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In Rom. 1: 1-4 we have another combination. In earlier articles we have seen the
association of the promise with the Scriptures and with the Person of Christ, and here, in
Rom. 1: 1-4, we have all three combined with the thought of resurrection power:--
"The gospel of God, which He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy
scriptures concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord . . . . . declared to be the Son of God
with power, according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection of the dead."
When we considered the great and precious promise of II Pet. 1: 4 we found that its
great source of strength was the partaking of the divine nature. We now draw attention to
the fact that this same promise is said to be "according to His divine power" (II Pet. 1: 3).
It should be understood that most of the occurrences of the word "able" in the N.T. are
translations of dunamai or dunatos, both derived from the same word translated "power".
While the substitution of the word "power" is not recommended as a translation, it is
nevertheless suggestive. Let us look at some "promises" that are pledged by this divine
ability or power. The restoration of Israel under the figure of the olive tree and its
branches is assured by this fact of power, and so with other promises:--
"For God is of power to graft them in again" (Rom. 11: 23).
"The blind men came to Him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am of
power to do this? They said unto Him, Yea, Lord" (Matt. 9: 28).
"Now unto Him who is of power (dunamai) to do exceeding abundantly above all that
we ask or think, according to the power (dunamis) that worketh in us" (Eph. 3: 20).
"That I may know Him and the power (dunamis) of his resurrection . . . . . like unto
His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is of power (dunamai) even to
subdue all things unto Himself" (Phil. 3: 10-21).
"Wherefore He is of power also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by
Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7: 25).
With the latter reference, compare Heb. 7: 16, where we find this power is called
"the power of an endless life". Read through the epistle of Jude, get some idea of the
corruption that will be manifest in that day, and then appreciate the better the promise:--
"Now unto Him that is of power to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless
before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24).
This paragraph is in structural correspondence with verse 1, where these same
believers are called "the preserved in Jesus Christ".
We too can be of Abraham's persuasion, and rest in the fact that "He is able".