Greek word · G1414

δυνατέω

dynateō

be able

To be able, to be powerful, to have the capacity to do something.

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

δυνατέω, -ῶ

(δυνατός),

to be able, be powerful, mighty: with inf., Romans 14:4, 2 Corinthians 9:8; absol., opposite to ἀσθενῶ 2 Corinthians 13:3.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Romans 14:4

Range of meaning

To be able, to be powerful, to have the capacity to do something.

Against the English

All versions say "is able" (WEB: "has power"). This is accurate. It is lost only where the text is changed to "God is able" (KJV).

Used elsewhere in the period

A rare verb, found almost only in Paul (2 Cor 9:8 "God is able to make all grace abound"; 2 Cor 13:3 Christ "is powerful among you"). The later Byzantine copyists replaced it with the commoner phrase dynatos estin ("is able").

From the study of 2 Corinthians 13:3

Range of meaning

To be powerful, be able, show oneself strong. It comes from δυνατός ("powerful, able") and the same family as δύναμις ("power, mighty work").

Against the English

"Mighty" (KJV), "powerful" (BSB, WEB, YLT, NIV, ESV). The English cannot easily show that Paul picked a rare, active verb ("is-powerful") to match "is-weak" exactly.

Used elsewhere in the period

Found in the New Testament only in Paul: Rom 14:4 ("the Lord is able to make him stand"), 2 Cor 9:8 ("God is able"), and here. Older lexicons (e.g., Thayer) note it is apparently not found in the Septuagint and is hardly attested in Greek before Paul.

From the study of 2 Corinthians 9:8

Range of meaning

To be able, to have power, to be strong. It is a rare verb. Paul uses it three times (Rom 14:4; 2 Cor 9:8; 13:3), and it is barely attested in earlier Greek. The common way to say the same thing was the adjective dynatos, 'able'.

Against the English

All the English versions say 'is able', which is accurate. The rare verb gives slightly more weight to God's active power. It is not just possible for God; he has the power to do it.

Used elsewhere in the period

Rom 14:4, 'the Lord is able to make him stand'. 2 Cor 13:3, Christ 'is powerful among you'. Later scribes often swapped the rare verb for the familiar adjective, which is why the variant exists.

Where it appears

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 14:4 δυνατεῖ able is

    Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

    Here: A rare verb that is almost only Paul's (2 Cor 9:8; 13:3). It stresses the Lord's power and ability. The believer's confidence rests on the master's strength, not the slave's.

2 Corinthians · 2

  1. 2 Corinthians 9:8 Δυνατεῖ is able

    And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

    Here: A rare verb, put first for emphasis: God *has the power* to do this. It answers any worry that giving generously will leave the Corinthians short.

  2. 2 Corinthians 13:3 δυνατεῖ He is powerful

    since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you but is powerful among you.

    Here: A rare verb that only Paul uses in the New Testament: Christ is powerful, and actively shows his power. It answers "is weak" directly and prepares for "the power of God" in v. 4.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.