Able (verb) (1414)(dunateo from dunatos = one who possesses power; from dunamai = describes power in one by virtue of inherent ability and/or resources) means to show oneself to be able to accomplish what needs to be accomplished. In Ro 14:4 dunateo is followed by an infinitive ("to") = "to be able to."
The present tense indicates He is continuously able! (cp Heb 7:25).
Able (Webster) = having the necessary power, resources, skill, time, opportunity, etc., to do something, having sufficient power, skill, or resources to accomplish an object; Having physical power sufficient; having competent power or strength, bodily or mental;
Thayer - To be powerful or mighty; show oneself powerful (2Cor 13:3) as opposed to weak (astheno); to be able to have power.
BDAG - to display capability, be effective, be able
TDNTA - Words of this stem (duna-) all have the basic sense of ability or capability.
See related study on the encouraging truth - GOD IS ABLE
Dunateo - 3x - Is able (2), mighty. Used only in NT (no uses in Septuagint).
Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
2 Corinthians 13:3 since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.
Comment: The power at work in believers is that of the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. (Spirit filled life study Bible)
ESV Study Bible - like Christ, Paul will manifest the power of God in judging the Corinthians’ behavior and beliefs (see 1 Cor. 5:12–13; 6:1–3).
Bill Bright - “The Christian life is more than difficult; it is humanly impossible to live. Only Jesus Christ can live it through you as He dwells within you (Ed: Specifically via the "Helper," the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ). The Christian life is not a person trying to imitate Christ; rather, it is Christ imparting His life to and living His life through the person. The Christian life is not what you do for Him; it is what He does for and through you. He wants to think with your mind, express Himself through your emotions, and speak through your voice, though you may be unconscious of it.”
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Greek Word Studies ( - )
Read freely Greek Word Studies from the Austin Precept text commentary of the Bible in text and pdf format. Precept Austin is an online free dynamic bible commentary similar to wikipedia with updated content and many links to excellent biblical resources around the world. You can browse the entire collection of Commentaries by Verse on the Precept Austin website.We have been "bought with a price" to be "ambassadors for Christ" and our "salvation is nearer to us than when we believed" so let us "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" "so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." (1Cor 6:20, 2Cor 5:20, Ro 13:11, 2Cor 7:1, 1Jn 2:28)