The Way of The Word
Dec 4, 2024
The joy of the Lord is your strength
In this study we cover the word “strength”. In the ancient Greek and Hebrew cultures, "strength" is often associated with the divine and encompasses both physical power and moral courage.
While secular Greek mythology attributes strength to gods like Zeus and Heracles, in Hebrew scripture, God's strength is a recurring theme, representing divine might and moral authority, often emphasized in the context of salvation and justice.
For example, the phrase "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10 NASB 1995) indicates that true strength is derived from spiritual assurance and community faith. In contrast, Greek culture tends to celebrate strength as an inherent personal trait that can be developed through philosophical education and physical training (Bostock, 2002).
Throughout scripture we find countless examples of God’s people asking for and receiving strength from God in hard, often life-threatening, times, including King David and the Paul, the apostle. For example, In Psalm 28:7 (NASB 1995), David expresses his personal experience of relying on God for strength during dark times, saying, "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him." Here, you can see how David’s trust in God’s strength helped him face trials directly.
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him."
In the Old Testament, the word for "strength" often comes from Hebrew words such as “oz” and “gevurah”. The word “oz” suggests a sense of might, power, and ability, often describing God’s own strength or what He grants to His people.
The Hebrew word “gevurah” is also translated to “strength” where the context of the scripture refers to physical strength or might, but it can also extend to notions of heroism and courage. It emphasizes a more dynamic ability for strength, often in the context of courageous acts like in Deuteronomy 31:6 (NASB 1995).
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
In the New Testament, the Greek language gives us another perspective of the word "strength." Words like "ischus," "dunamis," and "kratos" each carry unique meanings. The word "dunamis", as in “dynamite”, suggests explosive power and is often linked to the miracles of Jesus and His followers.
In Acts 1:8 (NASB 1995), Jesus tells His disciples they will receive “dunamis” (“power") from the Holy Spirit. Here He is speaking of the God-given power believers receive to fulfill their mission to spread the gospel to all the earth.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
In Ephesians 3:16 (NASB 1995) Paul expands on the idea of God-given strength when he prays for believers to be strengthened. He uses "dunamis" once again, showing how fundamental this strength is for spiritual growth.
“For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened (“krataiooʹ”) with power (“dunamis”) through His Spirit in the inner man,”
Paul uses both “dunamis” and “ischus” in Ephesians 1:19 (NASB 1995) showing how the two words relate and are also different. Paul wrote, “and what is the surpassing greatness of His power (“dunamis”) toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength (“ischus”) of His might” (Ephesians 1:19 NASB 1995).
“Ischus” is often translated to “strength” in the New Testament when the context discusses situations related to physical might, strength, or power, especially when speaking of the strength and might of God.
The final word for “strength” we will discuss here is “kratos”. “Kratos” denotes power, might, strength, and dominion, often reflecting God's sovereign authority. In the believer's relationship with God, it emphasizes the divine strength and dominion that can be accessed through faith.
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul prays for them to be “…strengthened (“dunamis”) with all power (“dunamooʹ”), according to His glorious might (“kratos”), for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience…” (Colossians 1:11 NASB 1995).
Similarly, in Hebrews 2:14 (NASB 1995), the author employs “kratos” to explain that Jesus, through His sacrificial death, made powerless the authority of death held by the devil: “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14 NASB 1995).
The idea of strength in the Bible is rich and multi-faceted. From physical might to spiritual resilience, these ancient texts remind us that true strength comes from God and that God surrounds us, protects us, and offers us, His strength. Whether faced with external challenges or internal struggles, we can draw from this promise of His unmatched limitless strength.
Word Study Challenge:
Think of three times recently when you needed strength. Which of the words for “strength” in this study did you need? Find scriptures not mentioned here that speak to the kind of strength you needed. Work on memorizing these scriptures to use in the future when you need God’s promise of strength in your life.
Reference List
1. Adiego, I. J., & González, J. (2009). The Influence of Hebrew on Greek Language and Literature. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/37580611/Nicholas_de_Lange_Greek_Influence_on_Hebrew_in_A_F_Christidis_ed_A_History_of_Ancient_Greek_Cambridge_Cambridge_University_Press_2006_805_810_859
2. Bostock, D. (2002). Aristotle's Ethics. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/aristotlesethics0000bost
3. Aristotle. (n.d.). Nicomachean Ethic”. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2012/entries/aristotle-ethics/
4. New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995). Acts. Retrieved from https://biblehub.com/nasb/acts/1.htm
5. New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995). Colossians Retrieved from https://biblehub.com/nasb/colossians/1.htm
6. New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995). Deuteronomy. Retrieved from https://biblehub.com/nasb/deuteronomy/31.htm
7. New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995). Ephesians. Retrieved from https://biblehub.com/nasb/ephesians/1.htm
8. New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995). Ephesians. Retrieved from https://biblehub.com/nasb/ephesians/3.htm
9. New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995). Hebrews. Retrieved from https://biblehub.com/nasb/Hebrews/2.htm
10. New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995). Nehemiah. Retrieved from https://biblehub.com/nasb/nehemiah/8.htm
11. New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995). Psalms. Retrieved from https://biblehub.com/nasb/psalm/28.htm