from ἐκ and ἰσχύω; to have full strength, i.e. be entirely competent:--be able.
Transliteration:exischýō
Pronunciation:ex-is-khoo'-o
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word G1840 (ἐξισχύω, exischýō) is a compound verb formed from the preposition ἐκ (ek, meaning "out of, from") and the verb ἰσχύω (ischýō, `{{G2480}}`, meaning "to be strong, to have power, to be able"). The prefix ἐκ in this context serves as an intensifier, indicating a full, complete, or exhaustive manifestation of the action of the base verb. Therefore, ἐξισχύω signifies more than mere ability or strength; it conveys the sense of "to be fully strong," "to be entirely competent," "to be completely able," or "to prevail with full strength." It implies a capacity that is not just present but sufficient and effective for a given task, suggesting a thorough and complete enablement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word G1840 (ἐξισχύω) appears only once in the New Testament, making its singular usage particularly poignant and weighty.
* **Ephesians 3:18**: "may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth."
In [[Ephesians 3:18]], the Apostle Paul prays for the Ephesian believers. Having just prayed that they would be "strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man" and that Christ would "dwell in your hearts through faith" so that they would be "rooted and grounded in love" ([[Ephesians 3:16-17]]), he then expresses the desire that they "may be fully able" (ἐξισχύω) to grasp the immense dimensions of Christ's love. The object of this comprehension—the "breadth and length and height and depth"—points to the immeasurable, incomprehensible vastness of divine love. The use of ἐξισχύω here is crucial; it implies that understanding such a profound spiritual reality is not a casual or superficial intellectual exercise but requires a divinely imparted, comprehensive strength and capacity. It suggests that human intellect alone is insufficient, and a supernatural enablement is necessary to truly apprehend the magnitude of Christ's love.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **ἰσχύω (ischýō, `{{G2480}}`):** The root verb, meaning "to be strong, to be able." ἐξισχύω is an intensified form, emphasizing completeness or sufficiency of strength.
* **δύναμαι (dynamai, `{{G1410}}`):** A more general term for "to be able, to have power or potential." While related, ἐξισχύω implies a more active and effective strength, often for prevailing.
* **δύναμις (dynamis, `{{G1411}}`):** "Power, might, inherent ability." Refers to the inherent capacity or potential for power.
* **κράτος (kratos, `{{G2904}}`):** "Power, might, dominion." Often refers to manifest power or authority.
* **ἐνδυναμόω (endynamoō, `{{G1743}}`):** "To strengthen, empower." This verb is often used in the passive voice, indicating that one is strengthened by an external source, particularly God. This concept of divine empowerment is directly relevant to ἐξισχύω in [[Ephesians 3:18]], as the ability to comprehend Christ's love is clearly a divine enablement.
The cluster of these words highlights the New Testament's emphasis on both human inability and divine enablement in the spiritual realm.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of ἐξισχύω in [[Ephesians 3:18]] carries profound theological weight. It underscores the truth that the Christian's ability to grasp the profound realities of God, especially the immeasurable love of Christ, is not an innate human capacity but a divinely bestowed strength. This word highlights:
1. **Human Limitation:** It implicitly acknowledges the inadequacy of human intellect and natural strength to fully comprehend spiritual truths of such magnitude. The "breadth and length and height and depth" of Christ's love transcend finite human understanding.
2. **Divine Empowerment:** The prayer for believers to ἐξισχύω (be fully able) demonstrates Paul's conviction that spiritual understanding is a gift, a work of the Holy Spirit empowering believers. This ability flows from being "rooted and grounded in love" and strengthened by God's Spirit in the inner man ([[Ephesians 3:16-17]]).
3. **Dependence on God:** The use of this word reinforces the theological principle of dependence on God for spiritual growth and insight. Believers are not expected to achieve deep spiritual comprehension through self-effort but through reliance on divine grace and power.
4. **Experiential Knowledge:** The comprehension implied by ἐξισχύω is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, experiential, and transformative grasp of truth, enabled by a complete spiritual capacity.
### Summary
G1840 (ἐξισχύω) is a potent Greek verb meaning "to be fully strong," "to be completely able," or "to have full competence." Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Ephesians 3:18]] is highly significant, revealing Paul's prayer that believers, being rooted in love, would be supernaturally enabled to comprehend the immeasurable dimensions of Christ's love. This word emphasizes that such profound spiritual understanding is beyond mere human intellect, requiring a divine enablement and a complete spiritual capacity provided by God. It underscores the vital theological truth of our dependence on God's strength for spiritual insight and highlights that true comprehension of divine mysteries is a gift, not an inherent human ability.
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