Bible Encyclopedias
Impossible

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

im - pos´i - b ' 50 (verb ἀδυνατέω , adunatéō ; adjective ἀδύνατος , adúnatos ): "To be impossible" is the translation of adunateō , "to be powerless," "impotent" ( Matthew 17:20; Luke 1:37 , the Revised Version (British and American) "void of power") adunatos , "powerless," etc., is translated "impossible" Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 18:27; Hebrews 6:4 , Hebrews 6:18; Hebrews 11:6; "impossible" in Hebrews 6:4 is in the Revised Version (British and American) transferred to Hebrews 6:6 ); anéndektos , "not to be received" or "accepted," is also translated "impossible" (Luke 17:1 ). In several of these passages it is affirmed that "nothing is impossible with God," but, of course, this means nothing that is consistent with the Divine nature, e.g. (as Hebrews 6:18 ) it is not possible for God to lie. So, when it is said that nothing is impossible to faith , the same limitation applies and also that of the mind or will of God for us. But much more is possible to a strong faith than a weak faith realizes, or even believes.