Effective, Active

Greek Word Pronunciation: en-er-GES
Strong’s Number: 1756
Goodrich/Kohlenberger Number: 1921
Key Verse: “For the word of God is living and active and sharper … ” -- Hebrews 4:12

Energes is a compound word, comprised of en (“in”) and ergon (“work”), thus, to be engaged in work, capable of doing, active, powerful, effective. (The English word “energy” comes from this word.) This adjective, and its other forms, are used in the New Testament only of superhuman power, good or evil. In classical Greek, it was used almost exclusively in reference to medical treatment and the influence of medicine. In the papyri, a medical receipt uses it for “tolerably strong.” This word is found only 3 times in the New Testament.

In 1 Corinthians 16:9, Paul says that “a wide door for effective service has opened to me …” God provided a great evangelic opportunity for Paul in Ephesus. In spite of tremendous opposition, the door for the gospel was spread wide open. Because of the perfect tense of the verb “opened,” it is clear that God sovereignly opened the door, and it remained permanently open for Paul to avail himself of the opportunity.

Paul writes in Philemon 1:6 “… that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.” His prayer is that the fellowship of faith between Philemon and Onesimus may become effectual in showing forth forgiveness. As Philemon would gain fuller understanding of his blessings in Christ, he would become more active in sharing Him.

HEBREWS 4:12 says, “the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword …” The Word is not only living, but energetically efficacious. Its power is seen in awakening the conscience, alarming the fears, laying bare the secret feelings of the heart, and causing the sinner to tremble with apprehension of the coming judgment. The Word of God was also a known name of the Messiah among the Jews. This is the reason why care should be taken that men fall not off from the Gospel, because Christ, the author, sum, and substance of it, is the living God, who is a Judge, and a critical discerner of the secrets of men's hearts. Several things said of the Word exactly agree with Christ: He is “the Word of God”; He is the Word that spoke all things out of nothing in creation; He is the Word that has been promised, and spoken of by the prophets from the beginning of the world; and He is the interpreter of His Father’s mind, and our Advocate with the Father.