15 - The Magnitude of Spiritual Power

In previous messages on Colossians 1:11, we've looked at the nature of spiritual power, and the need for it in the life of the believer. On this week's broadcast we consider the magnitude of that power and strength.

Paul uses two words for power in this verse. In the phrase “strengthened with all might” he twice uses the Greek word dunamis – a word signifying inherent power. In the phrase “according to His glorious power” he uses the word kratos – a word signifying demonstrated power. Paul uses these two words advisedly. Pagans of New Testament times used dunamis to ascribe power to their deities. Their worship of these deities was a way of appropriating the power, the dunamis, that they allegedly possessed. The pagans used kratos to describe the power of the Roman Empire, and of the emperor himself, who demanded worship as a god.

But Paul says to the Colossian believers: You have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness. My prayer is that you will have the true spiritual power – dunamis – in accordance with the true kratos, the demonstrated glorious power of God. As we look elsewhere in Colossians and in other Scriptures, we see the magnitude of that demonstrated power: It is the same power that created and sustains the universe; that raised Jesus Christ from the dead; and will raise believers from the dead when Jesus comes again.

Because it is God’s power, it is infinite, sovereign power. God makes it available to Christians according to His perfect knowledge of our need. His power operates not for fleshly interests, but for His glory and our greatest good.

That’s our focus this week as we continue our series, Christ Above All: Studies in Colossians.