THREE ASPECTS OF GOD’S POWER
There are three aspects or elements or components that make up God’s supernatural power in us.
His Dunamis power (which we receive in our spirit when we are born again).
His Kratos might (which mainly operates in our soul).
His Ischus strength (which mainly operates in our bodies).
The following Scriptures refer to all three of these elements of God’s power in the same verse:
Eph 1:19
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power [dunamis] to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty [kratos] power [ischus],
KJV
Eph 6:10-11
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong [endunamoo] in the Lord, and in the power [dunamis] of his might [ischus].
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
KJV
Col 1:11
11 Strengthened [dunamoo] with all might [ischus], according to his glorious power [dunamis], unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
KJV
The different Greek words can be a little confusing unless we understand the simple meanings behind each one. In the English language, we often are quite sloppy with our use of words. For example, we say “I love my husband/wife.” Then we use the very same word to describe our fondness for desserts: “I love ice cream!” The Greek language is much more precise. It has specific words to describe each of the above emotions. This is what we are encountering here. Once you understand the meaning of each of these words for power, it makes total sense. And, prayerfully, it will help you have more understanding of the importance of God’s power in your life.
Resurrection Power – Dunamis (Strong’s #1411) (in our spirit and heart)
The Greek word most often used in the Bible for the supernatural power of God is the word dunamis (Strong’s #1411). Dunamis means divine ability, inherent power, the power belonging to the essential nature of something. It means to have the capacity to carry something out; the strength to implement the idea; to take a thought and make it an action. It’s power to make strong or forceful or mighty. In the English language, it led to the term “dynamite.”
Dunamis is God’s power and His ability residing in us; it’s His inherent power to carry something out. Hebrews 6:5 tells us it’s the power of the world to come.
God’s dunamis power gives us the supernatural ability to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil. It’s the only power that can break the power of sin, the power of the devil and the power of death. Suffice to say, dunamis is divine empowerment. In other words, dunamis almost always points to a new and higher force that has entered us and is now working through us. Again, this is God’s “treasure” in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:6, 7).
When we become born again, we receive God’s dunamis power in our spirit. At this time God’s Holy Spirit unites with our spirit. However, His dunamis power cannot be released until our own spirit and heart are cleansed (Ps. 51:10). In other words, God does not give supernatural power to the “old man,” only to the “new one.” Therefore, one of the reasons we lack power in the Christian body is because God’s Spirit in us has been quenched or blocked. Rather than cleanse ourselves from the “flesh,” we often chose to follow our own self-centered ways. If this is the case, not only will God’s love be blocked in our hearts, but His resurrection power will also be unable to operate. Thus, at this moment, we will not be partakers of His nature.
Might - Kratos (Strong’s #2904) (in our soul)
The second aspect or element of God’s power in the Greek is kratos – an absolutely fascinating Greek word.
Kratos means “mastery over self,” self-control or power to rein in (like the reins of a horse) – it literally means “to rein in.” God’s kratos power reigns in our “self-life” (our soulish life) and brings it into captivity so that “God’s life” (from our hearts) can come forth. Luke 21:19 says, “…in your patience rein in your souls.” Reins are often associated with our mind and our choice: “reins or cords of Love” which are held by the Lord or “reins or cords of sin” which are held by our own “flesh” and even sometimes the enemy.
There are three aspects or elements or components that make up God’s supernatural power in us.
His Dunamis power (which we receive in our spirit when we are born again).
His Kratos might (which mainly operates in our soul).
His Ischus strength (which mainly operates in our bodies).
The following Scriptures refer to all three of these elements of God’s power in the same verse:
Eph 1:19
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power [dunamis] to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty [kratos] power [ischus],
KJV
Eph 6:10-11
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong [endunamoo] in the Lord, and in the power [dunamis] of his might [ischus].
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
KJV
Col 1:11
11 Strengthened [dunamoo] with all might [ischus], according to his glorious power [dunamis], unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
KJV
The different Greek words can be a little confusing unless we understand the simple meanings behind each one. In the English language, we often are quite sloppy with our use of words. For example, we say “I love my husband/wife.” Then we use the very same word to describe our fondness for desserts: “I love ice cream!” The Greek language is much more precise. It has specific words to describe each of the above emotions. This is what we are encountering here. Once you understand the meaning of each of these words for power, it makes total sense. And, prayerfully, it will help you have more understanding of the importance of God’s power in your life.
Resurrection Power – Dunamis (Strong’s #1411) (in our spirit and heart)
The Greek word most often used in the Bible for the supernatural power of God is the word dunamis (Strong’s #1411). Dunamis means divine ability, inherent power, the power belonging to the essential nature of something. It means to have the capacity to carry something out; the strength to implement the idea; to take a thought and make it an action. It’s power to make strong or forceful or mighty. In the English language, it led to the term “dynamite.”
Dunamis is God’s power and His ability residing in us; it’s His inherent power to carry something out. Hebrews 6:5 tells us it’s the power of the world to come.
God’s dunamis power gives us the supernatural ability to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil. It’s the only power that can break the power of sin, the power of the devil and the power of death. Suffice to say, dunamis is divine empowerment. In other words, dunamis almost always points to a new and higher force that has entered us and is now working through us. Again, this is God’s “treasure” in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:6, 7).
When we become born again, we receive God’s dunamis power in our spirit. At this time God’s Holy Spirit unites with our spirit. However, His dunamis power cannot be released until our own spirit and heart are cleansed (Ps. 51:10). In other words, God does not give supernatural power to the “old man,” only to the “new one.” Therefore, one of the reasons we lack power in the Christian body is because God’s Spirit in us has been quenched or blocked. Rather than cleanse ourselves from the “flesh,” we often chose to follow our own self-centered ways. If this is the case, not only will God’s love be blocked in our hearts, but His resurrection power will also be unable to operate. Thus, at this moment, we will not be partakers of His nature.
Might - Kratos (Strong’s #2904) (in our soul)
The second aspect or element of God’s power in the Greek is kratos – an absolutely fascinating Greek word.
Kratos means “mastery over self,” self-control or power to rein in (like the reins of a horse) – it literally means “to rein in.” God’s kratos power reigns in our “self-life” (our soulish life) and brings it into captivity so that “God’s life” (from our hearts) can come forth. Luke 21:19 says, “…in your patience rein in your souls.” Reins are often associated with our mind and our choice: “reins or cords of Love” which are held by the Lord or “reins or cords of sin” which are held by our own “flesh” and even sometimes the enemy.
Kratos is power to “put off” our sin and self and then power to “put on” Christ. It’s God’s power to perform His will. It is often associated with the Greek word “authority” (exousia). God supernaturally gives us the authority not only to choose His will, but also the power to perform that will! What good is it to know God’s will if we don’t have the strength or power to carry it out?
Phil 2:13
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
KJV
It is actually saying that we choose by faith to do God’s will, and He then enables us to accomplish His will, regardless of how we feel. He gives us supernatural kratos to set aside “self” and to act out of His love and His wisdom.
Kratos is “Spirit-control,” the power to exercise our free choice, knowing that in His timing and way, God will change our emotions and thoughts to match the faith choice we have made. Humanly, this is completely impossible, but with God’s power it is. Naturally, we are unable to change our own negative thoughts and emotions, especially in a trial. However, this is the very time we must choose by faith to put in charge the Person who can change our natural feelings and thoughts, and that, of course, is God and His Spirit of power.
Kratos is God’s supernatural might to take what He has told us in His Word and implement it in our lives, no matter how we feel. We must make the choice, but then the “kratos might” of God will help us set aside the natural strength of our soul and accomplish with He desires in our lives.
For us to become “overcomers” we have to allow kratos to work in our lives. An overcomer is simply one who is free from self to serve God, one who has faith to appropriate the kratos might of the Lord in order to conquer sin, self and the devil (1 John 5:4). These are those that are willing to choose God’s will regardless of how they feel or what they think, and then trust His power to perform that will in their lives.
Kratos then is God’s power in action. This kind of power is applied by and implemented through a “faith choice” a choice we make by faith, not feelings, to do what God has said, regardless of how we feel, what we think or want. By being a cleansed vessel and praying “not my will, but Thine,” the kratos power of God can overcome whatever our flesh naturally wants and instead, enables us to do what God wants.
Strength Ischus (Strong’s #2479) (in our body)
This is the final of the three elements of God’s power, the ischus in the Greek. This is the visible power or the expressed strength and ability that God bestows upon us. Kratos and ischus often go together. God gives us the ability to choose His will (kratos) and then the ability and the strength to perform that will in our lives (ischus).
Mark 12:30
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength [ischus]: this is the first commandment.
KJV
God has provided the necessary power to do His bidding, let us “let go and let God” work through us.
Phil 2:13
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
KJV
It is actually saying that we choose by faith to do God’s will, and He then enables us to accomplish His will, regardless of how we feel. He gives us supernatural kratos to set aside “self” and to act out of His love and His wisdom.
Kratos is “Spirit-control,” the power to exercise our free choice, knowing that in His timing and way, God will change our emotions and thoughts to match the faith choice we have made. Humanly, this is completely impossible, but with God’s power it is. Naturally, we are unable to change our own negative thoughts and emotions, especially in a trial. However, this is the very time we must choose by faith to put in charge the Person who can change our natural feelings and thoughts, and that, of course, is God and His Spirit of power.
Kratos is God’s supernatural might to take what He has told us in His Word and implement it in our lives, no matter how we feel. We must make the choice, but then the “kratos might” of God will help us set aside the natural strength of our soul and accomplish with He desires in our lives.
For us to become “overcomers” we have to allow kratos to work in our lives. An overcomer is simply one who is free from self to serve God, one who has faith to appropriate the kratos might of the Lord in order to conquer sin, self and the devil (1 John 5:4). These are those that are willing to choose God’s will regardless of how they feel or what they think, and then trust His power to perform that will in their lives.
Kratos then is God’s power in action. This kind of power is applied by and implemented through a “faith choice” a choice we make by faith, not feelings, to do what God has said, regardless of how we feel, what we think or want. By being a cleansed vessel and praying “not my will, but Thine,” the kratos power of God can overcome whatever our flesh naturally wants and instead, enables us to do what God wants.
Strength Ischus (Strong’s #2479) (in our body)
This is the final of the three elements of God’s power, the ischus in the Greek. This is the visible power or the expressed strength and ability that God bestows upon us. Kratos and ischus often go together. God gives us the ability to choose His will (kratos) and then the ability and the strength to perform that will in our lives (ischus).
Mark 12:30
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength [ischus]: this is the first commandment.
KJV
God has provided the necessary power to do His bidding, let us “let go and let God” work through us.
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