There are SIX Greek words which are translated POWER in the New Testament. Each one has a different meaning, though some of the differences are negligible. Due to limited space, I can’t give the meanings of all the Hebrew words translated power in the Old Testament.

DUNAMIS: This Greek word which is translated POWER means “ability or might.” It is used 1) OF GOD in Matthew 26:64, “Hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”  The POWER in this verse implies “absolute POWER in judgment.” It is used 2) OF ANGELS in Ephesians 1:21 where Christ is “far above all principality and POWER and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” God has given POWER (ability and might) to all ranks of angels, but Christ’s POWER is far above them all. It used 3) OF GOD’S POWER manifested in the GOSPEL in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL of Christ, for it is the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.”

EXOUSIA: This Greek word denotes “freedom of action, right to act, and of God it is absolute and unrestricted.” We see this word in Luke 12:5 where it is speaking of God, “But I will show you whom you should fear; Fear Him who, after He has killed, has POWER to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!”  Another word used as a synonym for this word is the word AUTHORITY. We find this in Acts 1:7 where Jesus said to His disciples, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own AUTHORITY.”

ISCHUS: Here the Greek word means “force, strength.” It is translated POWER in 2 Thessalonians 1:9, “These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His POWER.”

KRATOS: This Greek word refers to “dominion.” We see this of God’s DOMINION in 1 Timothy 6:16, “Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom the honor and everlasting POWER. Amen.”

DUNATON: The word “able” comes close to describing this Greek word. Romans 9:22 states, “What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to MAKE HIS POWER KNOWN, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction.” This definition is closely related to DUNAMIS, for God has the ABILITY (power) to display His power in whatever way He pleases.

ARCHE: This word means “a BEGINNING” and refers to “a RULER who is THE FIRST.” We know that God is “the FIRST RULER” or “POWER” and all other “rulers or powers” originated from Him. This is closely linked with the word AUTHORITY which we saw is a synonym for the Greek word EXOUSIA. Two verses which bring this out are Romans 13:1 and Luke 20:20, “Let every soul be subject to the governing AUTHORITIES. For there is no AUTHORITY except from God, and the AUTHORITIES that exist are appointed by God…So they watched Him (Jesus), and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, on order to deliver Him to the POWER and AUTHORITY of the governor.” Think of this, every RULER/GOVERNOR was given their power by God and yet here weak and sinful men were going to deliver Jesus Christ, WHO IS THE SUPREME RULER of the universe over to a mere man. This is illustrated perfectly in John 19:10-11, “Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Are You now speaking to me? Do You not know that I have POWER to crucify You, and POWER to release You?’ Jesus answered, ‘You could have NO POWER at all unless it has been given to you from above.”  (DO)  (693.1)