Bible Dictionary
IMPOSSIBLE
Impossible means beyond human power or ability. Scripture teaches that nothing consistent with God’s nature and purpose is impossible for Him, while God cannot lie or act contrary to His character.
Definition
Impossible describes what is beyond power or ability. In biblical usage, however, statements that nothing is impossible with God are understood as referring to what is consistent with the divine nature and will.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses the term for human powerlessness and for matters impossible to people but possible with God. The same limitation applies to statements about faith: faith does not make possible what is contrary to God’s nature or purpose. God cannot lie.
Historical Background
The underlying words mean powerless, impotent, or not to be accepted. Different Greek terms are translated “impossible” in the Gospels, Hebrews, and Luke.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>im-pos'-i-b'-l (verb adunateo; adjective adunatos): "To be impossible" is the translation of adunateo, "to be powerless," "impotent" (Mt 17:20; Lu 1:37, the Revised Version (British and American) "void of power") adunatos, "powerless," etc., is translated "impossible" Mt 19:26; Mr 10:27; Lu 18:27; Heb 6:4,18; 11:6; "impossible" in Heb 6:4 is in the Revised Version (British and American) transferred to 6:6); anendektos, "not to be received" or "accepted," is also translated "impossible" (Lu 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 Heb 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.</p><p>W. L. Walker</p>