Definition and Scope:
Governing refers to the act of exercising authority, control, and administration over a group of people, organization, or nation. In the biblical context, governing encompasses the leadership and management of God's people, whether through kings, judges, or other appointed leaders. It involves the implementation of laws, maintenance of order, and guidance of the community in accordance with divine principles.

Biblical Foundations:
The concept of governing is deeply rooted in the Bible, where God is depicted as the ultimate ruler and sovereign over all creation. Human governance is seen as a reflection of divine order, with leaders appointed to execute God's will on earth.

Old Testament Examples:
1. Moses and the Judges: Moses is one of the earliest examples of a divinely appointed leader, tasked with governing the Israelites and delivering God's laws (Exodus 18:13-26). The period of the Judges, as described in the Book of Judges, illustrates a decentralized form of governance where leaders were raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression and lead them back to faithfulness.

2. The Monarchy: The establishment of the monarchy in Israel marked a significant development in governance. Saul, David, and Solomon were the first three kings, each anointed by God to lead His people. David, in particular, is noted for his heart after God and his role in uniting the tribes of Israel (1 Samuel 13:14, 2 Samuel 5:1-5).

3. The Law: The Mosaic Law provided a comprehensive framework for governance, covering religious, civil, and moral aspects of life. Deuteronomy 17:18-20 emphasizes the importance of the king writing a copy of the law to ensure just and righteous rule.

New Testament Insights:
1. Jesus Christ: Jesus is presented as the ultimate King and ruler, whose kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). His teachings emphasize servant leadership and the inversion of worldly power structures (Mark 10:42-45).

2. Apostolic Leadership: The early church was governed by apostles and elders who provided spiritual oversight and guidance. Acts 15 describes the Jerusalem Council, where church leaders gathered to resolve doctrinal disputes, demonstrating a model of collective governance.

3. Submission to Authorities: The New Testament instructs believers to submit to governing authorities, recognizing their role as God's servants for maintaining order and justice (Romans 13:1-7). This passage underscores the belief that all authority is established by God.

Principles of Godly Governance:
1. Justice and Righteousness: Biblical governance is characterized by justice and righteousness, reflecting God's own nature (Psalm 89:14). Leaders are called to uphold these values in their administration.

2. Servant Leadership: Leaders are to serve those they govern, prioritizing the welfare of the community over personal gain (Matthew 20:25-28).

3. Accountability to God: Those in positions of authority are ultimately accountable to God for their actions and decisions (Hebrews 13:17).

4. Wisdom and Discernment: Effective governance requires wisdom and discernment, qualities that are often sought through prayer and reliance on God's guidance (James 1:5).

Challenges and Failures:
The Bible also records instances of failed governance, where leaders deviated from God's commands, leading to corruption and downfall. The reigns of kings like Saul and Ahab serve as warnings against disobedience and idolatry (1 Samuel 15:22-23, 1 Kings 16:30-33).

Conclusion:
While the Bible provides a framework for understanding governance, it ultimately points to the sovereignty of God as the supreme ruler. Human governance is a temporary stewardship, meant to reflect divine justice and order until the fulfillment of God's kingdom.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Govern.

2. (a.) Holding the superiority; prevalent; controlling; as, a governing wind; a governing party in a state.

3. (a.) Requiring a particular case.

2941. kubernesis -- steering, government, administration
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: kubernesis Phonetic Spelling:
(koo-ber'-nay-sis) Short Definition: governing, government Definition: (lit ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2941.htm - 7k

2596. kata -- down, against, according to
... 2596 (a preposition, governing two grammatical cases) -- properly, "down from, ie
from a higher to a lower plane, with special reference to the terminus (end ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2596.htm - 9k

1398. douleuo -- to be a slave, to serve
... Cognate: 1398 (from 1401 ) -- properly, to serve as a , having assigned to ;
(figuratively) to give over the prerogative to be -governing. See 1401 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1398.htm - 8k

5242. huperecho -- to hold above, to rise above, to be superior
... Word Origin from huper and echo Definition to hold above, to rise above, to be superior
NASB Word Usage authority (1), governing (1), more important (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5242.htm - 7k

7990. shallit -- having mastery, ruling
... Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to shallit Definition having mastery, ruling NASB
Word Usage allowed (1), authority (1), commander (1), governing (1), ruler (5 ...
/hebrew/7990.htm - 6k

Psalm 66:1. First Part. Governing Power and Goodness; Or, Our ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 66:1. First Part. Governing power
and goodness; or, Our graces tried by afflictions. 1 Sing ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 66 1 0 first part governing.htm

Psalm 66 Part 1 Governing Power and Goodness; Or, Our Graces Tried ...
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 66 PART 1 Governing power and goodness; or, Our
graces tried by afflictions. CM Governing power and goodness ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 66 part 1 governing.htm

By what Steps the Passion for Governing Increased among the Romans ...
... The City of God.Book I. Chapter 31."By What Steps the Passion for Governing
Increased Among the Romans. For at what stage would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 31 by what steps the.htm

Whether in the Church There Can be Anyone Above the Bishops?
... Wherefore above the governing power which aims at a particular good there must be
a universal governing power in respect of the common good, otherwise there ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the church there.htm

Presbyters or Bishops. The Angels of the Seven Churches. James of ...
... Sennatus, gerousia (comp. our " Senate," "Alderman"), for the members of
the governing body of a municipality or state. Aged and ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 61 presbyters or bishops.htm

On Divine Providence
... can receive, in this our infant state of existence; or, at least, as is consistent
with the designs of his government) of his manner of governing the world. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 67 on divine providence.htm

A Liberal Education: and Where to Find It.
... And, if ignorance of everything which it is needful a ruler should know is likely
to do so much harm in the governing classes of the future, why is it, they ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/iii a liberal education and.htm

Celts and Celtophiles
... interesting to lunatics. It would have been wiser for the English governing
class to have called upon some other god. All other ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xiii celts and celtophiles.htm

Sovereignty of God in Administration
... Surely every reader now sees the point we are seeking to make: Deny that God is
governing matter, deny that He is "upholding all things by the word of His power ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter three sovereignty of god.htm

Carey's Christian University for the People of India
... The Danish charter"The British treaty"Growth of native Christian community"Lord
Minto's concession of self-governing privileges"Madras Decennial ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xv careys christian university.htm

Governing (6 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Govern. 2. (a.) Holding the superiority; prevalent; controlling; as,
a governing wind; a governing party in a state. ...Governing (6 Occurrences). ...
/g/governing.htm - 8k

Rule (291 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) That which is prescribed or laid down as a guide for conduct or action;
a governing direction for a specific purpose; an authoritative enactment; a ...
/r/rule.htm - 39k

Member (20 Occurrences)
... The members are not self-governing, but execute the orders of the mind, obeying
either the lower nature in the commission of sin or iniquity, unrighteousness ...
/m/member.htm - 17k

Evolution
... social activity and religion. The idea of a law of orderly change governing
all things is not a new one. Historians of science find ...
/e/evolution.htm - 39k

Governed (8 Occurrences)

/g/governed.htm - 8k

Government (20 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of governing; the exercise of authority; the administration of laws;
control; direction; regulation; as, civil, church, or family government. ...
/g/government.htm - 50k

Younger (39 Occurrences)
... Luke 22:26 But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become
as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. ...
/y/younger.htm - 18k

Neighbor (123 Occurrences)
... central position to the injunction to love one's neighbor as one's self (James
2:8, where is is called the "royal law" ie the supreme or governing law; Romans ...
/n/neighbor.htm - 41k

Judaeus
... an oriental mystic by accident of residence, a Greek humanist by higher education
and professional study, an ally of the Roman governing classes, familiar with ...
/j/judaeus.htm - 29k

Leading (101 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The act of guiding, directing, governing, or enticing; guidance. 5. (n.)
Suggestion; hint; example. Multi-Version Concordance Leading (101 Occurrences). ...
/l/leading.htm - 36k

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