Lexical Summary pantokratór: Almighty, All-Powerful Original Word: παντοκράτωρ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Almighty, Omnipotent. From pas and kratos; the all-ruling, i.e. God (as absolute and universal sovereign) -- Almighty, Omnipotent. see GREEK pas see GREEK kratos HELPS Word-studies 3841 pantokrátōr (from 3956 /pás, "all" and 2902 /kratéō, "prevail") – properly, almighty; unrestricted power exercising absolute dominion. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pas and krateó Definition almighty NASB Translation Almighty (10). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3841: παντοκράτωρπαντοκράτωρ, παντοκράτορος, ὁ (πᾶς and κρατέω), he who holds sway over all things; the ruler of all; almighty: of God, 2 Corinthians 6:18 (from Jeremiah 38:35 Topical Lexicon Overview of the TitleStrong’s Greek 3841, Παντοκράτωρ, is rendered “Almighty” in most English versions. Far more than a mere statement of strength, the title proclaims God’s exhaustive sovereignty—His unfailing authority over creation, redemption, judgment, and consummation. In the New Testament it appears once in the Pauline letters (2 Corinthians 6:18) and nine times in Revelation, forming a literary arch that spans present discipleship and final eschatological fulfillment. Distribution and Literary Setting 1. 2 Corinthians 6:18 Paul introduces the name while exhorting the Corinthian believers to separate from idolatry, quoting the Lord: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:18). John, writing from exile on Patmos, embeds the title within worship scenes, judgments, hymns, and the final vision of the New Jerusalem. Together, the occurrences frame the entire church age with the assurance that the same Almighty God calls, preserves, judges, and ultimately dwells with His people. Old Testament Roots In the Septuagint, Παντοκράτωρ frequently translates both יְהוָה צְבָאֹות (YHWH Sabaoth, “LORD of Hosts”) and אֵל שַׁדַּי (El Shaddai, “God Almighty”). Thus, the New Testament writers intentionally echo historical covenant language: • Exodus 6:3—God’s self-revelation to Moses as “God Almighty” By adopting the same Greek title, Paul and John anchor their message in the unbroken continuity of redemptive history. Christological Significance Revelation 1:8 places “the Lord God, the Alpha and the Omega” in the position of the Almighty, a role later shown to belong to Jesus Christ (Revelation 22:13). The title therefore affirms the full deity of the risen Lord. Revelation 19:15 states that Christ “treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty,” presenting the Messiah not only as Redeemer but also as the executioner of divine justice. Eschatological Emphasis Seven of the nine occurrences in Revelation cluster around visions of the end times: • Revelation 11:17—He is praised because He “has taken His great power and begun to reign.” The title underscores that every phase of end-time events—worship, wrath, warfare, and final worship again—is governed by the same omnipotent Lord. Covenantal Fatherhood and Holiness Paul’s use in 2 Corinthians 6:18 links the Almighty’s power to His paternal covenant love. The call to holiness is motivated by the assurance that the One commanding separation from sin is the Almighty Father who tenderly receives His children. Holiness, therefore, is not legalistic isolation but filial devotion to the sovereign God. Pastoral Implications • Assurance in Suffering—Believers facing persecution (whether Corinthian Christians or Revelation’s first-century readers) find security in the Almighty’s unchallengeable rule. Historical Theology Early church fathers (e.g., Ignatius, Irenaeus) cited Παντοκράτωρ to defend the deity of Christ against Gnostic reductionism. In later centuries, the Nicene Creed’s phrase “Almighty” stands as a direct heir of this biblical title. Hymnody—from the ancient Te Deum (“Holy Lord God Almighty”) to modern songs—continues the tradition. Visual and Liturgical Heritage Eastern Christian iconography frequently depicts Christ Pantokrator enthroned within the central dome, symbolizing His cosmic sovereignty. Western stained-glass windows and cathedral inscriptions likewise proclaim “Dominus Deus Omnipotens,” echoing the Greek original. Application for Contemporary Ministry 1. Preaching—Expose the contrast between human frailty and God’s limitless authority to call for repentance and faith. Related Divine Names While Παντοκράτωρ emphasizes total dominion, Scripture uses complementary titles: Together these names enrich the church’s understanding of God’s multifaceted majesty. Summary Strong’s Greek 3841 reveals the Almighty as Father, Redeemer, Judge, and Eternal Temple. From a call to holiness in 2 Corinthians to the consummation in Revelation, the title assures believers that history moves under the hand of the One who is, who was, and who is to come—the Lord God Almighty. Forms and Transliterations παντοκράτορα παντοκράτορι παντοκρατορος παντοκράτορος παντοκράτορός Παντοκρατωρ Παντοκράτωρ Pantokrator Pantokratōr Pantokrátor Pantokrátōr pantokratoros pantokrátorosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Corinthians 6:18 N-NMSGRK: λέγει Κύριος Παντοκράτωρ NAS: to Me, Says the Lord Almighty. KJV: saith the Lord Almighty. INT: says [the] Lord Almighty Revelation 1:8 N-NMS Revelation 4:8 N-NMS Revelation 11:17 N-NMS Revelation 15:3 N-NMS Revelation 16:7 N-NMS Revelation 16:14 N-GMS Revelation 19:6 N-NMS Revelation 19:15 N-GMS Revelation 21:22 N-NMS Strong's Greek 3841 |
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