κράτος means “power.” In the New Testament it appears in contexts ranging from God’s decisive action in history to doxologies that ascribe enduring power to God and to the Lamb.
Occurrences
“He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.” (Luke 1:51)
Here κράτος is framed as power expressed through effective action: strength “with his arm” that results in the proud being “scattered.” The line presents power as more than capacity; it is power that achieves a concrete outcome in the social and inner world (“the imagination of their hearts”).
“So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.” (Acts 19:20)
In this summary statement, κράτος characterizes the word of the Lord as “becoming mighty.” Power is depicted as something that can be recognized in the public progress of the message: it “was growing” and its might is evident in that growth. The verse ties power to expansion and prevailing influence.
“and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might” (Ephesians 1:19)
κράτος appears within a layered description: “power… toward us who believe,” measured “according to… working… strength… might.” Power is portrayed as active and directed (“toward us who believe”), and it is described as operating in a way that can be spoken of as “working.” The verse uses accumulative language to emphasize the magnitude and effectiveness of divine power.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
Here κράτος is the sphere in which believers are to be strengthened: “in the strength of his might.” Power is not presented as self-generated; it is anchored “in the Lord.” The line treats divine power as a sustaining resource for steadfastness, defined by its source (“his might”).
“strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy,” (Colossians 1:11)
κράτος is again linked to strengthening, but the purpose is stated: “for all endurance and perseverance with joy.” Power is framed as enabling long-lasting faithfulness rather than a momentary display. The measure of this strengthening is “according to the might of his glory,” connecting power with God’s own glorious abundance.
“He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:16)
κράτος is ascribed to God as “eternal power.” The verse places this power alongside divine uniqueness (“He alone has immortality”) and transcendence (“unapproachable light”), so that power functions as part of a reverent confession. The ascription “to whom be honor and eternal power” makes power a fitting, lasting attribute acknowledged in worship.
“Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,” (Hebrews 2:14)
In this verse κράτος is linked to “the power of death,” associated with “the devil.” Power is depicted as a real dominion or effective grip connected to death, something that can be possessed (“him who had the power of death”). The verse then portrays decisive reversal: through participation in “flesh and blood” and “through death,” that power is rendered ineffective (“bring to nothing”).
“If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11)
κράτος occurs in the phrase “the strength which God supplies,” placing power in the practical sphere of service. The verse emphasizes the derivative character of this strength: it is supplied by God, not sourced in the servant. The stated aim—“that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ”—frames power as a means to divine glory, and the closing ascription (“to whom belong the glory and the dominion”) situates power-language within worshipful acknowledgment of rightful rule.
“To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:11)
Here κράτος is part of a brief doxology: “the glory and the power forever and ever.” Power is not argued for or described in terms of effects; it is confessed as belonging to “him,” and its duration (“forever and ever”) stresses permanence. The pairing with “glory” presents power as worthy of praise.
“to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 1:25)
κράτος is joined with “dominion,” and both are ascribed “to God our Savior.” The verse situates power within an acclamation of God’s greatness (“glory and majesty”) and governance (“dominion”). The temporal sweep—“both now and forever”—presents power as present and enduring, not limited to a single moment of intervention.
“and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:6)
In this doxological statement, κράτος appears in the ascription “the dominion forever and ever.” Power is linked to the One who “made us to be a Kingdom, priests,” tying divine power to royal-priestly purpose and identity bestowed on the community. The focus is on rightful dominion that continues without end.
“I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!”” (Revelation 5:13)
κράτος is voiced by “every created thing” as “the dominion” belonging to “him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Power here is cosmic in scope, receiving universal acknowledgment across all realms named in the verse. The acclamation places dominion alongside “blessing,” “honor,” and “glory,” presenting power as a central element of the worship offered to the enthroned One and the Lamb.
Sense and Usage
Across these passages κράτος consistently denotes power as effective strength that belongs supremely to God and is fittingly confessed in worship. In narrative or summary contexts it marks power recognized by its outcomes: God “has scattered the proud” (Luke 1:51), and the Lord’s word is “growing and becoming mighty” (Acts 19:20). In exhortation and prayerful teaching, power is the enabling force by which believers are strengthened “in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10) and “with all power… for all endurance and perseverance with joy” (Colossians 1:11); it is not portrayed as an independent human possession but as something directed toward believers (Ephesians 1:19) and supplied by God for service (1 Peter 4:11).
κράτος also appears in stark contrast between competing powers. Hebrews 2:14 speaks of “the power of death” as something the devil “had,” yet the verse depicts that power being neutralized through Christ’s death. In the doxologies, power is associated with God’s majesty, dominion, and eternal worthiness: “eternal power” belongs to the One who dwells in “unapproachable light” (1 Timothy 6:16), and “dominion and power” are confessed “both now and forever” (Jude 1:25). Revelation amplifies the same confession in a liturgical key, with dominion acclaimed “forever and ever” and voiced by all creation to the enthroned One and the Lamb (Revelation 5:13).
Imagery in Context
The imagery accompanying κράτος moves from the intimate to the cosmic. Luke portrays power with the concrete image of an “arm” acting decisively in human affairs. Ephesians and Colossians portray power as a strengthening reality that enables endurance. Hebrews locates power in the contested arena of death and deliverance. The doxologies in 1 Timothy, 1 Peter, Jude, and Revelation present power as something rightly and endlessly ascribed, culminating in the scene where “every created thing” joins in acclaiming dominion to the One on the throne and to the Lamb.
Sources:
Lexical data from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and the Translators Brief Lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (STEPBible, CC BY). Occurrence data from the Translators Amalgamated Greek New Testament (STEPBible, CC BY). Scripture quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).
