ἐξισχύω G1840
to be fully able, have full strength; be capable of accomplishing something through sufficient power
This verb means to have full strength or be fully able to accomplish something. Ephesians 3:18 expresses Paul's prayer that believers 'may be able to comprehend' the dimensions of Christ's love with all the saints. The term emphasizes sufficient strength or capacity for a task. Classical usage shows it could mean prevail or have strength enough. Paul prays for divinely-enabled capacity: comprehending Christ's love requires more than human ability—it needs the Spirit's strengthening to grasp what surpasses knowledge.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Ephesians 3:18 contains Paul's prayer that believers 'may be fully able' (ἐξισχύσητε) to grasp Christ's love's dimensions with all the saints. The aorist subjunctive expresses purpose: Paul prays for enabling power to comprehend the incomprehensible. Spanish seáis capaces points to capability. Classical usage for having sufficient strength fits: understanding Christ's love requires more power than we possess naturally. Paul prays for Spirit-given capacity to know what surpasses knowledge—a divine empowerment for transcendent comprehension. 1×
AR["تَقدِروا"]·ben["সমর্থ-হও"]·DE["vermoegen"]·EN["you-may-be-strong"]·FR["ἐξισχύσητε"]·heb["תּוּכְלוּ"]·HI["तुम-समरथ-हो"]·ID["kamu-mampu"]·IT["exischusēte"]·jav["panjenengan-sedaya-saged"]·KO["강해지도록"]·PT["sejais-plenamente-capazes"]·RU["возмогли"]·ES["seáis-capaces"]·SW["mweze"]·TR["guclenesiniz"]·urd["قادر-ہو"]
Related Senses
H3808 1. simple negation (not) (4839×)G1722 1. locative: in, within (2442×)H1004b 1. house, dwelling, building (2015×)G3756 1. not (negation particle) (1635×)H4480a 1. source or separation (1198×)H5892b 1. city, town (1093×)G1519 1. direction: into, to, toward (1061×)H3427 1. Qal: to dwell, inhabit (937×)G1537 1. from, out of (source/origin) (886×)H8034 1. Name (designation / identifier) (856×)G3361 1. subjective negation (not) (834×)G1909 1. on, upon (spatial surface) (757×)H0369 1. existential negation: there is not (738×)H5869a 1. in the eyes/sight of (evaluative) (734×)H5650 1. Servant, attendant, subject (723×)H0408 1. prohibitive negation do-not (712×)G2443 1. so that, in order that (purpose/result) (665×)G0575 1. from (649×)G1223 1. through, by means of (582×)H3541 1. thus, so, in this manner (569×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἐξισχύω [ῡ], have strength enough, be able, ὥστε ποιεῖν Refs 1st c.BC+: with infinitive only, LXX+NT+1st c.AD+; ἐξίσχυσεν τὰ βιβλείδια ἀθετηθῆναι procured the rejection of the petition, Refs 3rd c.AD+: absolutely, prevail, Refs 1st c.BC+ __II with genitive, τὸ δαιμόνιον παίδων ἐξισχῦον fate prevailing over the children, Refs 2nd c.AD+ __III middle, of flames, gather force, Refs 4th c.BC+