BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

He wasn’t giving them a suggestion, but rather a divine commandment. The statement be strong is imperative in Greek and means: “This is what I want you to do.” It’s a compound of two Greek words. The first is dunamis, which is normally translated power but is so much more than that. Ancient Greeks used the word dunamis to describe a force of nature like a hurricane, tornado or earthquake; or the full force of an advancing army. When compounded with the second word in, it means this power has been placed into a container—us! We are the containers that God has fashioned to hold this divine power. Paul knew this was also the word used by classical Greek writers to describe ordinary individuals who received a supernatural touch of the gods and were transformed from mere humans to supernatural beings. He was declaring that when this divine power is placed inside us, it transforms us. We’re no longer weaklings, but superheroes of faith! You’ve Got the Power How do we get this dunamis power? The answer is in the next three words of Ephesians 6:10: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord” (emphasis mine). Dunamis power is locked up in the person of Jesus Christ. We can’t get it anywhere else. When we’re “in Him” as Ephesians 1 says, we’re surrounded by His divine power. We’re rubbing elbows with it. It’s as close as our next breath. God has made this so easy! He put the power in Jesus, then He put us in Jesus. We are immersed in this dunamis power. We simply have to take it by faith. Then Paul went a step further. He said, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Notice that Paul differentiated between power and might. The word power in the Greek refers to demonstrated, tangible power. It’s something we can feel; the kind of power that invaded the tomb and shook the earth when Jesus rose from the dead; the kind of power behind signs and wonders, miracles and the ability to cast out demons. The word might in this verse is the Greek word ischus. It could be used to describe a muscle-bound bodybuilder. The picture is one of God flexing His muscles as His power flows through us, visibly and tangibly. Your Divine Weaponry In the very next verse, Paul linked God’s divine power to divine weaponry. He wrote, “Put on the whole armour of God...” (Ephesians 6:11). Some people like to wake up in the morning and pretend they’re putting on God’s armor as a way to connect their faith with this verse. When Paul said we should “put on” the armor, he actually used the same words that he’d used in verse 10 when he said, “be strong.” This divine force of nature, this spiritual hurricane, that transforms us into superhuman beings puts the armor of God on us. When we’re walking in God’s power, we’re also walking in the weaponry He provides! Or, put another way: When God’s power hits us, not only does it fill us, but it also puts a helmet on our head, a breastplate on us, gives us a shield and a sword and shoes and a lance. It outfits us with the “whole armor of God”! He’s given us everything we need for the fight. But if we want to be dressed in His armor, we must be walking in His power. BVOV : 19

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