Understanding the Three Gifts of God's Power

The concept of the three gifts of God's power is rooted in biblical teachings and has been interpreted by various Christian traditions. According to 2 Peter 1:3, God's divine power has given believers "all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" ^[4]. This verse highlights the idea that God's power is the foundation of the gifts He bestows upon believers.

The gifts of God's power are multifaceted and diverse. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various gifts, including Christ as the chief gift, the Holy Spirit, grace, wisdom, repentance, faith, righteousness, strength, and power ^[1]. These gifts are dispensed according to God's will and are considered free and abundant ^[1]. The biblical basis for these gifts is evident in passages such as Ephesians 3:7, which states that the gift of God's grace was given to the apostle Paul "through the working of His power" ^[2].

One tradition interprets the gifts of God's power as being closely tied to the person and work of Jesus Christ. According to John Gill, Christ's divine power has given believers "all things that pertain unto life and godliness" ^[8]. This understanding is supported by passages such as John 3:34-35, which describe the Father giving the Son the Spirit without limit ^[7].

The gifts of God's power are also associated with the Holy Spirit. In Isaiah 11:2, the Spirit of the Lord is said to rest upon the Messiah, qualifying Him for His office ^[9]. This passage highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering Christ for His ministry. Similarly, in Zechariah 4:13, the two anointed ones are interpreted by John Gill as Christ and the Holy Spirit, emphasizing their joint role in supplying the church with the gifts and graces of the Spirit ^[11].

The understanding of the gifts of God's power has been articulated in various Christian traditions. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes the importance of spiritual blessings in Christ, including the gift of salvation and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit ^[10]. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, represented by John Gill, highlights the role of Christ's divine power in giving believers all things necessary for life and godliness ^[8].

The gifts of God's power are not limited to spiritual blessings but also include material and temporal provisions. Ecclesiastes 5:19 states that wealth and possessions are a gift from God, enabling individuals to enjoy them and rejoice in their labor ^[3]. Similarly, Psalms 127:3 describes children as a gift from the Lord ^[5].

The biblical concept of the gifts of God's power is closely tied to the idea of God's sovereignty and providence. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, God's power is described as great, strong, glorious, mighty, and everlasting ^[6]. This understanding is supported by passages such as Ephesians 1:3, which describes God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed believers with spiritual blessings in Christ ^[10].

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gifts of God, The — All blessings are -- Jas 1:17; 2Pe 1:3. Are dispensed according to his will -- Ec 2:26; Da 2:21; Ro 12:6; 1Co 7:7. Are free and abundant -- Nu 14:8; Ro 8:32. Spiritual Christ the chief of. -- Isa 42:6; 55:4; Joh 3:16; 4:10; 6:32,33. Are through Christ. -- Ps 68:18; Eph 4:7,8; Joh 6:27. The Holy Spirit. -- Lu 11:13; Ac 8:20. Grace. -- Ps 84:11; Jas 4:6. Wisdom. -- Pr 2:6; Jas 1:5. Repentance. -- Ac 11:18. Faith. -- Eph 2:8; Php 1:29. Righteousness. -- Ro 5:16,17. Strength and power. -- Ps 68:35. A new heart. -- Eze 11:19. Peace. -- Ps 29:11. Rest. ”
Ephesians “Ephesians 3:7 (BSB) — I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.”
Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 5:19 (LEB) — This indeed is a gift of God: everyone to whom God gives wealth and possessions, he also empowers him ⌞to enjoy them⌟, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in the fruit of his toil.”
King James Version “[KJV] 2 Peter 1:3 — According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”
Psalms “Psalms 127:3 (NASB) — Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- Ps 62:11. Expressed by the Voice of God. -- Ps 29:3,5; 68:33. Finger of God. -- Ex 8:19; Ps 8:3. Hand of God. -- Ex 9:3,15; Isa 48:13. Arm of God. -- Job 40:9; Isa 52:10. Thunder of his power. -- Job 26:14. Described as Great. -- Ps 79:11; Na 1:3. Strong. -- Ps 89:13; 136:12. Glorious. -- Ex 15:6; Isa 63:12. Mighty. -- Job 9:4; Ps 89:13. Everlasting. -- Isa 26:4; Ro 1:20. Sovereign. -- Ro 9:21. Effectual. -- Isa 43:13; Eph 3:7. Irresistible. -- De 32:39; Da 4:35. Incomparable. -- Ex 15:11,12; De 3:24; Job 40:9; Ps 89:8.”
John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 3:34: 3:34-35 The Father gives the Son the Spirit without limit as a sign of his profound love (3:35). It also illustrates Jesus’ divinity. John presents the one God as three persons (cp. 1 Jn 5:5-12).”
2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 1:3: According as his divine power,.... Meaning either the power of God the Father, to whom belong eternal power and Godhead; and he is sometimes called by the name of power itself; see Mat 26:64 being all powerful and mighty; or rather the power of Christ, since he is the next and immediate antecedent to this relative; and who, as he has the fulness of the Godhead in him, is almighty, and can do all things; and is "El-shaddai", God all-sufficient, and can communicate all things whatsoever he pleases, and does, as follows: for he hath given unto us all things that pertai”
Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 11:2: And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,.... The rod and branch, the King Messiah, so qualifying him for his office, and the discharge of it. This shows that Christ's kingdom is of a spiritual nature, and administered in a spiritual manner, for which he was abundantly furnished by the "Spirit of the Lord" resting on him; by whom is meant the third Person in the Trinity, so called, not because created by him, for not any created spirit is meant, but because he proceeded from him; he is the one Jehovah with him, a divine Person, truly God, yet distinct both from ”
Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 1:3: He begins with thanksgivings and praise, and enlarges with a great deal of fluency and copiousness of affection upon the exceedingly great and precious benefits which we enjoy by Jesus Christ. For the great privileges of our religion are very aptly recounted and enlarged upon in our praises to God. I. In general he blesses God for spiritual blessings, Eph 1:3, where he styles him the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; for, as Mediator, the Father was his God; as God, and the second person in the blessed Trinity, God was his Father. It bespeaks the mystical”
Zechariah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Zechariah 4:13: Then said he, These are the two anointed ones,.... Or "sons of oil" (t). Some think the gifts and graces of the Spirit are meant, which come from the God of all grace, remain with Christ, are given freely by him to the sons of God, and are always for the service of the church, and sufficient for it; others, Christ the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit. Christ is the anointed One, or son of oil, being anointed with the Holy Ghost to the office of Prophet, Priest, and King; and with which oil he has supplied his candlestick, the church, in all ages. The Holy Spirit is ”

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