate on next as the ultimate demonstration of that power.
"and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places," — The original Greek language uses a powerful, almost redundant accumulation of words to describe God's might—"working of the strength of His might"—to emphasize that the power God wields is not just i…
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