Bible Dictionary
ABILITY
Resources, natural capacity, or spiritual gifts by which a person can act or serve. Scripture speaks of giving according to one’s ability and ministering with strength God provides.
Definition
Ability is the possession of resources, capacity, strength, or gifts sufficient for a task. It may refer to wealth, mental endowment, personal talents and character, or spiritual strength.
Biblical Usage
Biblical examples include giving according to one’s resources, possessing capacity for service, receiving differing talents, and ministering with strength supplied by God.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-bil'-i-ti (dunamis, or ischus): Variously used of resources, material, mental and spiritual; e.g. of wealth, "gave after their ability" (Ezr 2:69); of mental endowment, "ability to stand in the king's palace" (Da 1:4); of talents and character, "several ability" (Mt 25:15); of spiritual strength, "minister, as of the ability which God giveth" (the King James Version 1Pe 4:11). It thus may signify either possessions, native capacity, or gifts of the Holy Spirit.</p>