ἐξισχύω

I have strength for, am perfectly able

Definition

ἐξισχύω means to have sufficient strength or ability to accomplish something, often in the face of difficulty. It conveys the idea of being fully capable or strong enough to complete a demanding task. In its single New Testament occurrence in Ephesians 3:18, it is used in a prayer for believers to be 'strengthened with power' to comprehend the vast love of Christ. The prefix ἐξ intensifies the root verb, emphasizing a strength that is fully drawn out or completely adequate for the purpose.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only once in the New Testament, in Ephesians 3:18. It appears in a prayerful context where Paul asks that believers be granted inner spiritual strength. The usage is specifically tied to the supernatural empowerment needed to grasp the profound dimensions of Christ's love, which surpasses ordinary knowledge. The word is employed to describe a divinely provided ability for a spiritual task.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐξ (ek, meaning 'out of' or 'from') combined with the verb ἰσχύω (ischyō, G2480, meaning 'to be strong, have power'). The compound form intensifies the meaning, suggesting strength that is drawn out fully or strength that is thoroughly sufficient. It implies an ability that originates from a source and is completely adequate for its intended end.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it describes the divine empowerment required for spiritual comprehension and maturity. In Ephesians 3:16-19, it is part of Paul's prayer for the church to receive strength from God's Spirit to understand Christ's love—a love that is fundamentally beyond human capacity to fully grasp on our own. Understanding this Greek term enriches Bible reading by highlighting that spiritual insight into God's nature is not achieved by human effort but is granted through God's power working within believers.

In the Greco-Roman world, strength (ἰσχύς) was a valued virtue, often associated with physical power, military might, or personal fortitude. The compound ἐξισχύω, while rare, would have been understood as denoting an exceptional or complete strength. The New Testament application shifts the focus from physical or worldly power to an inner, spiritual empowerment sourced in God, which was a distinctive Christian concept.

δύναμαι (dynamai, G1410) — emphasizes inherent ability or possibility. ἰσχύω (ischyō, G2480) — the root verb, meaning to be strong or have power, but without the intensive prefix. ἐνδυναμόω (endynamoō, G1743) — to empower or make strong, often with a sense of being infused with strength.

Word Details

Scripture References