[Greek] ἐνδυναμόω (endynamoō), [Latin] convalescere, [Latin] confortare, [French] recouver, [French] prende des forces, [French] renforcer: to give strength, to be able, to be strong; Acts 9:22, Rom.4:20, Eph.6:10, Php.4:13, 1Tim.1:12, 2Tim.2:1, 2Tim.4:17, Heb.11:34
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to be able, to be endowed with power, to make strong, and to strengthen.
Plato: “Good actions can strengthen ourselves and inspire good actions to others.”
Aesop: “In union there is strength.”
Sophocles: “Truth is the strongest argument.”
Aeschylus: “In war truth is the first casualty.”
Plato: “The excessive increase of anything causes a reaction in the opposite direction.”
Sophocles: “In a just cause, the weak will beat the strong.”
Sophocles: “Success is dependent on effort.”
Homer: “Persuasion of a friend is a strong thing.”
Old Testament: This term means to clothe, to put on, to array, to arm, and to come upon. Gideon is preparing himself for battle, being clothed with the Holy Spirit for spiritual work. Surely this a pattern that all God’s servants should seek to imitate. And Gideon was clothed with the Spirit of the Lord and he blew the horn summoning Abiezer to follow him. (Jdgs.6:34). And the Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them (Gen.3:21). And you shall put the holy garment son Aaron and anoint him and consecrate him (Exo.40:13). Then the Spirit covered Amasai like clothing (1Chr.12:18). I put on righteousness, and it clothed me (Job 29:14). Put on the coats of armor (Jer.46:4).
New Testament: This term means to grow stronger, to be empowered, to draw strength, to strengthen, to be strong, and to give strength. Saul, having been anointed by Ananias and filled with the Holy Spirit, grew all the stronger and confounded the Jews in Damascus. Abraham, empowered by faith, did not doubt God’s promise. Paul encourages others to draw strength from the Lord. Paul draws strength for everything from the Lord. Paul exhorts Timothy to be strong in the grace of the Lord. Paul states that the Lord gave him strength when he was abandoned by friends and imprisoned.
Scripture:
“But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued by the lion’s mouth.” 2Tim.4:17
Paul was abandoned by his friends in Asia. Paul is a prisoner in Rome, aware of his impending fate. However, the Lord gave Paul courage and strength.
“I am grateful to Him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He considered me in trustworthy in appointing me to this ministry.” 1Tim.1:12
Paul shows his gratitude to Christ, especially since he was a rabid persecutor of the Christian communities.
“But Saul grew all the stronger and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus, proving that He was the Messiah.” Acts 9:22
Saul was sent to Ananias who laid his hands on him. Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul’s sight was restored and the scales fell from his eyes.
Gideon Bible: The Gideon International is an Evangelical Christian association who encourages each other to do the work of the Lord, focusing on who they are before God, and strengthening the power of their personal testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ
Etymology: It is interesting to note that this term is related to the Greek verb enduo, meaning to cloth, to be clothed, and to put on oneself. From this term comes the modern words endue, endow, and endowment. The Latin verb confortare means to strengthen much. The Latin verb convalescere means to begin to grow strong.
We already have found our diamond (classical music): Many are now discovering and rediscovering the emotionally moving and captivating sounds of classical (and classicized music). Like a diamond, classical music has produced profoundly beautiful compositions which have stood the test of time, evoking emotion, inspiration, and surprising the imagination. Like a diamond, classical music can evoke (and heighten) one’s emotions with a laser-like focus. Who would have thought that Bridgerton could surprise and overwhelm us like a wrecking ball! ☺
Conclusion:
Dynamo, dynamic, convalesce, convalescent, recover, forces, comfort, reinforce
In this post, I am only going to be able to talk about being able, being strong, and being strengthened. These Greek quotes are powerful and timeless in speaking about human behavior. It was interesting to discover that Plato already understood about the psychological dynamic of “push-back”.
This term makes a powerful impression on Gideon who was enclosed with the Holy Spirit for spiritual battle. Gideon will provide later in the future the powerful inspiration for placing bibles far and wide. (Gideon Bibles)
After his convalescence and physical and spiritual blindness, Paul becomes energized in proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. Yet Paul draws his strength from the Lord in his tireless efforts in proclaiming the gospel.
Paul calls others to put on the armor of God to be able to stand up against the forces of evil (like a soldier of Christ). Prior to his conversion, Saul was an energetic and rabid persecutor of the Christians. Even during his imprisonment and impending fate, the Lord gave strength to Paul to persevere.
At times God will equip us for the battle ahead.
Update: Nations are now working together to apply further sanctions against Russia.
This crisis has also in turn moved many others to provide needed spiritual and moral support to Ukraine.
Video images will provide the strongest truthful evidence of the devastation and atrocities in Ukraine.
The international community (countries) still must continue their effort to support Ukraine.
It is not surprising that parents have risen up in protest against social activists’ overreach in matters of sex and gender.
It seems that Disney will now pay a greater price with no admissions and cancelled subscriptions, resulting in boycotts.
As Aeschylus states, truth is often the first casualty in military battles. Russia feels empowered to flout credibility (and truth) for their reasons for retreating and atrocities. (Yet even they still are doing a terrible job at this! No one believes them.) We also must not forget that lies and misinformation are also often stationed and embedded in our own political and social battlefields.
Next post: lying and misinforming