Topical Bible: Authorities

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, "authorities" refer to individuals or institutions that hold power and governance over others. This concept is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, where authority is seen as established by God for the purpose of order, justice, and the common good.

Divine Establishment of Authority

The Bible teaches that all authority is instituted by God. Romans 13:1-2 states, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." This passage underscores the belief that earthly authorities are part of God's sovereign plan.

Authority in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, authority is often associated with kings, judges, and prophets. God appointed leaders like Moses and Joshua to guide His people. Deuteronomy 17:14-20 outlines the guidelines for kingship in Israel, emphasizing that a king should be chosen by God and should rule according to His laws. The authority of prophets, such as Samuel and Elijah, was also significant, as they were God's messengers to the people and the rulers.

Authority in the New Testament

The New Testament expands on the concept of authority, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus Himself is portrayed as having ultimate authority. In Matthew 28:18 , Jesus declares, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." His authority is evident in His teachings, miracles, and His power over sin and death.

The apostles, as leaders of the early church, also exercised authority. In Acts 5:29 , Peter and the other apostles assert, "We must obey God rather than men," highlighting the principle that divine authority supersedes human authority when the two are in conflict.

Submission to Authority

Christians are called to submit to authorities as an act of obedience to God. 1 Peter 2:13-14 instructs, "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, or to governors as those sent by him to punish evildoers and praise well-doers." This submission is not blind allegiance but is contingent upon the authority's alignment with God's moral order.

Authority within the Church

Within the church, authority is exercised by elders and overseers. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 provide qualifications for church leaders, emphasizing character and ability to teach. Hebrews 13:17 exhorts believers, "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who must give an account."

Authority in the Family

The Bible also addresses authority within the family structure. Ephesians 5:22-24 speaks to the relationship between husbands and wives: "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior." This passage, along with Ephesians 6:1-4, which instructs children to obey their parents, outlines a framework for familial authority based on mutual respect and love.

Spiritual Warfare and Authority

In the realm of spiritual warfare, believers are reminded of the authority they have in Christ over spiritual forces. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the spiritual dimension of authority and the believer's role in standing firm against evil.

In summary, the concept of authority in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing divine, civil, ecclesiastical, familial, and spiritual dimensions. It is a reflection of God's order and is to be respected and exercised with responsibility and humility.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(n.) Plural of Authority.

Greek

4173. politarches -- the ruler of a city
... magistrate. Word Origin from polis and archo Definition the ruler of a city
NASB Word Usage city authorities (2). ruler of the city. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4173.htm - 6k

1179. Dekapolis -- Decapolis, a region East of the Jordan
... a group or district of ten cities (of the Greek type) in Palestine, mostly
south-east of the Lake of Tiberias; the names and number vary in ancient authorities ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1179.htm - 6k

1849. exousia -- power to act, authority
... Word Origin from exesti Definition power to act, authority NASB Word Usage authorities
(7), authority (65), charge (1), control (1), domain (2), dominion (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1849.htm - 8k

758. archon -- ruler, chief
... of archo Definition ruler, chief NASB Word Usage authorities (1), leaders (1),
magistrate (1), official (2), official's (1), prince (1), ruler (1), ruler (13 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/758.htm - 7k

Library

Authorities and Materials.
... Authorities and Materials. The chief ancient and medieval authorities
for the life and times of Leo the Great are such works as ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/authorities and materials.htm

List of Authorities
... LIST OF AUTHORITIES. CHIEFLY USED IN WRITING THIS BOOK. Alford: Greek Testament.
Von der Alm: Heidn. u. j?�d. Urtheile ?�ber Jesu u. die alten Christen. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/list of authorities.htm

The Heathen Gods from Heathen Authorities
... Book II. Chapter I."The Heathen Gods from Heathen Authorities. Varro Has
Written a Work on the Subject. His Threefold Classification. ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter i the heathen gods from.htm

Authorities in Support of the Council. Theognostus; Dionysius of ...
... Chapter VI."Authorities in Support of the Council. Theognostus; Dionysius
of Alexandria; Dionysius of Rome; Origen. 25. This then ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter vi authorities in support of.htm

Principal Authorities Referred To
... PRINCIPAL AUTHORITIES REFERRED TO. ATCD MS. F.4, 6, containing the Vita S.
Malachiae and a portion of Sermo ii. imbedded therein. Cent. ...
/.../principal authorities referred to.htm

The Trial Before the Jewish Authorities.
... FRIDAY"THE DAY OF SUFFERING THE TRIAL BEFORE THE JEWISH AUTHORITIES. So
the band and the chief captain, and the officers of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the trial before the jewish.htm

Concerning Lordships and Powers and Authorities, and Concerning ...
... CAPUT VIII. Concerning Lordships and Powers and Authorities, and concerning
their middle Hierarchy. Section I. Let us now pass to ...
/.../dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput viii concerning lordships and.htm

Lutherans in New York.
... the former having arrived in New Amsterdam probably as early as 1624) had organized
a congregation in 1648, and in 1653 requested the authorities to grant them ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/lutherans in new york.htm

Introduction
... biography the reader must expect short statements, rather than detailed arguments,
and in a popular tale he will not look for embattled lists of authorities. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/introduction.htm

(Continued). Causes of Corruption Chiefly Intentional.
... 36, into which the words oude` o Uio's, neither the Son' have been transferred from
Mark 13:32 in compliance with a wholly insufficient body of authorities [351 ...
/.../chapter xi continued causes of 2.htm

Thesaurus

Authorities (44 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Authority. Multi-Version Concordance
Authorities (44 Occurrences). Luke 12:11 When they ...
/a/authorities.htm - 19k

Manners (6 Occurrences)
... 7:27) according to Septuagint, and so Chrysostom"; the English Revised Version text,
same as the King James Version margin "Many ancient authorities read `bear ...
/m/manners.htm - 17k

Exactors (8 Occurrences)
... pains; (YLT). Exodus 5:6 And Pharaoh commandeth, on that day, the exactors
among the people and its authorities, saying, (YLT). Exodus 5 ...
/e/exactors.htm - 9k

Have (53575 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:31), "all that is mine"; for "we have peace with God" (Romans 5:1) the English
Revised Version has "let us have," margin "some authorities read we have ...
/h/have.htm - 10k

Manner (351 Occurrences)
... 7:27) according to Septuagint, and so Chrysostom"; the English Revised Version text,
same as the King James Version margin "Many ancient authorities read `bear ...
/m/manner.htm - 45k

Sadducees (14 Occurrences)
... Etymologies. Probably from Zadok the High Priest 2. Authorities: New Testament,
Josephus, Talmud (primary), Church Fathers (secondary) II. ...
/s/sadducees.htm - 31k

Essenes
...AUTHORITIES FOR THE TENETS OF THE ESSENES 1. Philo (1) Description from Quod Omnis
Probus Liber (2) Description from Quotation in Eusebius, Preposition Evang. ...
/e/essenes.htm - 38k

Pharisees (86 Occurrences)
... far'-i-sez (perushim; Pharisaioi): 1. Name and General Character 2. Authorities-
Josephus-New Testament-Talmud I. HISTORY OF THE SECT 1. Associated at First ...
/p/pharisees.htm - 66k

Bel (3 Occurrences)
... TEXTUAL AUTHORITIES 1. Manuscripts (1) Greek (2) Syriac 2. Recensions or Versions
(1) Greek (2) Syriac (3) Latin (4) Aramaic V. ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: PRINCIPAL ...
/b/bel.htm - 39k

Dragon (20 Occurrences)
... TEXTUAL AUTHORITIES 1. Manuscripts (1) Greek (2) Syriac 2. Recensions or Versions
(1) Greek (2) Syriac (3) Latin (4) Aramaic V. ORIGINAL LANGUAGE: PRINCIPAL ...
/d/dragon.htm - 56k

Resources

What are principalities and powers? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the Roman Empire in biblical history? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about government? | GotQuestions.org

Authorities: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Authorities (44 Occurrences)

Luke 12:11
When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don't be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say;
(WEB ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 7:26
Behold, he speaks openly, and they say nothing to him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is truly the Christ?
(See RSV NIV)

John 7:48
Have any of the rulers believed in him, or of the Pharisees?
(See RSV)

John 12:42
Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn't confess it, so that they wouldn't be put out of the synagogue,
(See RSV)

Acts 4:23
And when they had been made free, they came back to their friends, and gave an account of all the things which the chief priests and the authorities had said to them.
(BBE)

Acts 16:19
But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
(See NAS NIV)

Acts 16:20
And when they had taken them before the authorities, they said, These men, who are Jews, are greatly troubling our town;
(BBE)

Acts 16:22
And the people made an attack on them all together: and the authorities took their clothing off them, and gave orders for them to be whipped.
(BBE)

Acts 16:35
But when it was day, the authorities sent the police, saying, Let these men go.
(BBE)

Acts 16:36
And the keeper said to Paul, The authorities have given orders to let you go: come out now, and go in peace.
(BBE)

Acts 16:38
And the police gave an account of these words to the authorities, and they were full of fear on hearing that they were Romans;
(BBE)

Acts 17:6
When they didn't find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the rulers of the city, crying, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
(See NAS RSV)

Acts 17:8
The multitude and the rulers of the city were troubled when they heard these things.
(See NAS RSV)

Acts 23:15
So now, will you and the Sanhedrin make a request to the military authorities to have him sent down to you, as if you were desiring to go into the business in greater detail; and we, before ever he gets to you, will be waiting to put him to death.
(BBE)

Romans 13:1
Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.
(WEB DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 13:2
so that he who is setting himself against the authority, against God's ordinance hath resisted; and those resisting, to themselves shall receive judgment.
(See RSV)

Romans 13:5
So put yourselves under the authority, not for fear of wrath, but because you have the knowledge of what is right.
(See NIV)

Romans 13:6
For the same reason, make payment of taxes; because the authority is God's servant, to take care of such things at all times.
(See RSV NIV)

Ephesians 3:10
concealed in order that the Church might now be used to display to the powers and authorities in the heavenly realms the innumerable aspects of God's wisdom.
(WEY BBE DBY YLT NAS NIV)

Ephesians 6:12
For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against authorities and powers, against the world-rulers of this dark night, against the spirits of evil in the heavens.
(BBE DBY YLT NIV)

Colossians 1:16
For by him all things were made, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, authorities, lords, rulers, and powers; all things were made by him and for him;
(BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Colossians 2:15
Having made himself free from the rule of authorities and powers, he put them openly to shame, glorying over them in it.
(BBE DBY YLT NAS NIV)

Titus 3:1
Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
(WEB ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Peter 3:22
who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jude 1:8
In the same way these dreamers make the flesh unclean, having no respect for authorities, and say evil of rulers.
(BBE)

Revelation 9:19
for their authorities are in their mouth, and in their tails, for their tails 'are' like serpents, having heads, and with them they do injure;
(YLT)

Exodus 5:6
And Pharaoh commandeth, on that day, the exactors among the people and its authorities, saying,
(YLT)

Exodus 5:10
And the exactors of the people, and its authorities, go out, and speak unto the people, saying, 'Thus said Pharaoh, I do not give you straw,
(YLT)

Exodus 5:14
And the authorities of the sons of Israel, whom the exactors of Pharaoh have placed over them, are beaten, saying, 'Wherefore have ye not completed your portion in making brick as heretofore, both yesterday and to-day?'
(YLT)

Exodus 5:15
And the authorities of the sons of Israel come in and cry unto Pharaoh, saying, 'Why dost thou thus to thy servants?
(YLT)

Exodus 5:19
And the authorities of the sons of Israel see them in affliction, saying, 'Ye do not diminish from your bricks; the matter of a day in its day.'
(YLT)

Numbers 11:16
And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou hast known that they are elders of the people, and its authorities; and thou hast taken them unto the tent of meeting, and they have stationed themselves there with thee,
(YLT)

Deuteronomy 1:15
And I take the heads of your tribes, men, wise and known, and I appoint them heads over you, princes of thousands, and princes of hundreds, and princes of fifties, and princes of tens, and authorities, for your tribes.
(YLT)

Deuteronomy 16:18
Judges and authorities thou dost make to thee within all thy gates which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee, for thy tribes; and they have judged the people -- a righteous judgment.
(YLT)

Deuteronomy 20:5
And the authorities have spoken unto the people, saying, Who 'is' the man that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? -- let him go and turn back to his house, lest he die in battle, and another man dedicate it.
(YLT)

Deuteronomy 20:8
And the authorities have added to speak unto the people, and said, Who 'is' the man that is afraid and tender of heart? -- let him go and turn back to his house, and the heart of his brethren doth not melt like his heart;
(YLT)

Deuteronomy 20:9
and it hath come to pass as the authorities finish to speak unto the people, that they have appointed princes of the hosts at the head of the people.
(YLT)

Deuteronomy 29:10
Ye are standing to-day, all of you, before Jehovah your God -- your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your authorities -- every man of Israel;
(YLT)

Deuteronomy 31:28
Assemble unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your authorities, and I speak in their ears these words, and cause to testify against them the heavens and the earth,
(YLT)

Joshua 1:10
And Joshua commandeth the authorities of the people, saying,
(YLT)

Joshua 3:2
And it cometh to pass, at the end of three days, that the authorities pass over into the midst of the camp,
(YLT)

Joshua 8:33
And all Israel, and its elders, and authorities, and its judges, are standing on this side and on that of the ark, over-against the priests, the Levites, bearing the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, as well the sojourner as the native, half of them over-against mount Gerizim, and the half of them over-against mount Ebal, as Moses servant of Jehovah commanded to bless the people of Israel at the first.
(YLT)

Joshua 23:2
and Joshua calleth for all Israel, for its elders, and for its heads, and for its judges, and for its authorities, and saith unto them, 'I have become old; I have entered into days;
(YLT)

Joshua 24:1
And Joshua gathereth all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and calleth for the elders of Israel, and for its heads, and for its judges, and for its authorities, and they station themselves before God.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Authorities

Related Terms

Conception (6 Occurrences)

Elder (34 Occurrences)

Exercise (35 Occurrences)

Doest (53 Occurrences)

Magistrate (9 Occurrences)

Sceptre (20 Occurrences)

Authorized (6 Occurrences)

Command (442 Occurrences)

Dominion (72 Occurrences)