Power of Heaven: Tapping into God’s Supernatural Energy for Healing from Ancient Greek
There are three Greek words translated as “power” in the New Testament.
The summary below deals with energeo, which is the active flow of God’s healing power out through our hands as we lay them on the sick.
Light flashes from his [and our] hand, there where his power is hidden (Hab. 3:4 GNT).
Chart of Exousia, Dunamis, Energeo
The Greek word energeo defined by Bible dictionaries:
Kittle Theological Dictionary of the New Testament: active energy, to be at work.
Robinson’s Word Pictures: to energize, God is the energizer of the universe.
Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: to put forth power, to work for one, to aid one, to effect.
A working definition of energeo: the power of God is available through the Holy Spirit and experienced as active, flowing energy that accomplishes God’s works. We feel energized by it. It feels like active energy.
All Uses of Energeo and Its Various Forms
We know it is the release of God’s power that brings healing and deliverance. We want to understand this power as well as we possibly can.
Our passionate question is: “What does the release of God’s divine energy (energeo) feel like, and what does it accomplish?” We want to gain an understanding of how God uses the word energeo. Below are listed every time energeo, or the various forms of this word, appears in the Bible.
The Greek words researched:
G1754 (ἐνεργέω) energeo: total KJV occurrences: 25
G1756 (ἐνεργής) energes: total KJV occurrences: 3
G1755 (ἐνέργημα) energema: total KJV occurrences: 2
G1753 (ἐνέργεια) energeia: total KJV occurrences: 10
I have inserted the word energizes into every verse where energeo (or its forms) was used, just to see how the verse would read with this key basic definition inserted. You may ponder this as you read and see how you feel the word energizes describes the meaning of energeo within each of the verses (from NASB95) below.
A summary of energeo is available on our website. The summary also contains precise Greek dictionary definitions of energeo. Kittle Theological Dictionary of the New Testament defines energeo as “active energy” which, I agree, is what it feels like in me and through me as I lay my hands on people for healing. “Active energy” is my favorite definition.
1. The power of God (dunamis) when flowing as active energy (energeo) can cast out demons and heal the sick.
And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them. And King Herod heard of it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers [dunamis] are at work [energizing] in Him” (Mk. 6:13-14).
This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers [dunamis] are at work [energizing] in him (Matt. 14:2).
2. Sinful passions can energize us, producing sinful actions leading us to death. So, if this energy is spirit energy, it can flow from the Holy Spirit or my corrupted spirit or from demon spirits. Perhaps energes means “active spirit energy,” regardless of the source.
For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work [energizing] in the members of our body to bear fruit for death (Rom. 7:5).
In which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power [exousia] of the air, of the spirit that is now working [energizes] in the sons of disobedience (Eph. 2:2).
Hearing God’s Voice for Healing
Mark & Patti Virkler
3. God’s energizing underlies all Christians. Your passions, desires, and giftings come from the Lord. The word “effects” in the above verse is another form of the word energeo. So, the Spirit’s energizing from within produces different results in each of us.
There are varieties of effects [energizes], but the same God who works [energizes] all things in all persons (1 Cor. 12:6). An interesting side note:
Gifts come from the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4).
Ministries are from the Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 12:5).
Energizing comes from the Father (1 Cor. 12:6).
God is the author of all energizing, and the Holy Spirit administers various specific gifts to individuals, and Jesus forms these gifts into minis- tries within the Church and to the world. Neat!
4. The energizing by the Spirit produces miracles. So, as I minister God’s grace for miracles, I need to honor the Holy Spirit by inviting Him, His presence, and His power to be manifest and flowing, and then be sensitive to His flow of energy by noting such things as tingling or warmth in my hands, and pictures of light flowing into a person driving out darkness, etc.
To another the effecting [energizing] of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues (1 Cor. 12:10).
5. The energy of the Holy Spirit is what distributes the manifestation of the Holy Spirit to each Christian. So, we each have divine in-working energizing which we should honor and follow. In doing so, your life is fulfilling and prosperous. Copying someone else’s giftings will not produce joy, peace, contentment, or effective ministry. Follow the leadings, giftings, and passions of your heart. They are placed there by the Holy Spirit.
But one and the same Spirit works [energizes] all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills (1 Cor. 12:11).
6. It is the energy of God that makes our ministry and service to others effective. So, ask God to open doors. Know there will be obstacles and opposition, but that is all part of the process. Draw upon the strength of the Lord, not your abilities, as you serve.
A wide door for effective [energizing] service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries (1 Cor. 16:9).
7. Our testimony and demonstration of the overcoming power of Christ’s life within us during our trying times can inspire others to draw upon God’s divine energy within when they face similar trials.
If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective [energizing] in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer (Cor. 1:6).
8. When death is energizing us, we draw upon God’s zoe life, and our testimony of His saving grace brings life to the hearer as we share our testimony. Our lives and our testimonies contain life for others. So, stand tall and strong in the strength of the Lord, knowing others are being blessed as they watch you. Know your shared testimony is to glorify God and thus strengthen others.
For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works [energizes] in us, but life in you (2 Cor. 4:11-12).
9. Energeo occurs twice in this verse. Peter was energized by God to be an apostle to the Jews. Paul was energized by God to be an apostle to the Gentiles. We each have specific energizing (passions, anointings, and gifts) by God for specific callings. Honor them. Do not mimic others’ lives.
But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who effectually [energized] worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually [energized] worked for me also to the Gentiles) (Gal. 2:7-8).
10. The energizing release of power for a miracle is not a result of me doing enough stuff right (keeping enough rules) but a hearing of God’s rhema word, coupled with faith to step forth and see a miracle. Abraham, the Father of Faith, heard God’s rhema word and saw God’s promise fulfilled in a vision, and it resulted in faith erupting in his heart (Gen. 12:1- 3; 15:5-6).
So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works [energizes] miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? (Gal. 3:5)
11. Faith is energized by love/compassion, and vice versa; love energizes faith. Jesus, moved by compassion, healed (Matt. 14:14). Faith and love are two of God’s abiding realities (1 Cor. 13:13). There probably will not be a healing ministry if compassion is not present.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working [energized] through love (Gal. 5:6).
12. God’s energy causes all things to be worked together for good. That is why we can live in faith, hope, and love (1 Cor. 13:13).
We have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works [energizes] all things after the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11).
13. God energized Jesus, bringing Him forth from the dead. We, too, can raise the dead as this power (dunamis) of God is available to believers and manifests as a release of spiritual energy (energes).
And what is the surpassing greatness of His power [dunamis] toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about [energized] in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:19-20).
14. God’s dunamis is released as active energy which creates the gift of grace through which we minister to others. So, note your gifts, callings, and passions and follow them.
Of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working [energiz- ing] of His power [dunamis] (Eph. 3:7).
15. The power (dunamis) of the Holy Spirit is energizing (energeo) us from within and allows us to do things beyond our wildest imaginations, such as miracles, healings, and even raising the dead. These things are from God.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power [dunamis] that works [energizes] within us (Eph. 3:20).
16. When we operate in the divine gifts God has placed within each of us, and we serve one another with these gifts, we build up and energize the body of Christ. So, find your place and fill it.
From whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working [energizing] of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love (Eph. 4:16).
17. God is energizing us from within to accomplish His good pleasure.
For it is God who is at work [energizes] in you, both to will and to work [energizes] for His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).
18. God’s active energy and power are so great that He can subdue all things to Himself.
Who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion [energizing] of the power [dunamis] that He has even to subject all things to Himself (Phil. 3:21).
19. This verse contains two forms of energeo plus dunamis, and it was easiest to see these using the King James Version of the Bible. As I labor, I choose to draw upon the inner energizing of the Holy Spirit, whose power is working within me. So, it is all about calling upon, sensing, and releasing the in-working energy of the Holy Spirit.
I also labor, striving according to his working [energia, energizing], which worketh [energeo, energizes] in me mightily [dunamis] (Col. 1:29 KJV).
20. Faith in the energizing power of God’s Spirit provides the divine energy to raise the dead and provides a quickening in our hearts and lives as we go through water baptism in faith that a transformation is taking place.
Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working [energizing] of God, who raised Him from the dead (Col. 2:12).
21. The word of God has God’s energy to change us from within if we believe it. Anointed preaching can energize and transform those who believe.
For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work [energizes] in you who believe (1 Thess. 2:13).
22. Demons can energize under the limitations of Almighty God; and although they may have times of expanded activity, they will be consumed ultimately by the power of God at the end of the age.
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work [energize]; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way (2 Thess. 2:7).
That is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity [energizing] of satan, with all power [dunamis] and signs and false wonders (2 Thess. 2:9).
23. If you want to be deceived, God will energize you with a strong delusion. Note: it is those who received a love for the truth who are saved (2 Thess. 2:10). Logic and reasoning will not work with one under a spirit of delusion. Prayer and the anointing of God will be required to set the captive free.
For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence [energizing] so that they will believe what is false (2 Thess. 2:11).
24. We should pray for divine energizing of our words as we share our testimonies of Christ’s work within us. Exploring the New Testament and discovering all that we have within us through Christ will cause an expansion of your faith. So, look up “in Christ” “Christ in us,” and “in whom.”
I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective [energized] through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake (Philemon 1:6).
25. The Bible is anointed and energized by God. It has the power to get down to the real issues—what your heart thinks and believes and intends to do.
For the word [Logos] of God is living and active [energizing], and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12).
26. The Spirit-energized prayer of a righteous man is effective, as it imparts divine energy. Repentance of sins clears the way for the flow of God’s energy and power. So, part of healing prayer will incorporate repentance of sin. Look especially for unforgiveness, anger, and resentment, and repent of these. I have seen deliverance and healing occur immediately when a person repents of these things.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective [energizing] prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (Jas. 5:16).
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