Greek word · G2904

κράτος

kratos

power

Strength, might, mastery, ruling power, dominion. It usually means power that is exercised, a firm hold, rather than legal authority (which is ἐξουσία, exousia).

Appears 12 times in 12 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

κράτος, -εος (-ους), τό

[in LXX chiefly for עֹז, Job 12:16, Psalms 90:11 al. ;]

1. strength, esp. as in Hom., of bodily strength.

2. power, might: Hebrews 2:14; τὸ κ. τῆς ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ, Ephesians 1:19 6:10 (Isaiah 40:26, Da TH Daniel 4:27); τ. δόςης αὐτοῦ, Colossians 1:11; κατὰ κράτος, mightily, Acts 19:20; a mighty deed, an act of power, Luke 1:51; in doxologies, 1 Timothy 6:16, 1 Peter 4:11 5:11, Jude 1:25, Revelation 1:6 5:13.†

(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 Hebrews 2:14

Range of meaning

Strength, might, mastery, ruling power, dominion. It usually means power that is exercised, a firm hold, rather than legal authority (which is ἐξουσία, exousia).

Against the English

All the major versions say "power." That is fine, but "grip" or "dominion" catches the sense of actual control better.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT it mostly describes God, often in songs of praise: 1 Peter 4:11; 5:11; Jude 25; Revelation 1:6; 5:13; also Ephesians 1:19; 6:10. This is its only NT use for the devil.

From the study of Ephesians 6:10

Range of meaning

Might that is exercised and prevails: mastery, dominion, superior power. In the New Testament it is used almost only of God (Luke 1:51; Col 1:11) or in praise formulas such as "to him be the dominion forever" (1 Pet 4:11; Rev 1:6). The one exception is Heb 2:14, where the devil holds "the power of death".

Against the English

Translations vary between "power" (KJV), "strength" (WEB, ESV, NASB) and folding it into an adjective, "mighty power" (BSB, NIV, NLT). The adjective versions are smooth but lose the sense of power that has the upper hand.

Used elsewhere in the period

Isa 40:26 in the Greek Old Testament describes God calling out the starry host by name "by the might of [his] strength" (ἐν κράτει ἰσχύος), almost the same words, and in a passage about God ruling over heavenly beings. It is common in Greek praise of gods and rulers.

From the study of Ephesians 1:19

Range of meaning

Might, strength that prevails, mastery, dominion, rule. In classical Greek it is power that wins and controls. Kratos (Might) is even personified as a figure alongside Bia (Force) in Hesiod and Aeschylus.

Against the English

KJV 'mighty power', BSB 'mighty strength' and ESV 'great might' fold kratos and ischys into an adjective plus a noun. WEB 'the strength of his might' and YLT 'the power of His might' keep both nouns. The adjective versions read naturally but lose the stacking.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the New Testament kratos is used almost only of God. It is a standard word in praise formulas: 'to him be glory and dominion (kratos) forever' (1 Pet 4:11; 5:11; Jude 25; Rev 1:6). The one exception is Heb 2:14, the devil who held 'the power of death', which Christ destroyed. The exact pairing kratos tēs ischyos ('might of strength') returns in Eph 6:10: 'be strong in the Lord and in the might of his strength'. LXX Isa 40:26 speaks of God calling out the stars 'by the greatness of glory and in might of strength' (en kratei ischyos).

Where it appears

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 1:51 κράτος strength

    He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

    Here: Power that actually prevails and rules, not just potential strength. In the New Testament it is used almost only of God, often in praise formulas ("to him be the dominion"). Here it is the object of "made": God put his ruling power into action.

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 19:20 κράτος might

    So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.

    Here: Power that masters and rules, the kind of strength that wins. Together with kata it echoes the Greek idiom for taking a city 'by storm'.

Ephesians · 2

  1. Ephesians 1:19 κράτους might

    and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength,

    Here: Power as superiority and control: the might that rules and overcomes. In the New Testament it is used almost only of God, often in praise formulas ('to him be glory and dominion'). It suits the enthronement scene that follows.

  2. Ephesians 6:10 κράτει strength

    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

    Here: Power that is put to work and wins: the strength that gets the upper hand and rules.

Colossians · 1

  1. Colossians 1:11 κράτος might

    being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully

    Here: Power in the sense of control and mastery. In the New Testament it is almost always said of God, often in praise formulas ('to him be the kratos'). It is the power of the one who rules.

1 Timothy · 1

  1. 1 Timothy 6:16 κράτος dominion

    He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

    Here: Power that is actually used to rule and prevail: mastery. It is a standard word in early Christian and Jewish doxologies.

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 2:14 κράτος power

    Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,

    Here: Ruling strength, control. Elsewhere in the NT this word is almost always used of God in songs of praise ("to him be the dominion"). Here it is the enemy's grip on humanity through death.

1 Peter · 2

  1. 1 Peter 4:11 κράτος power

    If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

    Here: Ruling power, mastery that prevails. In the NT it is used almost only of God.

  2. 1 Peter 5:11 κράτος power

    To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

    Here: Power that prevails and rules: the strength to master and hold sway. It picks up the “mighty (krataian) hand of God” from verse 6 and answers the devil prowling like a lion in verse 8. Final control belongs to God.

Jude · 1

  1. Jude 1:25 κράτος dominion

    to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.

    Here: Might in action: the power to prevail and rule. It is a standard word in early Christian doxologies (short set formulas of praise).

Revelation · 2

  1. Revelation 1:6 κράτος dominion

    who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.

    Here: Power that is actually exercised: sovereign strength, mastery, rule. In a document that sets Christ against Rome, ascribing kratos to him claims the power Caesar claimed.

  2. Revelation 5:13 κράτος might

    And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!”

    Here: Power that rules and prevails. This is sovereign control, not just strength. It is a different word from the dynamis ("power") of verse 12.

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