“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might”

(Ephesians 6:10 NASB).

So just how do we acquire this strength? The phrase “be strong,” endunamoo, comes from the root word dunamis, which refers to inherent strength residing in a thing by virtue of its nature. The best spiritual example of this inherent power is the gospel itself. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16 NASB). Dunamis is the inherent, omnipotent power of God that brings about the salvation of any lost sinner who receives this truth. Dunamis therefore describes power that overcomes resistance or effects a change. In the New Testament it is used to speak of miracles and supernatural acts that carry in them the inherent power of God.

Paul here is like a commanding general overseeing his troops in the heat of battle, issuing his first command to be strong. This is a present imperative, a command to be carried out by the Christian soldier continually. To disobey a general’s command in a crucial battle can be disastrous, and it is no less serious in the believer’s continual warfare against an unseen foe.

Although believers are clearly to be continually strong, there is some difference of opinion as to how this occurs. This distinction hinges on how one interprets the voice of the verb, either passive or middle. In a sense it is not that significant which voice one favors, because all would agree that the source of the strength is the same: the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Three thoughts to hold onto: the Christian life is a war; the power to win is available; and it is mighty, but we must appropriate that power. “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us” (Ephesians 3:20 NASB). You can choose to be impotent and fruitless, even though residing in you is the power to do beyond what you can even ask or think. We can be lethargic, indifferent, cold drifters in and out of church and still be in heaven for all eternity by the immeasurable grace of God. But if we choose to live that way, we will forfeit the blessing God has for those in this life, and we will fail to glorify God to the extent that we should. We can turn our back on all the available power, blunt the energy of the Spirit of God, and say no to the incomprehensible work that God wants to do through us, if we so choose.

Three Words for Power

Ephesians 6:10 contains three distinct Greek words for power, and each reveals something different about what God has made available to us.

First: Be Strong, endunamoo, dunamis. This is inherent strength residing in a thing by virtue of its nature. It is the power that is already there, built into the nature of God Himself, made available to us through the indwelling Spirit. It does not need to be created or summoned. It simply is, waiting to be received.

Second: Strength, kratos. Kratos refers to manifested power, power that is put forth in action. Kratos represents the exercise of might. When someone who is muscular uses their strength to bend an iron bar, they are exercising kratos. It also means that a reserve of strength is actually in operation. It is the power to overcome resistance or whatever stands in the way. Father God has vast reservoirs of might that can be realized as power in our Christian life. But His might does not work for us while we sit passively. Kratos will work for us if we rely on it and step out to do the work. I can rely on it and do no work. I can do work without relying on it. Both of these fall short. I must rely on His might and then do His work.

Third: Might, ischus. Ischus refers to power as an endowment, power as inherent ability. It stresses the ability, not necessarily the accomplishment. A muscular man’s big muscles display his might even if he never lifts a thing. It is the reserve of strength. Ischus is that strength which one has in possession and ability. Think of ischus as God’s untapped power, capable of functioning usefully, residing within every believer, waiting to be put to use. You are able. But we must appropriate that power.

The Obstacle: Pride

As we close, let me ask this question: Are you resisting or hindering the Spirit? Not necessarily through overt, willful sin, though that is certainly a hindrance. But even in subtle ways, such as self-confidence and self-assurance, which are simply manifestations of pride.

“Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; assuredly, they will not be unpunished” (Proverbs 16:5 NASB). “When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2 NASB). “The proud wicked, in the haughtiness of their countenance, does not seek Him. All their thoughts are, ‘There is no God’” (Psalms 10:4 NASB).

Pride is the dam that stops the river of God’s power. It is to this that God is opposed, and which cuts off the flow of grace. “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6 NASB). “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5 NASB).

We cannot empower ourselves for this spiritual struggle. We must be willing to surrender to the Spirit and allow ourselves to be strengthened. Be continuously empowered in union with the Spirit of Christ. He is the source of spiritual power. Spiritual battles are not natural and require supernatural spiritual strength. This dynamic process is synonymous with being continually filled with, and controlled by, the Spirit.

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as an unwise person but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ” (Ephesians 5:15-21 NASB).

This is the life of the strong Christian soldier. Not strong in himself, not relying on his own discipline or resolve, but strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. The dunamis that raised Christ from the dead, the kratos that overcomes every resistance, the ischus that is the untapped reserve of God’s own power: all of it is available to every believer who will humble themselves, surrender their pride, and step out in dependence on the Spirit.

The power is already in you. The question is not whether God is able. He is able to do far more than you can ask or think. The question is whether you are willing to lay down your self-sufficiency and take up His. Be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Not yours. His.