Power of Resurrection

One of the things Paul wanted to know was "the power of His resurrection" (Php 3:10). He didn't say he wanted to know just about the resurrection itself but was interested in the "power" of it. It was "the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead" (Ro 8:11). "God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power" (1Co 6:14). Also, the power of the resurrection has ramifications. According to the concordance, the Greek word for it is dunamis, meaning a violent, strong force or mighty work. It is derived from dunamai meaning the ability or possibility of exerting it is available. In terms of the resurrection the "'dead are raised up'" (Mt 11:5). The concordance cites it with the Greek word egeiro saying it is as one who is in a sitting or lying position being woken from sleep, disease or death. It is to lift, raise, or stand up from obscurity or non-existence. "The Scripture says to Pharaoh, 'For this purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you'" (Ro 9:17).

"By a man also came resurrection from the dead" (1Co 15:21). "Then comes the end . . . when He has abolished all authority and power" (:24). These two words must be distinguished. "He who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will . . . has decided this in his own heart" (1Co 7:37 NASB). Another translation instead says he "has power" (:37 KJV). Power is the actual strength or force. The concordance defines authority with the Greek word exousia meaning the privilege, capacity, or jurisdiction to do something. "There is no authority except from God" (Ro 13:1). "Does not the potter have a right over the clay" (Ro 9:21 NASB). The KJV says rather that he has "the power" (:21). Paul had authority to carry out his responsibilities. "If others share the right over you, do we not more?" (1Co 9:12). There is what "Christ has accomplished through [Paul] in the power of signs and wonders" (Ro 15:18). "Others share the right" (1Co 9:12) to make a "living from the gospel" (:14). But Paul said "we did not use this right" (:12) because he did "offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel" (:18).