BE STRONG IN THE LORD
Before Paul begins his message on our spiritual armor, he first urges us to receive supernatural power! Continuing in Ephesians 6:10, he says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord….” In this chapter, we are going to see what Paul has to say about this supernatural power that God has made available to us.
So what exactly does it mean to be “strong in the Lord”?
First, the word “strong” is taken from the word endunamoo, which is a compound of the Greek words en and dynamis. The word en means in and the word dunamis means explosive strength, ability, or power. The word dunamis is where we get the word “dynamite.”
When these two words are compounded together, the new word endunamoo describes an empowering or an inner strengthening. It conveys the idea of being infused with an excessive dose of dynamic inner strength and ability.
Because the first part of endunamoo means in or into and the second part depicts explosive power, it is easy to conclude that this word portrays a power that is being deposited into something, such as a container, a vessel, or some other form of receptacle. The very nature of this word emphatically means that there necessarily must be some type of receiver for this power to be deposited into. This is where we come into the picture!
We are specially designed by God to be the receptacles for His divine power. This is the reason Paul urges us, “finally, my brethren, be strong….” His words carry the idea, “Receive a supernatural strengthening, an internal deposit of power into your inner man.” God is the Giver of this explosive power, and according to Ephesians 6:10, we are the receptacles into which this power is to be deposited.
The Greek tense used in Ephesians 6:10 is the present passive imperative. This means Paul was not simply suggesting that they receive this power; he was commanding them to receive it and, further, to receive it as soon as possible.
There is no question about Paul’s intentions in this verse. The usage of the present imperative tense means he was urging them in the strongest of words; he was commanding them to open their hearts to receive a brand-new touch of god’s power into their lives.
In addition to the present imperative tense, Paul also uses the passive tense in his command to “be strong.” The passive tense describes the ongoing, lasting effect of this power upon a believer’s life. This tense tells us that, although there is an immediate strengthening effect when God’s special endunamoo power is released in a believer’s life, it is more than a one-shot experience. This is a supernatural power that continues to strengthen that believer for a long, long time to come.
Paul knew that there is an ongoing experience with God’s power that is available to all believers. Paul also knew we desperately need this special touch of supernatural power in order to successfully combat the attacks that the enemy brings against us in this life.
In light of these truths, Paul urges us to open ourselves to God – spirit, soul, and body – so we can receive his supernatural strength. In fact, Paul’s desire for us to receive this power is so earnest that he uses the present passive imperative tense. Again, he is not suggesting that we receive this power; he is commanding us to receive it – and to receive it just as quickly as possible.
In a very strong, authoritative tone of voice, Paul commands all believers everywhere:
• “Be infused with supernatural strength and ability.”
• “Be empowered with this special touch of God’s strength.”
• “You must receive this inner strengthening!”
Why was Paul so strong on this point? Because he knew that we need to receive this power before out fight with the unseen forces commences. Without the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit operating in us, not one of us can ever be a match against Satan’s wily schemes and devices or against the demon spirits that come to war against out souls.
To stop these satanic strategies, we must receive God’s special empowering from on High. When the Holy Spirit’s supernatural strength is released within us, we are empowered to deal victoriously with this archenemy of the faith. That is why Paul commanded the Early Church to receive this special power – and now the Word of God gives us the same specific and urgent command: “Finally, my brethren, be strong….”
Remember, this is no suggestion on the part of Paul; this is a direct command.
SUPERHUMAN POWER FOR A SUPERHUMAN TASK
The word endunamoo (“strong”) was frequently used by classical Greek writers to describe individuals who had been very carefully handpicked by the gods to perform extra-special, superhuman tasks.
Endunamoo was perfectly suited to illustrate the kind of supernatural strength that Hercules supposedly possessed. Legend says that with this endowment from the pagan Greek gods, Hercules performed many extra-special, superhuman feats.
The apostle Paul was an exceptionally brilliant and educated man. From his own studies in classical Greek, he undoubtedly knew this historical usage of the word endunamoo. So when discussing the supernatural power that the Holy Spirit gives us to withstand the work of the adversary, Paul deliberately chose this word that had unmistakable connotations – denoting a power that turns mere men into champions who possess superhuman, supernatural strength.
Paul knew emphatically – beyond any shadow of doubt – that when God’s power is released full force into the life of a believer, His supernatural flow of power will turn that normal believer into a spiritual giant! Therefore, Paul commands every believer in the strongest of terms:
• “Be empowered!”
• “Receive this inner strengthening!”
• “Be infused with god’s supernatural strength and ability!”
Paul continues, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord….”
The phrase” in the Lord” is grammatically called the locative tense. Simply put, this means that this special power (endunamoo) can be found only one place – and that is “in the Lord.”
The fact that Paul wrote in the locative tense tells us that this power is “locked up” in the Person of Jesus Christ and that this power cannot be found anywhere else. We cannot obtain this special, supernatural power by reading books, listening to teaching tapes and books, but this special power can be obtained only through a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. This power is locked up “in the Lord.”
Doctrinally, this means that once we are redeemed by Jesus Christ, we are “locked up” in the Person of Jesus forever! As Paul told the Corinthians, “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:17). …Paul told his audience on Mars Hill, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being…” (Acts 17:28).
This wonderful locative tense is used seven times in Ephesians 1 to declare that we are perpetually, endlessly, and infinitely “locked up” in the Person of Jesus Christ. He has become our realm of existence and habitation. For all eternity, we are “in Him.”
IT’S YOURS FOR THE TAKING
…God placed us in a position to rub elbows with His divine power continuously. He graciously fixed it so it would be very difficult for us not to freely receive this impartation of superhuman, supernatural strength for the fight.
The experience God’s ever-available, ever-accessible power, you must open your heart to it and ask that it be released in your life. By faith you must reach out to embrace this special divine power, for because of your position “in the Lord,” you are surrounded by it right now. At this precise moment, you are immersed in God’s supernatural power. It is yours for the taking!
The only prerequisite to receiving this power is that you are “in the Lord.” If you are “in Him,” as the first chapter of Ephesians speaks of seven times, you are in position – right now – to receive a fresh touch of God’s strengthening power into your life!
Before Paul begins his message on our spiritual armor, he first urges us to receive supernatural power! Continuing in Ephesians 6:10, he says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord….” In this chapter, we are going to see what Paul has to say about this supernatural power that God has made available to us.
Speak Your Mind