More Than Enough

From my morning reading


exceeding greatness

Preachers talk much about God's greatness, but just how great is He? There are some Greek words that provide us with a glimpse. There are actually several such words in one single verse, Ephesians 1:19 : the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.

Greatness translates megethos, which appears only here in the NT, and means strong or great. This obviously wasn't good enough for Paul, so he adds huperballo (exceeding), which is a compound word from huper (over, above, or beyond), and ballo (to put or cast). The literal meaning, then, is to throw beyond the usual mark, so metaphorically, to excel or surpass. The full idea of the expression huperballon megethos, therefore, is a power that is beyond measure, super abounding or surpassing power, power that is more than enough.

One Greek authority makes this comment: "The word megethos is found only here in the NT. Such Pauline hapax legomena (words used only once) again reflect the outreach of the great apostle's mind in seeking to describe the wonders of divine redemption. One can almost see words stretching at their seams as Paul tries to pour more meaning into them."

Also notice that Paul doesn't include what God's power exceeds. The obvious implication is that it exceeds everything. What a thought! The God who not only spoke the universe into existence, but who raised Christ from the dead and who put all things under [Christ's] feet, and gave him to be the head over all things ( Eph. 1:22 ) has power that is far beyond any possibility of measuring. What instrument could exist that could do so? Paul simply could not say enough about the greatness and majesty of God, and as exact a language as Greek is, he still had difficulty even finding words to express his thoughts.

From A Word for the Day:
Key Words from the New Testament.

This is a very encouraging word. God is not stingy with His power to help me. He doesn’t tell me to pull myself up by my bootstraps. He wants to help beyond what I can imagine and that power is more than enough.

Thank you Lord for the incredible gift You have given to me.

Philip