be the sword 'of the Spirit' if this, their great purpose is believed and

And so we come to the complete statement of 1 Thessalonians 2:13,

'The Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe'.

The word that is translated 'effectually worketh' is the Greek energeo

'to inwork', 'to energize'.  The three forms energeo, energeia and energes

are translated 'effectual', 'effectually' and 'to work effectually' in the

New Testament, and an examination of these occurrences will help us to

understand something of the energizing power of the Word.  Limiting ourselves

to those passages which use the word 'effectual' we observe that:

Energeo 'to inwork or energize' is used in 2 Corinthians 1:6; Galatians

2:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:13 and James 5:16.  The things which are said to be

'effectual' in these passages are consolation enabling both Paul and the

Corinthians to endure; the equipment of both Peter and Paul for their

apostleship; the Word of God, the passage under consideration and the prayer

of a righteous man.

Energeia, energy.  This is translated 'effectual' in Ephesians 3:7 and

4:16; in the first passage Paul speaks of the gift of the grace of God which

enabled him to be the dispenser of the truth of the Mystery, and in the

second passage, every member of the Body of Christ is seen to have its

appointed and proper function, which, by the working together of every part

according to its appointed place and measure, makes for increase or growth.

Energes, powerful.  The word occurs but three times in the New

Testament.  'A great door and effectual is opened' (1 Cor. 16:9), wrote the

apostle concerning an opportunity for service which he desired to seize,

'That the communication of thy faith may become effectual' (Philem. 6),

or speaking generally, that fellowship in faith proves effectual, when it

makes for acknowledgment that every good thing that is in us is found and

enjoyed 'in Christ Jesus'.  It will be seen that this energy comes to the

believer through the Risen Christ and is very much associated with Christian

service.  In our text, however, it is not so much the Word effectually

working through us to others that is in mind, but effectually working in

those who believe.  We must therefore come a little closer and confine our

examination to the two epistles to the Thessalonians, where we find two

occurrences of energeo, and two of energeia.  These four occurrences form a

connected whole, as may be seen by the following:

A

1 Thess.

For this cause.

Word believed, effectually worketh (energeo) in you.

B

2 Thess.

Mystery of iniquity already works (energeo).

But kept in check for a time.

B

2 Thess.

Manifestation Satanic working (energeia).

Signs and lying wonders.

A

2 Thess.

For this cause.

Lie believed, inworking (energeia) error in them.

The solemnity of these passages needs no emphasis.  We are transported

by these prophetic words to the approaching day of the Lord.  As the age