Lexical Summary exousiazó: To exercise authority, to have power over, to control Original Word: ἐξουσιάζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance exercise authority upon, bring under the power of. From exousia; to control -- exercise authority upon, bring under the (have) power of. see GREEK exousia HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1850 eksousiázō (from 1849 /eksousía, "delegated power," see there) – having authority to act; "empowered because authorized." See 1849 (eksousia). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom exousia Definition to exercise authority over NASB Translation have authority over (3), mastered (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1850: ἐξουσιάζωἐξουσιάζω; 1 future passive ἐξουσιασθήσομαι; (ἐξουσία); equivalent to ἐξουσίαν ἔχω, to have power or authority, use power: (ἐν πλείοσι ἐξουσιάζειν πολλῶν μοναρχιων, Aristotle, eth. Eud. 1, 5, p. 1216a, 2); ἐν ἀτιμοις, Dionysius Halicarnassus, Antiquities 9, 44; τίνος, to be master of anyone, exercise authority over one, Luke 22:25; τοῦ σώματος, to be master of the body, i. e. to have full and entire authority over the body, to hold the body subject to one's will, 1 Corinthians 7:4. Passive followed by ὑπό τίνος, to be brought under the power of anyone, 1 Corinthians 6:12. (the Sept. several times in Nehemiah and Ecclesiastes, chiefly for מָשַׁל and שָׁלַט.) (Compare: κατεξουσιάζω.) Topical Lexicon Scope and Sense of ἐξουσιάζωThough used only four times, ἐξουσιάζω supplies a key lens for grasping how Scripture evaluates the use and abuse of authority. The verb denotes the act of exercising power, holding sway, or claiming control over persons or things. In each setting the Spirit-inspired authors probe whether that control is godly or distorted. Occurrences and Contexts • 1 Corinthians 6:12 — Paul agrees that “All things are lawful for me,” yet immediately warns, “I will not be mastered by anything.” Liberty in Christ must never become bondage to appetite or habit. Biblical Themes Authority under God Every instance reminds readers that human authority is derivative. Genuine dominion functions within the boundaries established by the Creator; when those limits are crossed, authority mutates into domination. Christian Liberty and Self-Mastery In Corinth, some believers invoked freedom to justify indulgence. Paul replies that the gospel frees the believer from sin’s mastery rather than licensing new forms of slavery. True liberty includes the Spirit-enabled capacity to refuse whatever seeks to rule the heart (Romans 6:14; Galatians 5:13). Mutuality in Marriage The double use in 1 Corinthians 7:4 is striking. Paul overturns ancient patriarchal assumptions by granting equal, reciprocal authority over one another’s bodies. Within covenant marriage, authority is expressed through self-sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:25) and mutual consent (1 Corinthians 7:5). Servant Leadership Luke 22:25 sits within the Upper Room discourse where the disciples argue about greatness. Jesus answers by redefining power: “the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves” (Luke 22:26). Kingdom leadership renounces coercion, embracing the cross-shaped pattern modeled by Christ (Philippians 2:5-8). Historical Background In Greco-Roman society ἐξουσιάζω described civic magistrates, household patriarchs, and slave owners—figures whose authority was usually unilateral. Paul and Luke write into that milieu, challenging believers to display a radically different ethic. The earliest Christian communities, composed of free and slave, Jew and Gentile, male and female, needed clear instruction on how redeemed people wield power. Ministry Implications Personal Discipleship Believers examine habits, possessions, and desires, asking whether any “exercise authority” over them. Fasting, accountability, and regular self-examination guard against subtle enslavement. Marriage and Family Pastors counsel couples that biblical headship never licenses domination; instead, both spouses steward their bodies and resources for the other’s good. Mutual authority strengthens intimacy and safeguards against exploitation. Church Leadership Elders and ministry leaders heed Jesus’ warning in Luke 22:25. Influence is earned through humble service, not asserted through title or charisma. Governance structures should foster transparency and shared decision-making. Culture and Society Christians engage civic life aware that positions of power are trusts from God. Public officials, employers, and teachers steward authority for common flourishing, mindful that they too are under authority (Romans 13:1-4; Colossians 4:1). Intertextual Connections • ἐξουσία, the noun form, permeates the New Testament, describing both demonic and civil powers as well as Christ’s own supreme authority (Matthew 28:18). Christ, the True Authority Ultimately, Jesus embodies perfect authority: He calms seas, forgives sins, and commands legions of angels, yet He washes feet and dies for His enemies. His resurrection vindicates His right to rule and liberates those who trust Him from every lesser mastery. Summary ἐξουσιάζω confronts disciples with a choice: be ruled by selfish desires or submit every sphere—body, marriage, ministry, society—to the gentle, liberating lordship of Jesus Christ. Wherever believers resist domination and practice servant-hearted authority, the gospel’s transformative power becomes visible. Forms and Transliterations εξουσιαζει εξουσιάζει ἐξουσιάζει εξουσιάζεται εξουσιάζοντας εξουσιαζοντες εξουσιάζοντες ἐξουσιάζοντες εξουσιάζοντος εξουσιαζόντων εξουσιάζουσι εξουσιάζων εξουσιάσαντες εξουσιάσατο εξουσιάσει εξουσίασεν εξουσιασθησομαι εξουσιασθήσομαι ἐξουσιασθήσομαι εξουσιαστής exousiasthesomai exousiasthēsomai exousiasthḗsomai exousiazei exousiázei exousiazontes exousiázontesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 22:25 V-PPA-NMPGRK: καὶ οἱ ἐξουσιάζοντες αὐτῶν εὐεργέται NAS: them; and those who have authority over them are called KJV: and they that exercise authority upon them INT: and those exercising authority over them benefactors 1 Corinthians 6:12 V-FIP-1S 1 Corinthians 7:4 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 7:4 V-PIA-3S Strong's Greek 1850 |
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