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Power: That quality in any natural body which produces a change or makes an impression on another body; Influence; that which may move the mind; Command; the right of governing, or actual government; dominion; rule, sway; authority. Divinity; a celestial or invisible being or agent supposed to have dominion over some part of creation; as celestial powers; the powers of darkness. Christ is called the power of God, as through him and his gospel, God displays his power and authority in ransoming and saving sinners. 1 Corinthians 1:18.
Greek: dynamis [doo’-nam-is] = power [77], mighty work [11], strength [7], miracle [7], might [4], virtue [3], misc. [11]. from (dunamai); force; especially miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself): - ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, might (wonderful) work. Strong's Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. For the different meanings of which see ABILITY, MIGHT, of God, Matt. 26:64; Mark 14:62; of angels, e.g., perhaps in Eph. 1:21, RV, "power," AV, "might" (cp. Rom. 8:38; 1 Pet. 3:22); of that which manifests God's "power:" Christ, 1 Cor. 1:24; the Gospel, Rom. 1:16; Mark 6:5, "mighty work;" so Mark 9:39, RV (AV, "miracle"); Acts 2:22 ; Acts 8:13, "miracles;" 2 Cor. 12:12, RV, "mighty works" (AV, "mighty deeds"). Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words.
This is the real power word used here in 1st Corinthians. The major understanding of this word comes from the English language; DYNAMITE. The idea is to light a small match or piece of fire and attach it to the powder in the stick of dynamite. The power is not in the stick or in the match, although these are important to the equation. It takes the working of several things to make the dynamite do the work that it is designed to do. The power is in the powder and the makeup of its ingredients.
This is the way the Christian life is supposed to work, but there are rules and laws that must be followed to activate this ‘dynamis’ power. One such rule is the law of Faith, which has been implanted in all believers who accept this power into their life for service. The realm that is so powerful for faith is its ‘no limitations’ policy. In other words, it is based on your ability to dream big dreams and have great visions. This is a great ingredient to the use of power and its ability to change even the greatest of things, like a man’s mind.
But just as faith is unrestricted, so too is the doing of the thing. Knowing that God, the total Creator, is involved helps us to understand the doing and the idea of how the impossible is able to be achieved. Luke 18:27 (NASB) But He said, "The things that are impossible with people are possible with God." God is the powder in the Christian, but there are ways to use this power in that it works well and is not destructive. Proverbs 18:21 (AMP) Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. James says that you can create something wonderful or something destructive. Either way, it is important to see that man is involved and has a great role to play in the world of believing and unbelieving. It is what you do with your faith and tongue that determines blessings and cursing. The best way to deal with it all is to make sure that the Word of God is first and foremost in all that you think, say and do. This is where ‘dunimis’ kicks in and will perform miracles on every wave. It will come through you and not from you. It will be the working of the Holy Spirit to assist you in helping man be free from all that plagues him.
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