Gandalf and Sauron

[Nils]

I would like to chime in on the enhanced Gandalf issue. According to POME, Glorfindel's power was enhanced to that of preactically a Maia. This was because his sacraficial battle with a Balrog.

Ganalf's death paralleled Glorfindel's. If Glorfindel's power was increased by that much, it wouldn't be inconceivable that Gandalf's would be too.

On the issue of Sauron not being able to take bodily form, I believe this to be an error and here is why:

Therefore on a time Mithrandir at great peril went again to Dol Guldur and the pits of the Sorcerer, and he discovered the truth of his fears, and escaped. And returning to Elrond he said:
'True, alas, is our guess. This is not one of the Úlairi, as many have long supposed. It is Sauron himself who has taken shape again and now grows apace; and he is gathering again all the Rings to his hand; and he seeks ever for news of the One, and of the Heirs of Isildur, if they live still on earth.'

From Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age.