FOR GOD HAS
NOT GIVEN US: ou gar edoken (3SAAI) hemin o theos:
This phrase reiterates again Who the gift is from. When we are
vacillating and apprehensive, we can be sure it is because our focus is
on ourselves and our own human resources rather than on the Lord and His
available divine resources.
As Peter writes...
His divine power has granted to
us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true
knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by
these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises,
in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. (2Pe 1:3;
1:4 see notes
2Pe 1:3;
1:4).
A SPIRIT OF
TIMIDITY : pneuma deilias:
(Acts 20:24; 21:13; Ro 8:15; Heb
2:15; 1Jn 4:18)
Spirit (4151)
(pneuma from pnéo = to breathe) means a blowing
(wind), a breathing (breath) and can refer to the seat of the inner
spiritual life of man, capacity to know God.
Arnold Glasgow's words are
fittingly applied to Timothy
Make your life a mission—not an
intermission.
Spurgeon put it this way...
It is an abomination to let the grass
grow up to your knees and do nothing towards making it into hay. God
never sent a man into the world to be idle. (Adding that) Now
is the watchword of the wise.
D. Edmond Hiebert comments
that...
"Some would interpret "spirit"
here to mean the Holy Spirit. It seems better... to regard the reference
to the inner qualities, the spiritual character wrought in us
by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit-wrought character, described
negatively and positively, is the gift of God's grace.
Negatively, it is "not a spirit of fearfulness." God did not give us a
spirit of fearfulness, cowardice, or timidity, so that we cower and let
our flame die down when confronted with the prospects of suffering.
"But," on the contrary, God gave us a spirit "of power and love
and discipline." These three graces are especially needed by one in
Timothy's circumstances. Threatening clouds are rapidly darkening the
sky; added to the prevailing local hostility to the planting and
development of the Church there is now imperial hostility. In the face
of these ominous developments there is need for
power,
aggressive energy in the face of difficulty, which overcomes
the weakness of cowardice and enables one to work, to endure, to suffer,
and to die if need be. Needed also is the spirit "of
love,"
that self-forgetting love to Christ, the church, and the souls of
men, which exhorts, warns, rebukes with boldness and fidelity at
whatever risk of consequences to self. The third quality mentioned
is "discipline."
The original word means "the act of making sober, or calling to
soundness of mind"...The meaning is rather that of self-control,
self-discipline, the exercise of a sane, balanced mind. "As Paul grew
older and richer in experience, he realized the value to the preacher of
religious sanity"
(Greene)." (2 Timothy by D. Edmond Hiebert) (Bolding added)
Timidity (1167)
(deilia
from
deilos = fearful, timid as in Mt 8:26 where it
equated their fear with little faith and in Septuagint of Jdg
7:3-note) means
lack of mental or moral strength,
timidity (lacking courage, self confidence,
boldness or determination), reticence (inclination
to be silent or uncommunicative in speech), cowardice
(lack of courage or
resolution) or
shameful fear that is generated by weak, selfish character. The picture
is one who is in a state of fear because of a lack of courage or moral
strength.
Deilia is never used in
a good sense, whereas another word for "fear" (phobos) can be
used in either a good sense (fear of the Lord) or a bad sense. Deilia
is only used here in the NT.
Related Resource:
Click
4 part series on Biblically
How to Handle Fear
Trench commenting on the
comparison of deilia, phobos and eulabeia writes that...
"Of these three words the first,
deilia, is used always in a bad sense; the second, phobos
, is a middle term, capable of a good interpretation, capable of an
evil, and lying indifferently between the two; the third, eulabeia,
is quite predominantly used in a good sense, though it too has not
altogether escaped being employed in an evil." (Trench, R. C.
Synonyms of the New Testament. Page 34)
Friberg defines deilia
"as a shameful state of fear from lack of courage" (Friberg, T:
Analytical lexicon of the Greek New Testament. Page 105. Grand Rapids,
Mich.: Baker Books)
Although deilia is not
used elsewhere in Scripture, Jesus does use the related verb (deliao)
in His parting words of comfort to His disciples whose hearts were
troubled and agitated...
Peace I leave with you; My peace I
give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you.
Let
not your heart
be troubled,
(present
imperative = stop
letting this happen. Verb tarasso = cause one inward commotion, take
away calmness of mind, disturb equanimity; disquiet, make restless) nor
let it
be fearful.
(The related verb deliao = be timid or
afraid;
present imperative;
again the idea is that this was occurring. "Stop being fearful" or "Stop
lacking courage" is the idea.) (John
14:27)
So here we see the antidote for
"fearfulness" or "timidity" is the peace that Christ gives. J Vernon
McGee adds these practical comments on Jesus words in John 14:27...
The peace He is talking
about here is not the peace of sins forgiven. This is the glorious,
wonderful peace that comes to the heart of those who are fully
yielded to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the peace of heart and
mind of those who are in the will of God." (McGee, J. V. Thru the
Bible commentary. Vol. 4, page 464. Nashville: Thomas Nelson) (Or
Listen to the Mp3 of John 14:16-31) (Bolding
added)
Warren Wiersbe adds that...
The world bases its peace on its
resources, while God’s peace depends on relationships. To be right with
God means to enjoy the peace of God. The world depends on personal
ability, but the Christian depends on spiritual adequacy in Christ. In
the world, peace is something you hope for or work for; but to the
Christian, peace is God’s wonderful gift, received by faith. Unsaved
people enjoy peace when there is an absence of trouble; Christians enjoy
peace in spite of trials because of the presence of power, the Holy
Spirit. People in the world walk by sight and depend on the externals,
but Christians walk by faith and depend on the eternals. (Wiersbe,
W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor
or
Logos)
Fearfulness arises from our own
natural condition and should never mark the spirit of the believer. The
Lord is never responsible for our cowardice, our lack of confidence, or
our being shameful of Him. Under the severe persecution of Nero, with
Paul in prison and condemned to death, it would be natural for Timothy
and other believers to be afraid and to refrain from speaking out for
Christ.
Ray Stedman adds these practical thoughts
I do not know any
statement in Paul's writings that is more practically important to us
than that ("God has not given us a spirit of
fear"), because, if you are like me, you are
oppressed and assaulted by a spirit of fear most of the time. Anxiety,
worry, trembling about what is going to happen, a sense of terrible
disaster looming, of chaos and crisis that is about to break upon us --
these are forms of fear; this is the spirit of fear. This verse says
that these do not come from God. Did it ever occur to you that
Christians are forbidden to fear? How many times in the Scriptures do we
read that Jesus said, "Fear not!" (Ed:
however not the same Greek word) "Let not your
heart be troubled," {Jn
14:1,
14:27}. Do not let it go in that
direction. Stop it when it starts going that way. God does not give us a
spirit of fear. If we have such it is coming from another source, the
enemy, who is the spirit of fear. (See the full sermon
The Promise of Life)
John MacArthur records a powerful example of the spirit Paul is
writing about in this verse:
During the Boxer Rebellion (1899–1900), extreme nationalist Chinese
fomented a campaign of terror against officials of foreign governments,
Christian missionaries, and even Chinese Christians. After they
surrounded a certain mission station, they sealed all exits except one.
They placed a cross in the dirt in front of the opened gate and told the
missionaries and students that anyone who walked out and trampled the
cross would be spared. According to reports, the first seven students
who departed trampled the cross and were sent on their way. The eighth
student, a young girl, approached the cross, knelt down, prayed for
strength, carefully walked around the cross, and was immediately shot to
death. The remaining 92 students, strengthened by that girl’s courageous
example, also walked around the cross to their deaths. (MacArthur,
J. 2 Timothy. Chicago: Moody Press
or
Logos)
Today in the Word writes
that...
Mickey Mantle, the late Hall-of-Famer
for the New York Yankees, was a teenager when the Yankees sent him back
to the minors in 1951. Convinced he couldn't make it as a ballplayer,
Mantle called his father, who came to Kansas City and found a tearful
Mickey ready to quit the game. 'OK, son, if that's all the guts you
have, you might as well come home with me and work in the zinc mines,'
the elder Mantle said. His dad's challenge stung Mantle back to reality,
and he went on to greatness. Paul's challenge to Timothy wasn't a
stinging rebuke, but the apostle did urge his young spiritual son to
'get back in the game,' so to speak. For some reason, Timothy's
spiritual fervor had begun to lag, even though he was in his youthful
years (see 1 Tim. 4:12). He needed to rekindle the flame of his
spiritual gift (v. 6) and get back in the game. (Ref)
><>><>><>
People Of Courage - Police
found it hard to believe, but an unarmed housewife captured three
burglars singlehandedly. The woman had come home and found three men
loading household items into their car parked in her driveway. She
pulled her van behind their car and then ordered the men to carry her
belongings back into the house and sit on the couch until the police
arrived. Later, when asked why they didn't escape, she replied, "The
Lord was with me. . . . I wasn't going to move my van so they could get
away. What was I to do? Run away?"
The apostle Paul also showed unusual courage. His friends probably
thought he was being reckless when he insisted on going to Jerusalem
after he had been warned of the danger that awaited him (Acts 21:11, 12, 13).
A strong argument could be made for him to delay his trip. After all, on
another occasion he had escaped from danger (Acts 9:23-25). Yet Paul
knew what he had to do. With unwavering determination he courageously
headed for Jerusalem.
It's not easy to know when such boldness is wise or foolish. Only the
Spirit can show us. But one thing is sure, Christians have reason to be
courageous. God is our helper. And when we rely on Him, He'll enable us
to stand firm no matter what danger we may face. —Mart De Haan (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Ask God for good judgment and courage
To face unexpected events;
To follow the teachings of Scripture
Is the best, most effective defense. —Hess
Courage is fear that has said its prayers.
BUT OF
POWER: alla dunameos kai agapes kai sophronismou:
(Micah
3:8; Zech 4:6; Lu 10:19; 24:49; Acts 1:8; 6:8; 9:22; 10:38; 1Cor 2:4)
Micah
after condemning the false prophets, whose true character had been
disclosed by their "bad fruit" -- receiving "no answer of God" (Micah
3:7; cp Dt 18:20, 21, 22, notes on "bad fruit" to aid discernment
-Mt 7:16; 17; 18; 19; 20 - see notes
Mt 7:16;
17;
18;
19;
20),
Micah asserts his own power to reveal God's Word through the Holy
Spirit. His own prophecies would soon be fulfilled, and thus he
declares...
On the other hand I am filled with
power (Lxx
=
ischus)
-- (Where/Who is the Source of His power?) With the Spirit of the LORD--
And with justice and courage to make known to Jacob his rebellious act,
even to Israel his sin. (Micah 3:8)
Zechariah
hears the following famous words of encouragement for the civil leader
Zerubbabel, regarding the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem...
Then he (the angel speaking to
Zechariah) answered and said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to
Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says
the LORD of hosts (see
Jehovah Sabaoth).
(Zech 4:6)
(Comment: Neither is man's weakness a hindrance to God, nor is
his strength an aid to God. O, how we need to remember this basic
principle of spiritual life, cp John 15:5)
In some of our Lord's last words the
King granted His apostles (and applicable to all believers of all ages)
the following beatitude...
And behold, I am sending forth the
promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you
are clothed with power (dunamis)
from on high. (Luke 24:49)
Our Lord reiterated this glorious
promise in Acts in what were literally His parting words before His
ascension...
but you shall receive power (dunamis)
when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses
both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the
remotest part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
Regarding our power versus
God's power Spurgeon phrased it this way...
Power in the creature is like
water in the cistern. Power in the Creator is like water in the
fountain. (From the
The Mighty Arm)
J. Hudson Taylor affirmed this
axiom for every Christian worker...
Depend upon it. God's work done in
God's way will never lack supplies. All God's giants have been weak men
who did great things for God because they reckoned on His being with
them. God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on Him.
Power
(1411)
(dunamis
from dunamai = to be able, to have power) power
especially achieving power. It refers to intrinsic power or inherent ability, the power or ability to carry out some function,
the potential
for functioning in some way (power, might, strength, ability,
capability), the power
residing in a thing by virtue of its nature.
Dunamis (Click here
for all the NT verses that use dunamis) is a key word in the NT being found
in 115 verses in the NAS most
often in the Gospels and especially by Dr. Luke and in the
Revelation (Matt. 7:22; 11:20, 21, 23; 13:54, 58; 14:2; 22:29;
24:29, 30; 25:15; 26:64; Mk. 5:30; 6:2, 5, 14; 9:1, 39; 12:24; 13:25,
26; 14:62; Lk. 1:17, 35; 4:14, 36; 5:17; 6:19; 8:46; 9:1; 10:13, 19;
19:37; 21:26, 27; 22:69; 24:49; Acts 1:8; 2:22; 3:12; 4:7, 33; 6:8;
8:10, 13; 10:38; 19:11; Ro 1:4, 16, 20; 8:38; 9:17; 15:13, 19; 1 Co.
1:18, 24; 2:4, 5; 4:19, 20; 5:4; 6:14; 12:10, 28, 29; 14:11; 15:24, 43,
56; 2Co 1:8; 4:7; 6:7; 8:3; 12:9, 12; 13:4; Gal. 3:5; Eph. 1:19, 21;
3:7, 16, 20; Phil. 3:10; Col. 1:11, 29; 1Th 1:5; 2Th 1:7, 11; 2:9; 2Ti
1:7, 8; 3:5; Heb. 1:3; 2:4; 6:5; 7:16; 11:11, 34; 1Pe 1:5; 3:22; 2Pe
1:3, 16; 2:11; Re 1:16; 3:8; 4:11; 5:12; 7:12; 11:17; 12:10; 13:2; 15:8;
17:13; 18:3; 19:1) and translated variously as: ability, 4; meaning, 1;
mightily, 1; mighty, 1; miracle, 2; miracles, 17; miraculous
powers, 3; power, 83; powers, 6; strength, 2; wealth, 1.
There are some 369 uses of dunamis in the non-apocryphal
Septuagint (LXX).
Matthew
and Mark fittingly use dunamis as a proper name of God = "Power"
(see Matthew 26:64 , Mark 14:62)!
Dunamis is the implied ability or capacity to perform. It conveys the idea of
effective, productive energy, rather than that which is raw and
unbridled.
Dunamis is the word generally
used by Paul of divine energy.
Scripture uses dunamis to
describe deeds that exhibit the ability to function powerfully (deeds of
power, miracles, wonders) (eg, see Mt 11:20, 23, 13:54, 58, etc)
Sometimes dunamis is used to
represent an entity or being that functions with remarkable power,
especially being used to describe angel as powers (eg, see
Romans 8:38-note
Ephesians 6:12-note)
There is an instructive use of
dunamis later in 2 Timothy where Paul describes men...
holding to a form of godliness,
although they have denied its power (dunamis); and avoid such men as these.
(See 2 Timothy 3:5-note)
(Comment: The point is that the so-called godliness of these men
is a sham and devoid of any real divine power to break the power of
Sin. Those who practice such deception enjoy the
enjoy expressions of
evangelical worship but they are
violently at odds with the gospel’s internal effects of subduing sin and
nurturing holiness. They lack the inherent ability or capability, the
dunamis, because they lack the indwelling Spirit Who strengthens with
power for which Paul prays in Ephesians 3:16 (note)
The corollary is that those who possess the indwelling Spirit and divine
dunamis have the inherent ability to wage victorious battle with the
believer's three mortal enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil, all seeking to
turn us from God and unto self --
flesh
-- and its ungodly, unholy
attitudes and actions. One can readily see the importance of praying for
believers to be strengthened with dunamis power through the Spirit in
their inner man - see
Ephesians 3:16)
William MacDonald
comments on Paul's reminder to Timothy of his access to God's "dunamis"
writing that...
"Unlimited strength is at our
disposal. Through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, the believer can
serve valiantly, endure patiently, suffer triumphantly, and, if need be,
die gloriously."
MacDonald quotes F B Meyer
"It is power. It is His power. It is
great power; nothing less would suffice. It is exceeding great power,
beyond the furthest cast of thought.”
This is the power which God
used in our redemption, which He uses in our preservation, and which He
will yet use in our glorification. Lewis Sperry Chafer writes: Paul
wants to impress the believer with the greatness of the power which is
engaged to accomplish for him everything that God has purposed according
to His work of election, predestination and sovereign adoption." (MacDonald,
W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson)
Note that in his letter to the
Ephesians Paul did not pray that believers might be given divine
power but that they might be aware of the divine power they already
possessed. (See notes
Ephesians 1:18;
1:19;
1:20).
I pray that the eyes of your heart
may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His
calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the
saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power
(dunamis) toward us who believe. (What kind of power is Paul praying
for?) These are in accordance with the
working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in
Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right
hand in the heavenly places
Through Christ we have the resource
of God’s own supernatural power, the very power (dunamis) He used to
raise Christ from the dead. It is of utmost importance to understand
that God does not provide His power for us to misappropriate for our own
purposes. He provides His power to accomplish His purposes through us.
When our trust is only in Him, and our desire is only to serve Him, He
is both willing and “able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we
ask or think, according to the power that works within us” (Ephesians
3:20-note).
Although God promises us and provides us with His dunamis power, we must
learn wait upon His timing (Acts 1:8) and also be willing to humble
ourselves that His power may be perfected in us (2Cor 12:9). Note that
Jesus Himself had at least in one sense the same power available to
believers today (see Lu 4:1,14,18 ...God
anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power)
Barclay writes that dunamis...
can be used of any kind of
extraordinary power. It can be used of the power of growth, of the
powers of nature, of the power of a drug, of the power of a man’s
genius. It always has the meaning of an effective power which does
things and which any man can recognize. (Barclay,
W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster
Press)
John MacArthur reminds us (as Paul was reminding Timothy) that because the
"resources we have from
our heavenly Father are power and love and discipline, when we are
vacillating and apprehensive, we can be sure it is because our focus is
on ourselves and our own human resources rather than on the Lord and His
available divine resources." If God has told us to do something this
verse takes away the excuse
"I can't do it, it's too hard". (MacArthur, J. 2
Timothy. Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press.) (Bolding added)
Dunamis is the root from which we derive the English word
dynamic, (synonyms = energetic, functioning, live,
operative, working) which describes that which is marked by usually
continuous and productive activity or change. That which is dynamic is
characterized by energy or forces that produce motion, as opposed to
that which is static. Another English word dynamite, is
derived from dunamis and since dunamis is used by Paul to describe the
"power of God", some have suggested that the gospel is "God’s dynamite".
This is misapplication of this English derivative in an attempt to try
to picture the life saving power of the gospel. Dunamis
does not refer to explosive power, as if the gospel will blow men to
bits but as discussed above, it refers to intrinsic power. The gospel is
dynamic, God’s dynamic, and so is powerful in the transformation of
human lives.
Regarding dunamis power available to believers today the Open Bible comments
that...
"The power of the Holy Spirit was not
designed solely for the first-century church. Rather, all Christians are
indwelt by the Spirit and thus have His power available (1Corinthians
6:19). However, living the Christian life under the Spirit’s power must
not be thought of as simply allowing the Spirit to take control while
the believer does nothing. Believers still must live the Christian life,
though they do it through the Spirit’s power. Romans 8:13
(note) says, “if by the Spirit you put to death
the deeds of the body, you will live.” It is you who are to put to death
the sinful deeds of the body, but you are to do it through the Spirit’s
power. Christians who struggle in their own strength to live the
Christian life will fail. They must by faith appropriate daily the power
of the Holy Spirit (Ro 8:4; 8:5 -see notes
Ro 8:4;
8:5). Described
practically, this means that believers trust the Spirit to empower them
in specific instances such as sharing their faith with others, resisting
temptation, being faithful, and so on. There is no secret formula that
makes the Spirit’s power available. It is simply a reliance on the
Spirit to help." (The Open Bible: New King James Version. Nashville:
Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Dunamis is
the word most often translated as "miracles" ("miraculous
powers") {compilation of articles:
Miracle (ISBE);
Miracle (Torrey);
Miracles (Naves);
Miracles (Smith);
Miracles (Baker's);
Miracle (Easton);
Miracle (ATS);
Miracles (Holman)
} are defined as an extraordinary work of God, generally though transcending the ordinary
powers of Nature; an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention
in human affairs; an event that is contrary to the established laws of
nature and attributed to a supernatural cause.
Tyndale Bible Dictionary defines a miracle
as...
A divine act by which God reveals
himself to people. The classical definition of miracle assumes that it
is contrary to natural law, but this is a misnomer for two reasons.
First, many of the miracles of the Bible used nature rather than
bypassed it (e.g., the wind that parted the Red Sea, Exodus 14:21).
Second, there no longer is a concept of “absolute natural laws”; rather,
a phenomenon that is not readily explainable may reflect laws that
scientists do not yet fully understand. In Scripture the element of
faith is crucial; a natural approach cannot prove or disprove the
presence of “miracle.” The timing and content of the process can be
miraculous, even though the event may seem natural. The revelatory
significance is also important. In every case God performed the miracle
not merely as a “wonder” to inspire awe but as a “sign” to draw people
to Himself.
(Elwell,
W. A., & Comfort, P. W. Tyndale Bible Dictionary. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale
House Publishers)
Power
as used by Paul here in 2 Timothy conveys the idea that Timothy (and all believers)
have the God given inherent ability necessary for meeting difficulties and for the
fulfillment of the service committed to us.
God never commands us to do what He does not also enable us to complete.
God gives us the
power
to overcome all obstacles and to face all dangers.
In Colossians Paul has an instructive use of "dunamis" explaining that...
"for
which
(that he might present every man complete in Christ) also I labor
(kopiao
= engage in hard work implying difficulties and trouble
and speaks of intense toil even sweating and straining to the point of
exhaustion if necessary),
striving (agonizomai
- was used of an Olympic athlete
giving their best as they competed in the games) according to His
working (energeo
= active work producing effect),
that is working (energeo) in me in power
(dunamis) The struggle is carried on in proportion, not to
Paul's natural powers, but to the mightily working energy of Christ
within him. All his toil and hard labor would have been useless
apart from God’s power (dunamis) in his life. Paul was
most himself when he was least dependent on his own resources. So it is
for all persons in Christ. We are not reliant on our own power, but that of Christ whose Presence works mightily
within us. This truth answers the question often asked “How was it
possible for one man (and a man with a thorn in the flesh!), even
with the help of fellow-workers, to accomplish so much?” Day by day,
yes even moment by moment Christ’s enabling Spirit was at work within
Paul’s entire person, bestowing dunamis power upon body and soul.
(see note
Colossians 1:29)
Peter uses dunamis to
describe God's power which provides believers everything we need to live
the Christian life writing..
Grace and peace be multiplied to
you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord seeing that His divine
power (dunamis - Christ’s inherent power is the source
of the believer’s sufficiency - His power saves us in the first place,
and His power energizes us to live holy lives from then on - this power
is active, dynamic, and compelling—and it is mightily at work on our
behalf. We don't always sense it, but it is there and available
nonetheless) has
granted to us everything (do you really believe this?)
pertaining to life (life to the fullest, as God intended and as is
now possible only in Christ) and godliness (eusebeia
= living reverently,
loyally, and obediently toward God), through the true knowledge
(epignosis
- an intimate and complete knowledge - as His divine power is the
source of godliness, so true, full knowledge of Him is the channel - to
know Him is eternal life [John 17:3] and progress in
knowing Him is progress in godliness) of Him who called us by His own
glory and excellence. (See note
2 Peter 1:3)
John MacArthur in a thought
parallel to the passage in 2 Peter explains where we get this dunamis power writing that...
It is the Word of God that infuses
us with power, but there’s nothing worse than feeling like an
impotent Christian. In
Acts 1:8 we read, “But ye shall
receive power.” The Greek word for “power” is
dunamis, which means “miraculous power” or “dynamite.” Now someone
might say that you ought to be exploding all over the world with this
tremendous power. But you say to yourself, “Exploding! I don’t even
fizzle. I feel like a dud.” Someone else might say that you ought to be
out there winning people to Jesus Christ. But you say, “Are you kidding?
Not me. I’m like Moses, I—I—I—I can’t talk” (cf. Exodus 3:10). Sometimes we get hung
up with our impotence because we really don’t know the “power”
available to us. Listen, the Word of God will infuse us with “power.”
From my own life I’ve realized that the more I know about the Word
of God, the less I fear any situation, because the Word is my resource."
(MacArthur,
J., Jr. How to Study the Bible. John MacArthur's Bible Studies. Chicago:
Moody Press
) (See related online studies by
Dr MacArthur [1]
How to Study Your Bible: Interpretation
[2]
What it Takes to Study God's Word;
[3]
Steps to Solid Study)
In a key passage in Acts Jesus
explains to His disciples that they..
shall receive power (dunamis) when the Holy Spirit has
come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses (martus - English
"martyr") both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part
of the earth. (Acts 1:8
)
John MacArthur commenting on
Acts 1:8 writes that because of this
dunamis power...
All believers have in them
spiritual dynamite for use of gifts, service, fellowship, and witness.
They need to experience the release of that power in their lives through
not grieving the Spirit by sin (see Ephesians 4:30-note),
and being continually filled and controlled by the Spirit (see Ephesians
5:18-note). The latter takes
place as believers yield moment by moment control of their lives to Him,
and is the same as yielding their minds to the Word (see Colossians
3:16-note).
(MacArthur,
J: Acts 1-12; Acts
13-28 Moody Press)
MacDonald adds that
dunamis in
Acts 1:8 describes power which...
is the grand indispensable of
Christian witness. A man may be highly talented, intensively trained,
and widely experienced, but without spiritual power he is ineffective.
On the other hand, a man may be uneducated, unattractive, and unrefined,
yet let him be endued with the power of the Holy Spirit and the world
will turn out to see him burn for God." (MacDonald,
W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson)
J Vernon McGee agrees with the
previous comments on dunamis in
Acts 1:8 adding that...
"Although it is our business today
to get out the Word of God, there is no power in us, there
is no power in the church, but there is power in the Holy Spirit.
It is the Holy Spirit Who moves through an individual or through the
church or through a radio program. The question is whether we permit Him
to do so." (McGee,
J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson)
(See his Mp3's on
Acts)
What does this dunamis
power to be a witness for Jesus look like? It radically touches our
inner complexities—who we are deep inside. Not only must we have the
message, the gospel, but we should seek to have the compliment
made of us that Sir Henry Stanley gave David Livingstone after discovering and
spending time with him in Central Africa:
“If I had been with him
any longer, I would have been compelled to be a Christian, and he never
spoke to me about it at all.”
David Livingstone’s witness went far
beyond mere words because it was not his power but God's supernatural
inherent (dunamis) power flowing through him. May the compliment be
given to Livingstone be multiplied in our lives beloved, for the glory
of God alone and for His Kingdom. God protect us from the danger of
forgetting that we cannot do what God can do and that God will not do
what we can do.
Kenneth Wuest
says that dunamis...
"power in the sense of that which
overcomes resistance or effects a change" (In
Mark 5:30
literal Greek = “Jesus, perceiving
in Himself the out from Him power going out”) It was some of (Jesus') supernatural power which He felt leaving Him in
the accomplishing of the miraculous cure".
(Describing the effect of the gospel
Wuest writes) Paul chooses dunamis to describe the effectual working of
the good news of salvation (See Romans 1:16 -note For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power [dunamis] of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also
to the Greek.). Dunamis is power, natural ability,
inherent power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or, power
which a person or thing exerts or puts forth. The gospe
