Understanding δύναμαι (dunamai) Strong’s G1410: The Divine Power That Makes All Things Possible Through God

Pronunciation Guide: doo’-nam-ahee (with emphasis on the first syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1410: The Greek verb δύναμαι (dunamai) fundamentally means “to be able, to have power or capacity by virtue of inherent ability and resources.” It expresses the concept of having the capability, strength, or authority to accomplish something. In biblical usage, it often indicates possibility, ability, or power that comes either from one’s own capacity or from divine enablement.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb (deponent middle/passive)
• Root: Related to δύναμις (dunamis, “power, strength, ability”)
• Language Origin: Ancient Greek
• Primary Usage: Found extensively in narrative accounts, theological arguments, and teaching passages
• Voice: Middle/passive deponent (has passive form but active meaning)
• Tense-Aspect: Appears in present, imperfect, future, aorist, and perfect forms

δύναμαι Morphology:

• δύναμαι (present indicative, 1st person singular) – I am able
• δύνασαι (present indicative, 2nd person singular) – you are able
• δύναται (present indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it is able
• δυνάμεθα (present indicative, 1st person plural) – we are able
• δύνασθε (present indicative, 2nd person plural) – you (plural) are able
• δύνανται (present indicative, 3rd person plural) – they are able
• ἐδυνάμην (imperfect indicative) – I was able
• δυνήσομαι (future indicative) – I will be able
• ἠδυνήθην/ἐδυνήθην (aorist indicative) – I was able (single point in time)
• δύνωμαι (present subjunctive) – I might be able

Origin & History

The verb δύναμαι has deep roots in classical Greek literature, appearing in the works of Homer, Herodotus, Plato, and other prominent Greek authors. In Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey,” it often describes the physical capacity or capability of heroes to accomplish great feats. In Plato’s philosophical writings, the term expanded to include intellectual and moral capacities.

In the Septuagint (LXX), δύναμαι translates several Hebrew terms related to ability and power, particularly יָכֹל (yakol, “to be able”) and כֹּחַ (koach, “strength, power”). This transition from classical to biblical Greek maintained the core sense of capability while often adding theological dimensions related to divine empowerment. The early Church Fathers, including Clement of Alexandria in his “Stromata” and Origen in “Against Celsus,” further developed this concept to emphasize the believer’s ability through divine grace rather than mere human capacity.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Physical Ability: The capacity to accomplish something through one’s own strength or resources
• Moral Capability: The ethical power to choose or act in accordance with right principles
• Divine Enablement: The God-given ability to accomplish what would otherwise be impossible
• Authority: The rightful power or permission to act in specific circumstances
• Possibility: The potential for something to occur or be accomplished

δύναμαι Translation Options:

• “To be able” – The most common translation, emphasizing capability (Matthew 3:9)
• “To have power” – Highlighting the strength aspect of ability (Mark 1:40)
• “To be possible” – Focusing on potential rather than active ability (Matthew 19:26)
• “To be capable” – Emphasizing the inherent quality that enables action (Luke 1:20)
• “To be strong enough” – Conveying the sufficiency of strength for a task (Acts 15:10)

Biblical Usage

The verb δύναμαι appears 210 times in the New Testament, spanning all major literary genres and authors. It is particularly prominent in the Gospels and Pauline epistles. In the Gospels, it often appears in statements about what God can do (as in Matthew 3:9, where John the Baptist declares that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from stones) or in contexts of healing, where Yeshua (Jesus) asks if individuals believe He is able to heal them (Matthew 9:28).

In Paul’s letters, δύναμαι frequently relates to spiritual ability or inability. For example, in Romans 8:8, those in the flesh “cannot” (οὐ δύνανται) please God, while in Philippians 4:13, Paul declares he “can do” (δύναμαι) all things through the Messiah who strengthens him. This contrast highlights the theological tension between human inability and divine enablement that runs throughout the biblical narrative.

• “[God] is able [δύναται] to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” Matthew 3:9
• “And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.’ But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could [δύνασθαι] no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.” Mark 1:42-45
• “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible [δυνατά, from the related adjective δυνατός].” Matthew 19:26
• “I can do [δύναμαι] all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
• “Those who are in the flesh cannot [οὐ δύνανται] please God.” Romans 8:8
• “No one can [δύναται] come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” John 6:44
• “Now to him who is able [δυναμένῳ] to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Greek world, ability (δύναμαι) was highly connected to social status and divine favor. The concept of “dynamism” – personal power and influence – was central to Greek thought, where one’s ability to act effectively in society demonstrated one’s worth. This cultural background illuminates why the early Christians’ claims about divine enablement were so radical; they suggested that God’s power worked most effectively through those considered weak by societal standards.

The Jewish cultural context adds another dimension to understanding δύναμαι. In rabbinic thought, the phrase “יכול לעשות” (yakol la’asot, “able to do”) often had legal connotations regarding what was permissible under Torah. When Yeshua spoke about God’s ability using δύναμαι, He was not only describing raw power but also divine authority that transcended human limitations and religious restrictions. This connects to the Jewish concept of “גבורה” (gevurah, “strength/might”), one of the sefirot or divine attributes in Jewish mystical tradition, representing God’s power and judgment tempered by mercy.

Theological Significance

The theological implications of δύναμαι in Scripture reveal profound truths about God’s character and human dependence. When applied to God, δύναμαι demonstrates His omnipotence – the unlimited ability to accomplish His purposes regardless of obstacles or opposition. “Is anything too difficult for יהוה (Yahweh)?” asks Genesis 18:14, a sentiment echoed in the New Testament through the use of δύναμαι and its cognates.

The counterpoint to divine ability is human inability, particularly in spiritual matters. Scripture consistently uses οὐ δύναμαι (“not able”) to describe humanity’s spiritual impotence apart from God’s grace. This creates a beautiful theological tension: what humans cannot accomplish through their own ability, God accomplishes through His power working in them. This theme reaches its apex in the person and work of Yeshua the Messiah, who both demonstrates God’s power and imparts it to believers through the Holy Spirit. The resurrection represents the ultimate manifestation of God’s δύναμις, proving that He is truly able (δύναται) to overcome humanity’s greatest enemy – death itself.

Personal Application

Understanding the true meaning of δύναμαι invites us to honestly assess both our limitations and the unlimited power available through God. When we face situations that exceed our abilities – whether physical challenges, emotional burdens, or spiritual battles – we can embrace the liberating truth that our God specializes in demonstrating His power through our weakness. As Paul testifies in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, God’s power (δύναμις) is made perfect in weakness.

In practical terms, this means approaching each day with humble dependence rather than self-reliance. It means praying not only for divine intervention in impossible situations but also for divine enablement in daily responsibilities. When we recognize that even our ability to serve God comes from Him rather than ourselves, we are freed from both pride in success and despair in failure. The question becomes not “Am I able?” but rather “Is God able through me?” – to which Scripture resoundingly answers yes.

Related Words

• δύναμις (dunamis, “power, might, strength, ability”) – The noun form, referring to inherent power or ability, often describing miraculous power or divine strength. While δύναμαι focuses on the capacity to act, δύναμις emphasizes the power itself. See G1411
• ἐξουσία (exousia, eks-oo-SEE-ah, “authority, right, permission”) – Refers to the rightful authority or jurisdiction to exercise power, whereas δύναμαι describes the inherent ability to do something regardless of permission. See G1849
• ἰσχύω (ischyō, is-KHU-oh, “to be strong, to prevail”) – Emphasizes physical strength and force, while δύναμαι is broader, encompassing various types of ability including mental and spiritual. See G2480
• ἐνδυναμόω (endunamoō, en-doo-nam-AH-oh, “to strengthen, empower”) – A compound verb derived from the same root as δύναμαι, specifically meaning “to make strong, to empower.” It focuses on the process of strengthening rather than the state of being able. See G1743
• ἀδύνατος (adynatos, ah-DU-na-tos, “impossible, unable”) – The negative form, adding the alpha privative (ἀ-) to the adjective form of δύναμαι (δυνατός), meaning “without power” or “impossible.” See G102

Did You Know?

• The English word “dynamite” derives from the same Greek root as δύναμαι. Invented by Alfred Nobel in 1867, its name was chosen precisely because of its explosive power. This etymological connection reminds us that the biblical concept of δύναμαι isn’t just about gentle ability but can refer to revolutionary, world-changing power – the same kind that raised Yeshua from the dead and transforms believers’ lives.
• In modern Greek, the phrase “Δεν μπορώ” (den boró, “I cannot”) evolved from the ancient “οὐ δύναμαι” (ou dunamai). While the form has changed significantly, the concept remains central to Greek expression. This linguistic continuity across millennia demonstrates the fundamental importance of expressing ability and inability in human communication.
• The concept of δύναμαι played a crucial role in early Christian apologetics against Gnosticism. While Gnostic teachings emphasized secret knowledge (γνῶσις, gnosis) as the path to salvation, orthodox Christians emphasized God’s power (δύναμις) made accessible through faith. Church fathers like Irenaeus argued that true spiritual ability came not through esoteric knowledge but through relationship with the God who is supremely able.

Remember This

δύναμαι reminds us that our human limitations are never the final word; they are simply the canvas upon which God displays His limitless power, turning “I cannot” into “He can through me” for those who trust in Him.