One very good reason for choosing to use biblical words rather than ‘synonyms’ is the Chinese Whispers problem. We all know how with every repeating of a phrase there is the possibility of confusion, and that’s in the same language. When we factor in that many of our theological terms have passed through multiple languages we can see how the possibility for a gradual change of meaning becomes possible, if not likely.
One particular word is used 9 times in the book of Revelation (and only once elsewhere in the NT). The word is generally translated as ‘Almighty’, or ‘Omnipotent’. Both of these translated words tend to convey power: might or potency.
For example, take Revelation 19:6: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.” (ESV)
The word we’re considering is ‘Almighty’ in the ESV and others, and ‘Omnipotent’ in the KJV/NKJV. To make it clear where we’re looking let’s rephrase it as “For the Lord our God the Pantokrator reigns.” I suspect that most Christians would gladly subscribe to the concept of the omnipotence of God: the idea that God is all powerful and able to do anything. This in itself causes confusion when authors come up with books, such as: “12 Things God Can’t Do”, which shows a fundamental illogicality around our understanding of God’s nature and of the language being used, including ‘omnipotent’. To be clear: if we can’t use correct language about God we will fail to understand God correctly.
In this case, it’s the Chinese Whispers that goes from pantokrator in the orginal NT Greek through the Latin term omnipotent, which means all powerful. The problem then becomes exacerbated when we try and discover evidence for God’s omnipotence in Scripture in terms of a very modern and western concept of ability to do things. The reality is that God’s absolute power is clear in Scripture (Psalm 115:3). But concept under discussion is not primarily one of ability, rather it assumes ability and speaks of authority.
Let’s get back to the word at the heart of the issue: pantokrator. There’s a great answer to the question of what it means on StackExchange. There’s no debate about the ‘pan’ part, it does simply mean all in English. The second half of the word can be seen in other English words, such as autocrat or democrat. These words describe ways of ruling and have nothing to do with ability (which is self evident when we look at those who exercise various ‘cracys). So what do we understand from Revelation 19:6 and similar passages that use the word pantokrator? We understand that the God of the Bible claims absolute and kingly authority over all things. The word ‘reigns’ in our verse is the verbal form of ‘king’ (rulers rule, kings reign, we don’t have a verbal form of king in English).
This understanding does not deny God’s ability or power, but it is important to understand and believe what God is actually saying, and not our several steps removed interpretation. These pantokrator passages are, on the basis of the evident power of the Creator God of the Bible, describing a powerful God exercising his authority to rule.
We may quite correctly translate this verse as: “Hallelujah! For the Lord, our Ruler of All, rules!”