Quick Definition
working, activity
Strong's Definition
efficiency ("energy")
Derivation: from G1756 (ἐνεργής);
KJV Usage: operation, strong, (effectual) working
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἐνέργεια, ἐνεργείας, ἡ (ἐνεργής, which see), working, efficiency; in the N. T. used only of superhuman power, whether of God or of the devil; of God: Eph_3:7; Col_2:12; ἡ ἐνέργεια ἡ ἐνεργουμένη, Col_1:29; with a relative intervening, ἐνεργεῖν ἐνέργειαν, Eph_1:19 f; κατ' ἐνέργειαν ἐν μέτρῳ ἑνός ἑκάστου μέρους, according to the working which agrees with the measure of (is commensurate with) every single part, Eph_4:16; κατά τήν ἐνέργειαν τοῦ δύνασθαι αὐτόν κτλ. according to the efficiency by which he is able to subject all things to himself, Php_3:21. ἐνέργεια τοῦ Σατανᾶ, 2Th_2:9; πλάνης, the power with which error works, 2Th_2:11. (Wis_7:17, etc.; 2Ma_3:29; τῆς προνοίας, 3Ma_4:21; not found in the Sept.; in the classics first in Aristotle; (on ἐνέργεια, ἐνεργεῖν, of diabolic influences, cf. Müller on the Epistle of Barnabas 19, 6 [ET]).) (Synonym: see δύναμις, at the end.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἐνέργεια energeia 8x
energy, efficacy, power, Php_3:21 ; Col_2:12 ;
active energy, operation, Eph_1:19 ; Eph_3:7 ; Eph_4:16 ; Col_1:29 ; 2Th_2:9 ; 2Th_2:11
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
** ἐνέργεια , -ας , ἡ
( < ἐνεργής ),
[in LXX : Wis_7:17 ; Wis_7:26 ; Wis_13:4 ; Wis_18:22 , 2Ma_3:29 , 3Ma_4:21 ; 3Ma_5:12 ; 3Ma_5:28 * ;]
operative power (as distinct from δύναμις , potential power), working: of God, Eph_1:19 ; Eph_3:7 ; Eph_4:16 , Php_3:21 , Col_1:29 ; Col_2:12 ; of Satan, 2Th_2:9 ; 2Th_2:11 ( cf. M , Th ., l.c .; AR , Eph., 241 ff .; Cremer , 261).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἐνέργεια [page 214]
With the limitation of this word in the NT to superhuman activity (see Milligan Thess. p. 104), cf. OGIS 262 .4 (iii/A.D.) προσενεχθέντος μοι περὶ τῆς ἐνεργείας θεοῦ Διὸς Βαιτοκαίκης : also Aristeas 266 θεοῦ δὲ ἐνεργείᾳ κατευθύνεται πειθώ , and for demonic influence (as in 2Th_2:9 ) Reitzenstein Poimandres , P. 352 .23 δαίμονος γὰρ οὐσία ἐνέργεια . The generally strong sense of the word comes out in a fragmentary letter from Cronion, a προφήτης , P Tebt II. 616 (ii/A.D.) ἐκ̣ π̣[άσης ?] ἐνεργίας καὶ σπονδῆς καὶ φιλείας .
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
ἐνέργεια ἐνέργεια, ἡ, [Etym: from ἐνεργής] "action, operation, energy", Arist.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ἐνέργεια, -ας, ἡ
(ἐνεργής), [in LXX: Wis.7:17, 26 13:4 18:22, 2Ma.3:29, 3Ma.4:21 3Mac 5:12 3Mac 5:28 * ;]
operative power (as distinct from δύναμις, potential power), working: of God, Eph.1:19 3:7 4:16, Php.3:21, Col.1:29 2:12; of Satan, 2Th.2:9 2:11 (cf. M, Th., l.with; AR, Eph., 241 ff.; Cremer, 261).†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Power (1753) energeia
Power (1753) (energeia from en = in + érgon = work) describes working, efficiency or active, effective power and is exclusively a Pauline word used only to describe superhuman power, whether of God or of the devil; of God. Energeia is found in the classic Greek writings first in Aristotle describing diabolic influences. And so in In Hellenism, as in Philo, the word group energeia/energeo (noun/verb) is used of cosmic or physical forces at work in man or the world around.
New American Commentary notes that in this verse energeia
stresses the inner strength supplied by the Lord. The Greek text actually reads with a double emphasis: “struggling according to his energy which energizes me in power.” Two different words for power are used, and the interpretation above attempts to capture the spirit of the Greek expression.
Energeia - 8x in 8v - Eph 1:19; 3:7; 4:16; Phil 3:21; Col 1:29; 2:12; 2 Thess 2:9, 11 NAS = activity, 1; exertion, 1; influence, 1; working, 4. The KJV translates the word with a slightly different flavor - effectual working, 2; operation, 1; strong, 1; working, 4.
Energeia is not used in the Septuagint (not counting the Apocrypha where there are 8 uses).
Energeia is found in the classic Greek writings first in Aristotle describing diabolic influences. And so in In Hellenism, as in Philo, the word group energeia/energeo (noun/verb) is used of cosmic or physical forces at work in man or the world around.
Energeia, for example, is describes God’s power in raising Christ, Paul instructing the Colossian saints that they have
been buried with Him (Christ) in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the (supernatural) working (energeia) of God, Who raised Him from the dead (Col 2:12- note).
In Php 3:21 (note) our Lord Jesus Christ
will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the (supernatural) exertion (energeia) of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
Energeia describes Satan's supernatural power Paul recording that the "Antichrist" or "lawless one"
is the one whose coming is in accord with the (supernatural) activity (energeia) of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved." (2Thes 2:9, 10)
The other uses of energeia in the NT are found in:
Ephesians 1:19 (note) and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might." In context energeia here speaks of the energy put forth or effectual power of God that was active in the resurrection of Christ.
Ephesians 3:7 (note) of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.
Ephesians 4:16 (note)
from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
2 Thessalonians 2:9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders...11 And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false,
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