Lexical Summary exousia: Authority, power, right, jurisdiction Original Word: ἐξουσία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance authority, jurisdiction, liberty, powerFrom exesti (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence -- authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength. see GREEK exesti HELPS Word-studies 1849 eksousía (from 1537 /ek, "out from," which intensifies 1510 /eimí, "to be, being as a right or privilege") – authority, conferred power; delegated empowerment ("authorization"), operating in a designated jurisdiction. In the NT, 1849 /eksousía ("delegated power") refers to the authority God gives to His saints – authorizing them to act to the extent they are guided by faith (His revealed word). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom exesti Definition power to act, authority NASB Translation authorities (7), authority (65), charge (1), control (1), domain (2), dominion (1), jurisdiction (1), liberty (1), power (11), powers (1), right (11). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1849: ἐξουσίαἐξουσία, ἐξουσίας, ἡ (from ἔξεστι, ἐξόν, which see), from Euripides, Xenophon, Plato down; the Sept. for מֶמְשָׁלָה and Chaldean שָׁלְטָן; power. 1. power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases; leave or permission: 1 Corinthians 9:12, 18; ἔχειν ἐξουσίαν, 2 Thessalonians 3:9; with an infinitive added indicating the thing to be done, John 10:18; 1 Corinthians 9:4; Hebrews 13:10 (WH brackets ἐξουσία); followed by an infinitive with τοῦ, 1 Corinthians 9:6 (L T Tr WH omit τοῦ); with a genitive of the thing or the person with regard to which one has the power to decide: Romans 9:21 (where an explanatory infinitive is added (Buttmann, 260 (224))); 1 Corinthians 9:12; ἐπί τό ξύλον τῆς ζωῆς, permission to use the tree of life, Revelation 22:14 (see ἐπί, C. I. 2 e.); ἐξουσίαν ἔχειν περί τοῦ ἰδίου θελήματος (opposed to ἀνάγκην ἔχειν (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 30, 3 N. 5)), 1 Corinthians 7:37; ἐν τῇ ἰδίᾳ ἐξουσία (appointed, see τίθημι, 1 a. sub at the end) according to his own choice, Acts 1:7; ἐν τῇ σῇ ἐξουσία ὑπῆρχεν, i. e. at thy free disposal, Acts 5:4; used of liberty under the gospel, as opposed to the yoke of the Mosaic law, 1 Corinthians 8:9. 2. "physical and mental power; the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises": Matthew 9:8; Acts 8:19; Revelation 9:3, 19; Revelation 13:2, 4; Revelation 18:1; followed by an infinitive of the thing to be done, Mark 3:15; Luke 12:5; John 1:12; Revelation 9:10; Revelation 11:6; Revelation 13:5; followed by τοῦ with the infinitive Luke 10:19; αὕτη ἐστιν ἡ ἐξουσία τοῦ σκότους, this is the power that darkness exerts, Luke 22:53; ποιεῖν ἐξουσίαν to exert power, give exhibitions of power, Revelation 13:12; ἐν ἐξουσία εἶναι, to be possessed of power and influence, Luke 4:32; also ἐξουσίαν ἔχειν (both expressions refer to the ability and weight which Jesus exhibited in his teaching) Matthew 7:29; (Mark 1:22); κατ' ἐξουσίαν powerfully, Mark 1:27; also ἐν ἐξουσία, Luke 4:36. 3. the power of authority (influence) and of right: Matthew 21:23; Mark 11:28; Luke 20:2; spoken of the authority of an apostle, 2 Corinthians 10:8; 2 Corinthians 13:10; of the divine authority granted to Jesus as Messiah, with the infinitive of the thing to be done, Matthew 9:6; Mark 2:10; Luke 5:24; John 5:27; ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσία; clothed in what authority (i. e. thine own or God's?), Matthew 21:23, 24, 27; Mark 11:28, 29, 33; Luke 20:2, 8; delegated authority (German Vollmacht, authorization): παρά τίνος, with the genitive of the person by whom the authority is given, or received, Acts 9:14; Acts 26:10, 12 (R G). 4. the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed (generally translated authority)); a. universally: Matthew 28:18; Jude 1:25; Revelation 12:10; Revelation 17:13; λαμβάνειν, ἐξουσίαν ὡς βασιλεύς, Revelation 17:12; εἰμί ὑπό ἐξουσίαν, I am under authority, Matthew 8:9; with τασσόμενος added, (Matthew 8:9 L WH brackets); Luke 7:8; ἐξουσία τίνος, the genitive of the object, authority (to be exercised) over, as τῶν πνευμάτων τῶν ἀκαθάρτων, Mark 6:7; with ὥστε ἐκβάλλειν αὐτά added, Matthew 10:1; ἐξουσίαν πάσης σαρκός, authority over all mankind, John 17:2 (πάσης σαρκός κυρειαν, Bel and the Dragon, verse 5); (the genitive of the subject, τοῦ Σατανᾶ, Acts 26:18); ἐπί τινα, power over one, so as to be able to subdue, drive out, destroy, Revelation 6:8; ἐπί τά δαιμόνια, Luke 9:1; or to hold submissive to one's will, Revelation 13:7; ἐπί τάς πληγάς, the power to inflict plagues and to put an end to them, Revelation 16:9; ἐπί τῶν ἐθνῶν, over the heathen nations, Revelation 2:26; ἐπί τίνος, to destroy one, Revelation 20:6; ἔχειν ἐξουσίαν ἐπί τοῦ πυρός, to preside, have control, over fire, to hold it subject to his will, Revelation 14:18; ἐπί τῶν ὑδάτων, Revelation 11:6; ἐπάνω τίνος ἐξουσίαν ἔχειν, to be ruler over a thing, Luke 19:17. b. specifically, α. of the power of judicial decision; ἐξουσίαν ἔχειν with an infinitive of the thing decided: σταυρῶσαι and ἀπολῦσαι τινα, John 19:10; followed by κατά τίνος, the power of deciding against one, John 19:11; παραδοῦναι τινα ... τῇ ἐξουσία τοῦ ἡγεμόνος, Luke 20:20. β. of authority to manage domestic affairs: Mark 13:34. c. metonymically, α. a thing subject to authority or rule: Luke 4:6; jurisdiction: ἐκ τῆς ἐξουσίας ἡδωρου ἐστιν, Luke 23:7 (1 Macc. 6:11 (cf. Psalm 113:2 d. a sign of the husband's authority over his wife, i. e. the veil with which propriety required a woman to cover herself, 1 Corinthians 11:10 (as βασιλεία is used by Diodorus 1, 47 for the sign of regal power, i. e. a crown). (Synonym: see δύναμις, at the end. On the infinitive after ἐξουσία, and ἐξουσία ἔχειν cf. Buttmann, 260 (223f).) Used 102 times in the Greek New Testament, ἐξουσία describes the right, privilege, or jurisdiction to act. It traces every exercise of legitimate power back to God, who alone possesses it inherently and who delegates it according to His redemptive purposes. The Absolute Authority of God “Now to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all time and now and for all eternity. Amen.” (Jude 1:25). ἐξουσία is never autonomous; it is rooted in the eternal sovereignty of the Creator. Revelation 12:10 announces, “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ,” locating every subsequent display of authority within the reign of God Himself. Christ’s Messianic Authority After His resurrection Jesus declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” (Matthew 28:18). The incarnate Son receives and embodies divine authority (John 17:2), exercises it over life and death (John 10:18), and will consummate it in final judgment (John 5:27). The Synoptic Gospels record repeated challenges to this claim (Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:28–33; Luke 20:2–8), yet every attempt to deny it collapses under the weight of His resurrection. Authority in Teaching and Miraculous Works The crowds “were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority” (Matthew 7:29). His authoritative word expelled demons (Mark 1:27; Luke 4:36) and stilled creation. Luke 4:32 records that “His message was spoken with authority.” Every healing and exorcism validated His claim. Authority to Forgive Sins and Grant Life “So that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” (Matthew 9:6; Mark 2:10; Luke 5:24). To forgive is uniquely divine; Christ’s exercise of it displays His equality with the Father and foreshadows the cross. John 1:12 extends this liberating authority to sinners: “To all who received Him…He gave the right to become children of God.” Delegated Authority to the Apostles and the Church Jesus “gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease” (Matthew 10:1; Luke 9:1). Luke 10:19 enlarges the promise: “I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy.” Paul defends apostolic authority “for building you up and not for tearing you down” (2 Corinthians 13:10; see also 2 Corinthians 10:8). Ministry authority is derivative, pastoral, and accountable. Civil Authorities as Servants of God “Everyone must be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God” (Romans 13:1). Civil rulers are “God’s servant for your good” (Romans 13:4) and to be honored (Titus 3:1). Submission is not blind allegiance to men but conscious submission to God’s ordering of society, limited by obedience to His higher commands (Acts 5:29). Heavenly and Demonic Authorities Christ is “far above every rule and authority” (Ephesians 1:21). “By Him all things were created…whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities” (Colossians 1:16). Believers wrestle “against the rulers, against the authorities…against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Though formidable, these powers are created, limited, and already disarmed at the cross (Colossians 2:15). Authority and Christian Liberty “Be careful that this right of yours does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Corinthians 8:9). Paul surrenders legitimate rights (1 Corinthians 9:12, 18) for the sake of the gospel. True authority is expressed in self-giving love, not selfish assertion. Authority, Order, and Headship “Because of the angels, the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head” (1 Corinthians 11:10). ἐξουσία appears within Paul’s teaching on orderly worship and gender distinction, reflecting creation order and angelic observation. Misuse and Counterfeit Authority Revelation depicts satanic parody: “The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for forty-two months” (Revelation 13:5). Earthly powers may be permitted for a season, yet their borrowed authority serves God’s larger plan and will be judged (Revelation 18:1; 19:20). Eschatological Triumph over All Authorities “Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after He has destroyed every rule and every authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:24). The resurrection guarantees the final subjection of every opposing force. “They will reign with Him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6), and, in the eternal state, redeemed humanity exercises restored authority: “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life” (Revelation 22:14). Implications for Ministry and Discipleship 1. Authority is always entrusted, never owned, and must be exercised under Christ’s lordship. Every occurrence of ἐξουσία ultimately points to the One who “is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Englishman's Concordance Matthew 7:29 N-AFSGRK: αὐτοὺς ὡς ἐξουσίαν ἔχων καὶ NAS: them as [one] having authority, and not as their scribes. KJV: as [one] having authority, and not INT: them as authority having and Matthew 8:9 N-AFS Matthew 9:6 N-AFS Matthew 9:8 N-AFS Matthew 10:1 N-AFS Matthew 21:23 N-DFS Matthew 21:23 N-AFS Matthew 21:24 N-DFS Matthew 21:27 N-DFS Matthew 28:18 N-NFS Mark 1:22 N-AFS Mark 1:27 N-AFS Mark 2:10 N-AFS Mark 3:15 N-AFS Mark 6:7 N-AFS Mark 11:28 N-DFS Mark 11:28 N-AFS Mark 11:29 N-DFS Mark 11:33 N-DFS Mark 13:34 N-AFS Luke 4:6 N-AFS Luke 4:32 N-DFS Luke 4:36 N-DFS Luke 5:24 N-AFS Luke 7:8 N-AFS Strong's Greek 1849 |
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