SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:19
y cul sea aquella supereminente grandeza de su potencia en nosotros los que creemos, por la operacin de la potencia de su fortaleza,
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Ephesians 1:19
Verse 19. The exceeding greatness of his power] As the apostle is here speaking of the glorious state of believers after death, the exceeding greatness of his power, or that power which surpasses all difficulties, being itself omnipotent, is to be understood of that might which is to be exerted in raising the body at the last day; as it will require the same power or energy which he wrought in Christ, when he raised his body from the grave, to raise up the bodies of all mankind; the resurrection of the human nature of Christ being a proof of the resurrection of mankind in general. According to the working of his mighty power] kata thn energeian tou kratouv thv iscuov autou? According to the energy of the power of his might. We may understand these words thus: MIGHT, iscuv, is the state or simple efficiency of this attribute in God; POWER, kratov, is this might or efficiency in action; ENERGY, energeia, is the quantum of force, momentum, or velocity, with which the power is applied. Though they appear to be synonymous terms they may be thus understood: passive power is widely different from power in action; and power in action will be in its results according to the energy or momentum with which it is applied. The resurrection of the dead is a stupendous work of God; it requires his might in sovereign action; and when we consider that all mankind are to be raised and changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, then the momentum, or velocity, with which the power is to be applied must be inconceivably great. All motion is in proportion to the quantity of matter in the mover, and the velocity with which it is applied.
The effect here is in proportion to the cause and the energy he puts forth in order to produce it. But such is the nature of God's power in action, that it is perfectly inconceivable to us; and even these astonishingly strong words of the apostle are to be understood as used in condescension to human weakness.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe , &c.] The objects of the divine power here intended, are believers in Christ; which distinguishes this power from that which was put forth in creation, and from that which will be displayed in the resurrection of the dead, and from the power of divine wrath, which will appear in the damnation of sinners; and shows, that this power is that which is exerted in the implantation of faith, and in the continuance of it, and in the finishing of that work; and that this is a great power, an exceeding great one, a super eminent one; which is attended with energy and efficacy, and is irresistible and insuperable: the greatness of this power as displayed in the work of conversion and faith appears, if it be considered what the work itself is called, a creation, a resurrection from the dead, a regeneration, and a transformation of the man into another man, which must needs require almighty power; as well as what is then done, some things are removed, Satan is dispossessed, the stony heart is taken away, the enmity is slain, the old man is put down from his throne, and put off with his deeds; and there are some things wrought, Christ is formed in the soul, his grace is implanted, his image is stamped on, a new heart is given, and principles of light and life, of grace and holiness are put; the understanding is enlightened, the will is subdued, the affections are set on other objects, and the mind and conscience are cleansed and purified; and the means of this are the ministers, and ministry of the word, which are weak, foolish, and contemptible, in the eyes of men; to which may be added, the opposition made both from within and from without, from a sinful heart, a tempting devil, and an ensnaring, reproaching, and persecuting world: so that this work of faith cannot be ascribed to anything short of the exceeding greatness of divine power; and which is seen in supporting faith when it is wrought, under great discouragements; in delivering believers out of divers temptations; in assisting them to discharge their duty, and in their final perseverance: and to increase the idea of this power it is added, according to the working of his mighty power , or according to the energy of the might of his power: the strength of his power, in all the mighty energy of it, is exerted towards and upon believers; and which they should know, own, and acknowledge, to the glory of the grace of God: and this is in proportion, and agreeably to that power.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 15-23 - God has laid up spiritual blessings for us in his Son the Lord Jesus but requires us to draw them out and fetch them in by prayer. Even the best Christians need to be prayed for: and while we hear of the welfar of Christian friends, we should pray for them. Even true believer greatly want heavenly wisdom. Are not the best of us unwilling to com under God's yoke, though there is no other way to find rest for the soul? Do we not for a little pleasure often part with our peace? And i we dispute less, and prayed more with and for each other, we shoul daily see more and more what is the hope of our calling, and the riche of the Divine glory in this inheritance. It is desirable to feel the mighty power of Divine grace, beginning and carrying on the work of faith in our souls. But it is difficult to bring a soul to believ fully in Christ, and to venture its all, and the hope of eternal life upon his righteousness. Nothing less than Almighty power will work thi in us. Here is signified that it is Christ the Saviour, who supplie all the necessities of those who trust in him, and gives them all blessings in the richest abundance. And by being partakers of Chris himself, we come to be filled with the fulness of grace and glory in him. How then do those forget themselves who seek for righteousness ou of him! This teaches us to come to Christ. And did we know what we ar called to, and what we might find in him, surely we should come and be suitors to him. When feeling our weakness and the power of our enemies we most perceive the greatness of that mighty power which effects the conversion of the believer, and is engaged to perfect his salvation Surely this will constrain us by love to live to our Redeemer's glory __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 τι 5101 το 3588 υπερβαλλον 5235 5723 μεγεθος 3174 της 3588 δυναμεως 1411 αυτου 846 εις 1519 ημας 2248 τους 3588 πιστευοντας 4100 5723 κατα 2596 την 3588 ενεργειαν 1753 του 3588 κρατους 2904 της 3588 ισχυος 2479 αυτου 846
Vincent's NT Word Studies
19. Exceeding (uperballon). Compounds with uJper over, beyond, 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 ver. 21; iii. 20; 2 Cor. iv. 17, etc.
According to the working of His mighty power (kata thn energeian tou kratouv thv iscuov autou). 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 Philip. iii. 21, vile body, glorious body, for body of humiliation, body of glory: Rom. viii. 21, glorious liberty, for liberty of the glory: 2 Corinthians iv. 4, glorious gospel, for gospel of the glory: Col. i. 11, glorious power, for power of the glory: 1 Pet. i. 14, obedient children, for children of obedience: 2 Pet. ii. 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 Col. i. 29. For strength and might, see on 2 Peter ii. 11; John i. 12. Strength (kratouv) is used only of God, and denotes relative and manifested power. Might (iscuov). is indwelling strength. Working (energeian) 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.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:19 {The exceeding greatness of his power} (to huperballon megeqos tes dunamews autou). megeqos is an old word (from megas), but here only in N.T. huperballon, present active participle of huperballw, reappears in #2:7; 3:19 and seen already in #2Co 3:10; 9:14. To enlightened eyes the greatness of God's power is even more "surpassing."
