English · KJV
G1410

δύναμαι

dýnamai /doo'-nam-ahee/ Ask about this word
Rootof uncertain affinity
Meaningto be able or possible
KJV usagebe able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of dýnamai — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word dýnamai, represented by G1410, defines the concept of being able or possible. It appears 214 times across 201 unique verses, highlighting its importance in expressing capacity, potential, and power. The term is used to describe both divine omnipotence and human limitation.

The semantic range of G1410 extends beyond mere physical capability, encompassing moral, legal, and spiritual possibility or impossibility. It often highlights an inherent capacity or its absence, rather than simply the successful execution of an action. For instance, Jesus' question, "Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them?" Matthew 9:15 points to a contextual impossibility rooted in the nature of their relationship with Him. Similarly, the inability of "flesh and blood" to inherit the kingdom of God 1 Corinthians 15:50 speaks to a fundamental ontological barrier, not just a practical one. This nuance underscores that G1410 frequently addresses the very nature or condition that permits or forbids an action or state of being.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G1410 is frequently used to contrast human inability with God's supreme power. Scripture states that without a connection to Christ, a person can do nothing John 15:5. Similarly, one cannot see the kingdom of God unless they are born again John 3:3. In contrast, God is able to do "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" Ephesians 3:20. He is also described as the one who is able to keep believers from falling Jude 1:24 and to destroy both soul and body in hell Matthew 10:28.

G1410 frequently appears in rhetorical questions that challenge human understanding or expose the limits of human agency. Questions like "How can these things be?" John 3:9 or "Who then can be saved?" Matthew 19:25 invite deeper theological reflection on divine intervention and grace. This usage often frames situations where human logic or effort is insufficient, thereby magnifying the need for a higher power. It also describes situations where individuals are physically or circumstantially hindered, such as Zechariah's inability to speak after encountering the angel Luke 1:22, or the disciples' inability to cast out a demon Mark 9:28. These instances consistently underscore the theme of inherent or imposed limitations.

The word highlights the limitations of human perception and belief, as seen when the Jews "could not believe" John 12:39 due to spiritual blindness, or when the world "cannot receive" the Spirit of truth John 14:17. In contrast, G1410 also affirms God's unwavering nature, stating that He "cannot deny himself" 2 Timothy 2:13, establishing a profound truth about His character and faithfulness. Even in practical matters, the inability to "know the certainty for the tumult" Acts 21:34 or to "prove the things whereof they now accuse me" Acts 24:13 illustrates how G1410 captures a broad spectrum of human and divine capacity.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concepts of ability, power, and action:

  • G1411 dýnamis (force; specially, miraculous power): This noun is the source of dýnamai's meaning, linking ability to inherent power. In Ephesians 3:20, God is able G1410 to work according to the power G1411 within believers.
  • G4982 sṓzō (to save, i.e. deliver or protect): A critical use of dýnamai is in the context of salvation. Christ is able to save completely Hebrews 7:25, and the engrafted word is able to save souls James 1:21.
  • G4160 poiéō (to make or do): This word often appears alongside dýnamai to describe the action that ability makes possible. For example, apart from Christ, believers can do nothing John 15:5.
  • G2476 hístēmi (to stand): This term is used with dýnamai to express the believer's divinely-given resilience. By putting on God's armor, believers may be able to stand against the devil's schemes Ephesians 6:11.
  • G1415 dynatós (able, mighty): This adjective directly derives from dýnamai, describing someone or something as having the inherent ability or power to do something, or as being possible.
  • G1412 dynamóō (to strengthen): This verb signifies the act of making someone or something strong or empowering them, directly relating to the impartation or increase of ability.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1410 is significant, defining the relationship between God and humanity.

  • Human Inability: The word establishes a clear boundary on human capacity. A person cannot serve two masters Matthew 6:24, the natural man cannot know the things of the Spirit of God 1 Corinthians 2:14, and the carnal mind cannot be subject to God's law Romans 8:7.
  • Divine Omnipotence: dýnamai affirms God's absolute power. He is able to raise up children to Abraham from stones Matthew 3:9, to save those who come to Him Hebrews 7:25, and to establish believers according to the gospel Romans 16:25.
  • Empowered Discipleship: For the believer, dýnamai signifies a new potential granted by God. It is the ability to withstand evil Ephesians 6:13, to bear temptation 1 Corinthians 10:13, and to quench the fiery darts of the wicked Ephesians 6:16.
  • Inability of the Law: G1410 clarifies that the Mosaic Law, despite its divine origin, lacked the inherent capacity to grant spiritual life or bring about moral perfection. The law "could not have given life" Galatians 3:21 and "can never.make the comers thereunto perfect" Hebrews 10:1, demonstrating its role as a guide rather than a means of salvation.
  • God's Self-Consistency: A unique theological application of G1410 reveals an "inability" within God's own character, asserting that He "cannot deny himself" 2 Timothy 2:13. This signifies not a limitation of power, but an unchangeable fidelity to His own nature and truth, providing a foundation for believer's trust.
  • The World's Spiritual Blindness: The term highlights the spiritual incapacity of the unregenerate world to comprehend divine truths. The world "cannot receive" the Spirit of truth John 14:17 nor "hate you" (the disciples) John 7:7 in the same way it hated Christ, underscoring a fundamental spiritual disconnect.

Summary

G1410 is a multifaceted term in the New Testament, serving as a crucial lens through which to understand the dynamics of capability and limitation in both the human and divine spheres. It distinctly delineates human insufficiency, whether stemming from inherent fallenness, physical constraint, or spiritual blindness, from the boundless power of God. While humanity often encounters situations where it "cannot" act, perceive, or believe without divine enablement, God's capacity remains absolute, extending to "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think."

The word frequently surfaces in contexts that challenge human assumptions, prompting profound questions about the nature of salvation, spiritual transformation, and the very possibility of divine interaction. It underscores that true spiritual ability, such as coming to Christ or inheriting the kingdom, is not a matter of human will or effort alone, but is contingent upon divine grace and empowerment. This is further emphasized by the explicit inability of the Law to grant life or perfect the conscience, pointing instead to the salvific work made possible through Christ.

Ultimately, G1410 paints a clear theological picture: humanity's inherent limitations necessitate divine intervention. For believers, it transforms from a word of restriction to one of divine enablement, signifying the potential to "be able" to withstand evil, bear temptation, and live righteously through the power of God working within them. It also affirms God's unchangeable character, in that He "cannot deny himself," assuring believers of His faithfulness and consistency.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 208 occurrences, inflected in 38 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it. These are this word’s own inflections, not words built from it — for those, see Related Words.

  • δύναται
  • δύνασθε
  • ἐδύνατο
  • δύνῃ
  • δύνανται
  • δυνάμεθα
  • δύνασθαι
  • δύναμαι
  • δυνήσεται
  • δυνάμενος
  • δυνάμενον
  • ἠδυνήθησαν

Related Words

Related

Words formed from this one

3 entries in Strong’s name this word as their origin. These are its derivatives — a different relationship from the inflected forms above, which are this same word bent by grammar.

G1411 δύναμις force (literally or figuratively) G1413 δυνάστης a ruler or officer G1415 δυνατός powerful or capable (literally or figuratively)

Also mentioned in the study

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G4982 σώζω to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively) G4160 ποιέω apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary G2476 ἵστημι to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively) G1412 δυναμόω to enable

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 201 verses across 19 of the 27 books. Most frequent in John (36 verses); never once in the other 8.

24
Matthew
32
Mark
25
Luke
36
John
21
Acts
5
Romans
12
1 Corinthians
3
2 Corinthians
1
Galatians
5
Ephesians
1
Philippians
2
1 Thessalonians
3
1 Timothy
3
2 Timothy
9
Hebrews
6
James
2
1 John
1
Jude
10
Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.