this is the word of the Lord... not by human might nor strength, but by my Spirit (Zechariah 4:6)
Paul writes when we believed we received the Promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). God promised to the "children of the promise" not according to the flesh that they would not see corruption, that he would put his Spirit within. As spiritual new creations we can then have power to do the spiritual things of God. Not under the Law are we lead by the Spirit, for that would be from works and our strength, thus under grace will we rule, as grace is sufficient for God's power to perfect and mature us into Christ. Through God's power are we empowered to live a godly life.
in order that according to his glory, he grants you ruling power through his Spirit in your inner being (Ephesians 3:16)
When we heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation and believed we received the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). Also in Ephesians 1 Paul prays that we would have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ to know the power that is available to us as believers. Now, here in Ephesians 3 he is praying for God to give us ruling power through his Spirit in our inner being. This foundational to us receiving more from God and growing into maturity, along with being rooted and founded in love and faith.
rather therefore not on human will nor exertion but God's mercy (Romans 9:16)
The word exertion τρέχω (trechō) means "to run," exerting oneself to make progress like a Olympic athlete would advance speedily in a race. It conveys intense desire to get to the goal as quickly as possible and was used of "runners in a race, of swiftness or of effort to attain an end." Not by human might or strength do we run. Paul writes "I press on if also to lay hold of to the extent also Christ Jesus has laid hold of me" (Philippians 3:11-12). We are to run the race to laid hold of life and godliness but not through human exertion. "Not by human might nor strength, but by my Spirit."
God was rich in mercy through his great love though we were dead in our trespasses he made us alive in Christ and raised us and seated us in the heavenlies in Christ (Ephesians 2:5). Spiritually, I am raised and seated in the heavenlies. This is who I am as a child of God. If we could but grasp this ruling power and laid hold of it, that God would give us this power in our inner being where the Spirit resides, and but know how I am known seated in the heavenlies, seated with Christ, who was raised and ascended on high, above every name, every power, and ruling authority. Then "not by human might nor strength, but by my Spirit" would make more sense.
therefore not in human will nor exertion but God's mercy (Romans 9:16)
All that we receive is from God, it is a gift, so that we do not boast in ourselves (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31). God must grant us ruling power though the Spirit in our inner man, we must be founded here so that we have strength to lay hold of something greater so to be filled to the fullness of God. It is by God's mercy that gives us this ruling power. Not by human exertion but by his mercy.
shall any say this is injustice on God's part? No, for he says to Moses 'mercy to whom merciful and favored [in grace] to whom favored' (Romans 9:14-15)
Through God's mercy and his grace he grants us the ruling power in our inner man, thus it is not by my will nor strength but by his power. God raised up Pharoah so that he might display his power in him so that his name might be proclaimed. So he hardens whom he hardens and has mercy to whomever he wills. He does so that men do not boast in their strength nor might. The potter has the authority to do whatever he wills to the clay. So then great are the promises to the elect to whom he makes known the riches of His glory to the extent the ones who are the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared beforehand to the extent of His glory, even us whom he calls... (Romans 9:14-24).
Great is He who has begun a good work in you, he will bring it to completion.* If he has chosen you to the extent to be receivers of his grace and mercy then he has predestined you through the adoption of his Holy Spirit, and if predestined, called, and if called, justified, and if justified he will bring it to completion, the glorification, so he works all things for those called according to his purpose, to be conformed to the image of His Son.
now to the ones called both Jews and Greeks, Christ is power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24)
God chooses the things what the world seems foolish to shame the wise and chooses the weak of the world to shame the strong and God chooses what the world seems insignificant and contemptible that existing as nothing so to render useless that existing [of the world, of human will, strength, might, power] "so all do not boast in the presence of God. Now, you are in Him in Christ Jesus who became for us wisdom from God, and these righteousness and sanctification and redemption so that just as written 'let no one boast, but boast in the Lord' (1 Corinthians 1:24-31).
this is the word of the Lord... not by human might nor strength, but by my Spirit (Zechariah 4:6)
By His Spirit he will bring it to completion, he is powerful to do far above anything we can ask or imagine according to the power working in us. Has he not raised you up and seated you in the heavenlies, put his Spirit within you, has he not given you of his honorable and effective promises? Therefore wait upon the Lord, seek him, it is by his mercy and grace that he grants you according to His glory to have ruling power in your inner man by his Spirit, then you will gain strength, you will run and not be weary, walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31). "Not by human might nor strength, but by my Spirit." To him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to the extent all generations, that forever and ever amen!