The Meaning of Ephesians 1:19 Explained

Ephesians 1:19

KJV: And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

YLT: and what the exceeding greatness of His power to us who are believing, according to the working of the power of His might,

Darby: and what the surpassing greatness of his power towards us who believe, according to the working of the might of his strength,

ASV: and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  what  [is] the exceeding  greatness  of his  power  to  us-ward  who  believe,  according to  the working  of his  mighty  power, 

What does Ephesians 1:19 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Third, Paul wanted the Ephesians to know the great power of God that impacts the Christian.
"If God"s "call" looks back to the beginning, and God"s "inheritance" looks on to the end, then surely God"s "power" spans the interim period in between." [1]
Power (Gr. dynamis) refers to a spiritually dynamic living force. "Working," "strength," and "might" or "mighty" further describe this power. These three words describe it as energetic, inherent in God, and able to overcome resistance respectively. This is the power of God that is available to believers.
"By making us His inheritance, God has shown His love. By promising us a wonderful future, He has encouraged our hope. Paul offered something to challenge our faith: "the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe" ( Ephesians 1:19)." [2]

Context Summary

Ephesians 1:15-23 - What The Heart May Receive
It is well to go over the successive links of this golden chain when we are in our secret chamber, appropriating them one by one and asking whether we have received a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Christ, and whether the eyes of our heart have been enlightened to know the hope, the riches, the glory, and the greatness of His power. In so far as we yield ourselves to the strength of God's might, He will raise us from the grave of selfishness and cause us to sit with Christ in the place of spiritual life and power.
Notice the emphasis with which the Apostle affirms the supremacy of Christ's nature, Ephesians 1:21-22. This is a psalm of ascension. We can almost follow His tracks, as all the evil powers which rule the darkness of this world drop far beneath Him. The ascending Lord is high over all, and if we claim our right as members of His glorified body, we also shall stand above all our spiritual adversaries; and it is easier to descend on an enemy from above him than to seek to assail him from beneath. Notice that Christ needs the Church as much as the head needs the body, because it is through the Church that He fulfills Himself. Ask Him to fill all of you with all of Him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Ephesians 1

1  After Paul's salutation,
3  and thanksgiving for the Ephesians,
4  he treats of our election,
6  and adoption by grace;
11  which is the true and proper fountain of man's salvation
13  And because the height of this mystery cannot be easily attained unto,
16  he prays that they may come to the full knowledge and possession thereof in Christ

Greek Commentary for Ephesians 1:19

The exceeding greatness of his power [το υπερβαλλον μεγετος της δυναμεως αυτου]
Μεγετος — Megethos is an old word (from μεγας — megas), but here only in N.T. υπερβαλλον — Huperballon present active participle of υπερβαλλω — huperballō reappears in Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 3:19 and seen already in 2 Corinthians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:14. To enlightened eyes the greatness of God‘s power is even more “surpassing.” [source]
Exceeding [ὑπερβάλλον]
Compounds with ὑπέρ overbeyond, 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. [source]
According to the working of His mighty power [κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν τοῦ κράτους τῆς ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ]
The A.V. frequently impairs the force of a passage by combining into a single conception two words which represent distinct ideas; translating two nouns by an adjective and a noun. Thus Philemon 3:21, vile body, glorious body, for body of humiliation, body of glory: Romans 8:21, glorious liberty, for liberty of the glory: 2 Corinthians 4:4, glorious gospel, for gospel of the glory: Colossians 1:11, glorious power, for power of the glory: 1 Peter 1:14, obedient children, for children of obedience: 2 Peter 2:14, cursed children, for children of cursing. So here, mighty power, for strength of might. The idea is thus diluted, and the peculiar force and distinction of the separate words is measurably lost. Rev., correctly, working of the strength of His might. For working, see on Colossians 1:29. For strength and might, see on 2 Peter 2:11; see on John 1:12. Strength ( κράτους ) is used only of God, and denotes relative and manifested power. Might ( ἰσχύος ) is indwelling strength. Working ( ἐνέργειαν ) is the active, efficient manifestation of these. Hence we have here God's indwelling power, which inheres in the divine nature (strength ); the relative quality or measure of this power (might ); and the efficient exertion of the divine quality (working ). The phrase, according to the working of the strength, etc., is to be connected with the exceeding greatness of His power. The magnitude of God's power toward believers is known in the operation of the strength of His might. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 1:19

John 1:12 Power [ἐξουσίαν]
Rev., the right. Six words are used for power in the:New Testament: βία , force, often oppressive, exhibiting itself in violence (Acts 5:26; Acts 27:41. Compare the kindred verb βιάζεται , Matthew 11:12; “the kingdom of heaven is taken by violence ): δύναμις , natural ability (see on 2 Peter 2:11): ἐνέργεια , energy, power in exercise; only of superhuman power, good or evil. Used by Paul only, and chiefly in the Epistles of the Imprisonment (Ephesians 1:19; Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 2:12. Compare the kindred verb ἐνεργέω , to put forth power, and see on Mark 6:14; see on James 5:16): ἰσχύς , strength (see on 2 Peter 2:11. Compare the kindred verb ἰσχύω , to be strong, and see on Luke 14:30; see on Luke 16:3): κράτος , might, only of God, relative and manifested power, dominion (Ephesians 1:19; Ephesians 6:10; 1 Timothy 6:16; 1 Peter 4:11. Compare the kindred verb κρατέω , to have power, to be master of, and see on Mark 7:3; see on Acts 3:11): ἐξουσία , liberty of action ( ἔξεστι , it is lawful ), authority, delegated or arbitrary (John 5:27; John 10:18; John 17:2; John 19:10, John 19:11. See on Mark 2:10; see on Luke 20:20). Here, therefore, ἐξουσία is not merely possibility or ability, but legitimate right derived from a competent source - the Word. [source]
1 Corinthians 12:6 Operations [ἐνεργήματα]
Rev., workings. Outward manifestations and results of spiritual gifts. The kindred word ἐνέργεια energyis used only by Paul: and only of superhuman good or evil. Compare Ephesians 1:19; Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 2:12. See on Mark 6:14. [source]
1 Corinthians 12:31 And a still more excellent way [και ετι κατ υπερβολην οδον]
In order to gain the greater gifts. “I show you a way par excellence,” beyond all comparison (superlative idea in this adjunct, not comparative), like κατ υπερβολην εις υπερβολην — kath' huperbolēn eis huperbolēn (2 Corinthians 4:17). υπερβολη — Huperbolē is old word from υπερβαλλω — huperballō to throw beyond, to surpass, to excel (2 Corinthians 3:10; Ephesians 1:19). “I show you a supremely excellent way.” Chapter 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 is this way, the way of love already laid down in 1 Corinthians 8:1 concerning the question of meats offered to idols (cf. 1 John 4:7). Poor division of chapters here. This verse belongs with chapter 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. [source]
Ephesians 6:10 Be strong [ἐνδυναμουοῦσθε]
Lit., be strengthened. Compare Romans 4:20, and Philemon 4:13. Power of His might. See on Ephesians 1:19. [source]
Ephesians 4:22 According to the deceitful lusts [κατὰ τὰς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ἀπάτης]
Rev., correctly, lusts of deceit. On the vicious rendering of similar phrases in A.V., see on Ephesians 1:19. Deceit is personified. [source]
Ephesians 1:21 Far above [ὑπεράνω]
Lit., over above. See on Ephesians 1:19. Connect with made Him to sit. [source]
Ephesians 1:20 Which [ἣν]
Refer to working (Ephesians 1:19). [source]
Ephesians 1:20 He wrought [ἐνήργησεν]
The best texts read ἐνήργηκεν , perfect tense, He hath wrought. The verb is kindred with working (Ephesians 1:19). [source]
Ephesians 2:7 That he might shew [ινα ενδειχηται]
Final clause with ινα — hina and first aorist middle subjunctive of ενδεικνυμι — endeiknumi See note on Ephesians 1:8 for “riches of grace” and note on Ephesians 1:19 for “exceeding” (υπερβαλλον — huperballon). [source]
Ephesians 3:7  []
For this verse see note on Colossians 1:25 ; Ephesians 1:19 .; Ephesians 3:2 . [source]
Philippians 3:21 The working whereby He is able [τὴν ἐνέργειαν τοῦ δύνασθαι]
Lit., the energy of His being able. Δύνασθαι expresses ability, faculty, natural ability, not necessarily manifest. Ἑνέργεια is power in exercise, used only of superhuman power. See on John 1:12; see on 2 Peter 2:11. Hence, as Calvin remarks, “Paul notes not only the power of God as it resides in Him, but the power as it puts itself into act.” See Ephesians 1:19, where four of the six words for power are used. [source]
Philippians 3:21 Our vile body [τὸ σῶμα τῆς ταπεινώσεως ἡμῶν]
Wrong. Render, as Rev., the body of our humiliation. See, for the vicious use of hendiadys in A.V., on Ephesians 1:19. Lightfoot observes that the A.V. seems to countenance the stoic contempt of the body. Compare Colossians 1:22. The biographer of Archbishop Whately relates that, during his last illness, one of his chaplains, watching, during the night at his bedside, in making some remark expressive of sympathy for his sufferings, quoted these words: “Who shall change our vile body.” The Archbishop interrupted him with the request “Read the words.” The chaplain read them from the English Bible; but he reiterated, “Read his own words.” The chaplain gave the literal translation, “this body of our humiliation.” “That's right, interrupted the Archbishop, “not vile - nothing that He made is vile.” [source]
Colossians 2:12 Through the faith of the operation of God []
Not the faith which God works, but your faith in God's working: faith in God's energy as displayed in Christ's resurrection. Hence the emphasis which is laid on faith in the resurrection. See 1 Corinthians 15:3, 1 Corinthians 15:4(note); Romans 10:9; Ephesians 1:19. Colossians 2:11, Colossians 2:12should be compared with Romans 6:2-6. [source]
Colossians 1:29 Working [ενεργειαν]
Our word “energy.” Late word from ενεργης — energēs Play on the word here with the present passive participle of εν δυναμει — energeōenergoumenēn (energy energized) as in Ephesians 1:19. Paul was conscious of God‘s “energy” at work in him “mightily” (en dunamei), “in power” like dynamite. [source]
Colossians 1:19 It pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell [ἐν αὐτῷ εὐδόκησεν πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα κατοικῆσαι]
Εὐδοκέω tothink it good, to be well pleased is used in the New Testament, both of divine and of human good-pleasure; but, in the former case, always of God the Father. So Matthew 3:17; Luke 12:32; 1 Corinthians 1:21. The subject of was well pleased, God, is omitted as in James 1:12, and must be supplied; so that, literally, the passage would read, God was well pleased that in Him, etc. Rev., it was the good pleasure of the Father. Fullness, Rev, correctly, the fullness. See on Romans 11:12; see on John 1:16. The word must be taken in its passive sense - that with which a thing is filled, not that which fills. The fullness denotes the sum-total of the divine powers and attributes. In Christ dwelt all the fullness of God as deity. The relation of essential deity to creation and redemption alike, is exhibited by John in the very beginning of his gospel, with which this passage should be compared. In John the order is: 1. The essential nature of Christ; 2. Creation; 3. Redemption. Here it is: 1. Redemption (Colossians 1:13); 2. Essential being of the Son (Colossians 1:15); 3. The Son as Creator (Colossians 1:16); 4. The Church, with Christ as its head (Colossians 1:18). Compare 2 Corinthians 5:19; Ephesians 1:19, Ephesians 1:20, Ephesians 1:23. Paul does not add of the Godhead to the fullness, as in Colossians 2:9since the word occurs in direct connection with those which describe Christ's essential nature, and it would seem not to have occurred to the apostle that it could be understood in any other sense than as an expression of the plenitude of the divine attributes and powers. Thus the phrase in Him should all the fullness dwell gathers into a grand climax the previous statements - image of God, first-born of all creation, Creator, the eternally preexistent, the Head of the Church, the victor over death, first in all things. On this summit we pause, looking, like John, from Christ in His fullness of deity to the exhibition of that divine fullness in redemption consummated in heaven (Colossians 1:20-22). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
There must also be taken into the account the selection of this word fullness with reference to the false teaching in the Colossian church, the errors which afterward were developed more distinctly in the Gnostic schools. Pleroma fullness was used by the Gnostic teachers in a technical sense, to express the sum-total of the divine powers and attributes. “From the pleroma they supposed that all those agencies issued through which God has at any time exerted His power in creation, or manifested His will through revelation. These mediatorial beings would retain more or less of its influence, according as they claimed direct parentage from it, or traced their descent through successive evolutions. But in all cases this pleroma was distributed, diluted, transformed, and darkened by foreign admixture. They were only partial and blurred images, often deceptive caricatures, of their original, broken lights of the great Central Light” (Lightfoot). Christ may have been ranked with these inferior images of the divine by the Colossian teachers. Hence the significance of the assertion that the totality of the divine dwells in Him. [source]

Colossians 1:29 I labour also [και κοπιω]
Late verb κοπιαω — kopiaō from κοπος — kopos (toil), to grow weary from toil (Matthew 11:28), to toil on (Philemon 2:16), sometimes for athletic training. In papyri. Striving (αγωνιζομενος — agōnizomenos). Present middle participle of common verb αγωνιζομαι — agōnizomai (from αγων — agōn contest, as in Colossians 2:1), to contend in athletic games, to agonize, a favourite metaphor with Paul who is now a prisoner. Working Our word “energy.” Late word from ενεργης — energēs Play on the word here with the present passive participle of εν δυναμει — energeōenergoumenēn (energy energized) as in Ephesians 1:19. Paul was conscious of God‘s “energy” at work in him “mightily” (en dunamei), “in power” like dynamite. [source]
Philemon 1:6 May become effectual [ἐνεργὴς]
See on James 5:16. This adjective, and the kindred ἐνεργέω towork, be effectual, ἐνέργημα workingoperation, and ἐνέργεια energypower in exercise, are used in the New Testament only of superhuman power, good or evil. Compare Ephesians 1:19; Matthew 14:2; Philemon 2:13; 1 Corinthians 12:10; Hebrews 4:12. [source]
1 John 2:9 His brother [τὸν ἀδελφόν]
His fellow-Christian. The singular, brother, is characteristic of this Epistle. See 1 John 2:10, 1 John 2:11; 1 John 3:10, 1 John 3:15, 1 John 3:17; 1 John 4:20, 1 John 4:21; 1 John 5:16. Christians are called in the New Testament, Christians (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16), mainly by those outside of the Christian circle. Disciples, applied to all followers of Christ (John 2:11; John 6:61) and strictly to the twelve (John 13:5sqq.). In Acts 19:1, to those who had received only John's baptism. Not found in John's Epistles nor in Revelation. Brethren. The first title given to the body of believers after the Ascension (Acts 1:15, where the true reading is ἀδελφῶν brethrenfor μαθητῶν disciples). See Acts 9:30; Acts 10:23; Acts 11:29; 1 Thessalonians 4:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 John 3:14; 3 John 1:5, 3 John 1:10; John 21:23. Peter has ἡ ἀδελφότης thebrotherhood (1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 5:9). The believers. Under three forms: The believers ( οἱ πιστοί ; Acts 10:45; 1 Timothy 4:12); they that believe ( οἱ πιστεύοντες ; 1 Peter 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:7; Ephesians 1:19); they that believed ( οἱ πιστεύσαντες ; Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32; Hebrews 4:3). The saints ( οἱ ἅγιοι ); characteristic of Paul and Revelation. Four times in the Acts (Acts 9:13, Acts 9:32, Acts 9:41; Acts 26:10), and once in Jude (Judges 1:3). Also Hebrews 6:10; Hebrews 13:24. In Paul, 1 Corinthians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Ephesians 1:1, Ephesians 1:15, etc. In Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3, Revelation 8:4; Revelation 11:18, etc.|Until now ( ἕως ἄρτι )|Though the light has been increasing, and though he may claim that he has been in the light from the first. The phrase occurs in John 2:10; John 5:17; John 16:24; and is used by Paul, 1 Corinthians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Corinthians 15:6.| [source]

What do the individual words in Ephesians 1:19 mean?

and what [is] the surpassing greatness of the power of Him toward us those believing according to the working of the might strength
καὶ τί τὸ ὑπερβάλλον μέγεθος τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ εἰς ἡμᾶς τοὺς πιστεύοντας κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν τοῦ κράτους ἰσχύος

τὸ  [is]  the 
Parse: Article, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὑπερβάλλον  surpassing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: ὑπερβάλλω  
Sense: to surpass in throwing, to throw over or beyond any thing.
μέγεθος  greatness 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: μέγεθος  
Sense: greatness.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
δυνάμεως  power 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: δύναμις  
Sense: strength power, ability.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
εἰς  toward 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
ἡμᾶς  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
τοὺς  those 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πιστεύοντας  believing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: πιστεύω  
Sense: to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in.
κατὰ  according  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
ἐνέργειαν  working 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐνέργεια  
Sense: working, efficiency.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἰσχύος  strength 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἰσχύς  
Sense: ability, force, strength, might.