The Immeasurable Power Of God

I think the biggest take away I have with this time going through Ephesians was 1:19-- as God's power continues to pop up everywhere in Ephesians and everywhere else---considering the issue of sanctification specifically. As we go through Ephesians (3:7 and later,6:10) and as I go through other parts of Scripture I keep noting Eph. 1:19 when the Lord's great power is discussed. It's amazing!! 

So here it goes:

Eph 1:19  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20  that heworked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,

(ESV)

NASB:

Eph 1:19  and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might

Ps 89 – all powerful Creator

Is. 40:26 Greatness of His might, strong in power

God’s power is

surpassing

Immeasurable

Great

Great might

Working

Toward us

Btw, "greatness" is:  megethos

meg'-eth-os

From G3173; magnitude (figuratively): - greatness.

Mac’s Ephesians commentary on 1:19 says in part:

Paul's second request is for the Lord to give the Ephesian believers understanding of His great power that will bring them to their inheritance in glory. In verse 19 Paul uses four different Greek synonyms to emphasize the greatness of that power.

First is dunamis (power), from which we get dynamite and dynamo. This power is only for Christians, for those who believe. Not only that, but it is all the power we are ever offered or could ever have. There could be no more, and it is foolish and presumptuous to ask for more. The surpassing greatness of God's power is given to every believer, not just to those who believe and then have a mystical experience, second blessing, or some other supposed additional work of grace. When we are saved we receive all of God's grace and all of His power, and that assures us of the realization of our eternal hope.

Second is energeia (working), the energizing force of the Spirit that empowers believers to live for the Lord. Third is kratos (strength), which may also be translated "dominion" (1 Tim. 6:16) or "power" (Heb. 2:14). Fourth is ischus (might), which carries the idea of endowed power or ability. In all those ways the Holy Spirit empowers God's children.

End quote.

"in accordance with" means  in proportion to—here it is as infinite as God. It is not "out of" His strength as in a portion of it, but its in proportion to.

This is where the Greek really makes it stand out- John Richard was able to put it altogether in one sentence in it’s literal meaning but I didn’t write it down sadly—I think this is close and would go something like this (not nearly as neatly put as John Richard did, but you get the idea):

The immeasurable  magnitude of His explosive power of His energy toward us are in  proportion to the energy of His power or dominion of His ability which raised Jesus up from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.

 WOW!!! THAT is at work toward me? Us?! It goes along with v. 11 and of course the entire chapter..salvation and sanctification. So when I see God's power being talked about in Scripture, I now think of 1:19.

Eph 1:7  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 

Eph 1:8  which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 

Eph 1:9  making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 

Eph 1:10  as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 

Eph 1:11  In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 

Eph 1:12  so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 

Eph 2:4  But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 

Eph 2:5  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Eph 2:6  and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 

Eph 2:7  so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 

Eph 2:8  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 

Eph 2:9  not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 

Eph 3:7  Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 

Eph 6:10  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.