"Finally, be empowered (endynamousthe) in the Lord (Kyriō) also in the dominion (kratei) of the strength (ischyos) of him."1
This word for empowered, endunamoó, "power, ability" (from en "in," and dynamóō, "sharing power-ability") – properly, to impart ability (make able); empowered. We are imparted this power or ability in Christ, it is this power that gives one dominion or power to rule over sin. This word for dominion, kratei, it is from a root meaning "to perfect, complete." This ruling over sin is not under law but "in the dominion of the strength of him" or the ability or power he gives. We must be empowered by Christ to have dominion thus power over sin.
"with all power, filled with power according to the glorious dominion of him..."2
Dominion is a difficult word to express in English words, many have attempted to convey its meaning with words like strength, power, might... often in translations these words are used so interchangeably they confuse the understanding of the meaning. It helps understanding by examining a verse with most of these words; "What is the surpassing greatness of the power (dynameōs) of him toward us believing, according to the working (energeian) of the dominion (kratous) of the strength (ischyos) of him."3
"Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the Law..."4
We see dominion comes through the working of power in His strength. As we decrease He increases. Or put another way, "in our weakness his power is being perfected." Dominion does not come through rules and regulations of "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?5 But through the reign of Christ. I believe most Christians do not have dominion. Maybe it is because most do not understand grace nor baptism fully, "if you have died with Christ away from principles of the world, why do you submit to decrees as if living in the world?"6 This word for decree, dogmatizó, "subject to regulations, decrees." Men will not reign over sin by dogma.
"sin you will not rule over, indeed, not under the law but under grace"7
This word for "rule over" kyrieusei, "have authority, rule over" (from kurios; lord, master) properly to rule over as an owner with full dominion. Just as we can attempt to rule over sin by rules and regulations, we can apply an earthly authority subjecting men to obedience to ordinances and rules in an attempt to rule over sin. But such is of little value as Paul writes, training for godliness is needed.8 We have dominion over sin not through fleshly attempts to "rule over" sin, which can be through fear, condemnation, guilt, shame, worldly sorrow... but under the abundance of Grace, righteousness in Christ, and the dominion of Christ, our Lord, King, and Master.
"If indeed, by the one trespass death reigned by the one, how much more through the abundance of Grace and the gift of righteousness receiving, one will reign by the One Jesus Christ."9
This word for reign is basileus, "king, ruler" it is a reign, or foundation of power. In the old covenant such a foundation was in the earthly reign of kings, rulers, and in decrees. In the new covenant reign is not by the flesh nor by the Law but by Grace and Truth, it is this dominion we have in Christ, transformed by the power of Spirit and Truth. Now, Christ through His death destroyed the dominion over death which the devil had.10 And by the blood of the Lamb, and the testimony of the witnesses who cared not for their lives, the ruler of this world was cast out.11
"For what the Law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous standard of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."12
Sin reigned in death. In the old covenant the Law was to produce obedience, or the ability to rule over sin, but sin took opportunity through the flesh, to abound in decrees, rules, and regulations.14 The power of sin is the law.15 "however, now we have been released from the law, having died to that which bound us, in order to serve in the newness of Spirit and not in the letter of the Law."16 The reign over sin comes through grace and truth, "For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."17
"just as sin reigned in death, so also grace reigns on account of righteousness, to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."18
Grace reigns in Christ. It is by grace we are saved, nonetheless through faith in Christ, but it is by Grace.19 Grace reigns on account of the righteousness of Christ that was given to us, "through the abundance of Grace and the gift of righteousness receiving will reign by the One Jesus Christ." Not our own righteousness nor works, "so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life."14 This reign comes not through fear but love, the perfect love of God casts out the fear of death, its reign, its power.12
"Therefore, my son, be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus."16
Strength in Grace. This word for "be strong" is endynamóō the same word used in "Finally, be empowered (endunamoó) in the Lord..." Christ came to set us free, we who were subject to fear and death; slavery.9 It was by the good pleasure of his will, in God's infinite wisdom, to show the surpassing riches of His Grace in his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.15 We see the new birth and the transformation, both being established by grace and truth, by the Word and Spirit of God.
"But when the kindness and benevolence of God appeared, by our Savior, not by works of righteousness practiced but according to his mercy he saved us through washing of new birth and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Christ Jesus the savior of us, that having been justified by Grace, heirs we should become according to the hope of life."19
"The one having saved us and called us, a call holy, not according to works of us, but according to His own purpose and Grace given us in Christ Jesus, before the time eternal."17 This word for call, means "summons, invite, name" he called us Holy by name, not based upon works but for His purpose and Grace. Established by the gospel. Paul writes, Christ is able to establish you in "my gospel," he mentions others teach another gospel, as if there was one, they teach establishment in dogma.
"to him able to establish you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery in times of ages kept hidden."18
This word for establish means to fix, firmly, set fast, i.e. (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm -- fix, (e-)stablish, stedfastly set, strengthen. Christ establishes us, turns us. It is incorrect to say an unbeliever must turn from sin as they have no power to do so, they must be "born again" or established "by Grace through faith..." in justification, redemption, the forgiveness of sins. It is also incorrect to say a new believer will have outward dominion right away, there is soul transformation.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.”16
This word for power, dunamis, means "having ability." It is not conjured up, not established through earthly rules nor rulers, but provided to those who abide in Christ. It is the same power as "the surpassing greatness of the power of him toward us believing, according to the working of the dominion of the strength of him." He gives us this ability and His power is perfected in weakness, when we trust in him. Obedience can not be acheived without the establishment of trust.
"Be vigilant, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."6
This word for "be strong" is krataiousthe, from kratos, "attain mastery" to have dominion over. Acting like a man is to be brave, as a full-grown, mature man; but not in the strength of a physical man, though the inward portrays outward, but "empowered in the Lord and in the ability of the strength of him." Dominion operates by the Lord's in working faith, His persuasion, pístis, which comes by Word and his power, the same power that raised Christ from the dead operates within us to establish us and give us dominion.
"so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,"15
Peters writes we grow in Grace and in the knowledge of the Lord.16 It is this growth that occurs in the good soil.17 Paul writes that such power comes in the understanding or knowledge of the dimensions of the Love of Christ. It is through the testing of our faith, through trials that the children of God are established. It is in our weakness that his power is perfected in us.18 Such is so we do not boast in our own wisdom, knowledge, and strength.
"so that your faith would not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."19
Why is God's Grace sufficient for us? so that the power of Christ would rest on us, "for My power is perfected in weakness." Now, this power is being displayed in "earthen vessels, that the surpassing power might be of God and not from us."20 Such power is perfected in weakness and proclaims the glory of God. "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me."
"To know him and the power of the resurrection of him and the fellowship of the sufferings of him, being conformed to the death of him, if by any means I attain the resurrection from out of the dead."21
Same Power
This word for empowered, endunamoó, "power, ability" (from en "in," and dynamóō, "sharing power-ability") – properly, to impart ability (make able); empowered. We are imparted this power or ability in Christ, it is this power that gives one dominion or power to rule over sin. This word for dominion, kratei, it is from a root meaning "to perfect, complete." This ruling over sin is not under law but "in the dominion of the strength of him" or the ability or power he gives. We must be empowered by Christ to have dominion thus power over sin.
"with all power, filled with power according to the glorious dominion of him..."2
Dominion is a difficult word to express in English words, many have attempted to convey its meaning with words like strength, power, might... often in translations these words are used so interchangeably they confuse the understanding of the meaning. It helps understanding by examining a verse with most of these words; "What is the surpassing greatness of the power (dynameōs) of him toward us believing, according to the working (energeian) of the dominion (kratous) of the strength (ischyos) of him."3
"Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the Law..."4
We see dominion comes through the working of power in His strength. As we decrease He increases. Or put another way, "in our weakness his power is being perfected." Dominion does not come through rules and regulations of "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?5 But through the reign of Christ. I believe most Christians do not have dominion. Maybe it is because most do not understand grace nor baptism fully, "if you have died with Christ away from principles of the world, why do you submit to decrees as if living in the world?"6 This word for decree, dogmatizó, "subject to regulations, decrees." Men will not reign over sin by dogma.
"sin you will not rule over, indeed, not under the law but under grace"7
This word for "rule over" kyrieusei, "have authority, rule over" (from kurios; lord, master) properly to rule over as an owner with full dominion. Just as we can attempt to rule over sin by rules and regulations, we can apply an earthly authority subjecting men to obedience to ordinances and rules in an attempt to rule over sin. But such is of little value as Paul writes, training for godliness is needed.8 We have dominion over sin not through fleshly attempts to "rule over" sin, which can be through fear, condemnation, guilt, shame, worldly sorrow... but under the abundance of Grace, righteousness in Christ, and the dominion of Christ, our Lord, King, and Master.
"If indeed, by the one trespass death reigned by the one, how much more through the abundance of Grace and the gift of righteousness receiving, one will reign by the One Jesus Christ."9
This word for reign is basileus, "king, ruler" it is a reign, or foundation of power. In the old covenant such a foundation was in the earthly reign of kings, rulers, and in decrees. In the new covenant reign is not by the flesh nor by the Law but by Grace and Truth, it is this dominion we have in Christ, transformed by the power of Spirit and Truth. Now, Christ through His death destroyed the dominion over death which the devil had.10 And by the blood of the Lamb, and the testimony of the witnesses who cared not for their lives, the ruler of this world was cast out.11
"For what the Law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous standard of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."12
Sin reigned in death. In the old covenant the Law was to produce obedience, or the ability to rule over sin, but sin took opportunity through the flesh, to abound in decrees, rules, and regulations.14 The power of sin is the law.15 "however, now we have been released from the law, having died to that which bound us, in order to serve in the newness of Spirit and not in the letter of the Law."16 The reign over sin comes through grace and truth, "For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."17
"just as sin reigned in death, so also grace reigns on account of righteousness, to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."18
Grace reigns in Christ. It is by grace we are saved, nonetheless through faith in Christ, but it is by Grace.19 Grace reigns on account of the righteousness of Christ that was given to us, "through the abundance of Grace and the gift of righteousness receiving will reign by the One Jesus Christ." Not our own righteousness nor works, "so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life."14 This reign comes not through fear but love, the perfect love of God casts out the fear of death, its reign, its power.12
"Therefore, my son, be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus."16
Strength in Grace. This word for "be strong" is endynamóō the same word used in "Finally, be empowered (endunamoó) in the Lord..." Christ came to set us free, we who were subject to fear and death; slavery.9 It was by the good pleasure of his will, in God's infinite wisdom, to show the surpassing riches of His Grace in his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.15 We see the new birth and the transformation, both being established by grace and truth, by the Word and Spirit of God.
"But when the kindness and benevolence of God appeared, by our Savior, not by works of righteousness practiced but according to his mercy he saved us through washing of new birth and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Christ Jesus the savior of us, that having been justified by Grace, heirs we should become according to the hope of life."19
"The one having saved us and called us, a call holy, not according to works of us, but according to His own purpose and Grace given us in Christ Jesus, before the time eternal."17 This word for call, means "summons, invite, name" he called us Holy by name, not based upon works but for His purpose and Grace. Established by the gospel. Paul writes, Christ is able to establish you in "my gospel," he mentions others teach another gospel, as if there was one, they teach establishment in dogma.
"to him able to establish you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery in times of ages kept hidden."18
This word for establish means to fix, firmly, set fast, i.e. (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm -- fix, (e-)stablish, stedfastly set, strengthen. Christ establishes us, turns us. It is incorrect to say an unbeliever must turn from sin as they have no power to do so, they must be "born again" or established "by Grace through faith..." in justification, redemption, the forgiveness of sins. It is also incorrect to say a new believer will have outward dominion right away, there is soul transformation.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.”16
This word for power, dunamis, means "having ability." It is not conjured up, not established through earthly rules nor rulers, but provided to those who abide in Christ. It is the same power as "the surpassing greatness of the power of him toward us believing, according to the working of the dominion of the strength of him." He gives us this ability and His power is perfected in weakness, when we trust in him. Obedience can not be acheived without the establishment of trust.
"Be vigilant, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."6
This word for "be strong" is krataiousthe, from kratos, "attain mastery" to have dominion over. Acting like a man is to be brave, as a full-grown, mature man; but not in the strength of a physical man, though the inward portrays outward, but "empowered in the Lord and in the ability of the strength of him." Dominion operates by the Lord's in working faith, His persuasion, pístis, which comes by Word and his power, the same power that raised Christ from the dead operates within us to establish us and give us dominion.
"so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,"15
Peters writes we grow in Grace and in the knowledge of the Lord.16 It is this growth that occurs in the good soil.17 Paul writes that such power comes in the understanding or knowledge of the dimensions of the Love of Christ. It is through the testing of our faith, through trials that the children of God are established. It is in our weakness that his power is perfected in us.18 Such is so we do not boast in our own wisdom, knowledge, and strength.
"so that your faith would not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."19
Why is God's Grace sufficient for us? so that the power of Christ would rest on us, "for My power is perfected in weakness." Now, this power is being displayed in "earthen vessels, that the surpassing power might be of God and not from us."20 Such power is perfected in weakness and proclaims the glory of God. "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me."
"To know him and the power of the resurrection of him and the fellowship of the sufferings of him, being conformed to the death of him, if by any means I attain the resurrection from out of the dead."21
Same Power