Anarchy: General Scriptures Concerning
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Anarchy, defined as the absence of order or government, is a concept that stands in contrast to the biblical principles of order, authority, and governance established by God. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into the consequences and spiritual implications of anarchy, emphasizing the importance of divine order and the dangers of lawlessness.

Judges 21:25
"In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
This verse from the Book of Judges highlights a period in Israel's history characterized by a lack of centralized authority, leading to moral and social chaos. The absence of a king resulted in each person acting according to their own judgment, often leading to actions contrary to God's laws.

Proverbs 29:18
"Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law."
Proverbs underscores the necessity of divine guidance and vision. Without adherence to God's law, people tend to abandon restraint, resulting in disorder and anarchy. The verse contrasts this with the blessing that comes from obedience to God's commandments.

Romans 13:1-2
"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."
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, affirms the divine origin of governmental authority. Anarchy, as a rejection of established authority, is seen as opposition to God's ordained structure, leading to divine judgment.

1 Peter 2:13-14
"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 those who do wrong and to commend those who do right."
Peter instructs believers to submit to human institutions as a reflection of their submission to God. This submission is not merely for the sake of order but is an act of obedience to God's will, recognizing the role of authorities in maintaining justice and order.

Isaiah 3:4-5
"I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them. The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, the base against the honorable."
Isaiah prophesies a time of social upheaval and disorder as a consequence of poor leadership and the rejection of God's authority. This passage illustrates the chaos and oppression that result when God's order is disregarded.

2 Thessalonians 2:7
"For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way."
Paul speaks of a "mystery of lawlessness" that is at work in the world, restrained by divine intervention. This lawlessness, akin to anarchy, is a spiritual force opposed to God's order, ultimately culminating in the end times.

Matthew 24:12
"Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold."
Jesus warns of a time when increasing lawlessness will lead to a decline in love and moral integrity. This prediction underscores the destructive impact of anarchy on human relationships and society.

The biblical perspective on anarchy is clear: it is a state contrary to God's design for human society. The Scriptures consistently advocate for order, submission to authority, and adherence to divine law as essential components of a just and peaceful community.
Nave's Topical Index
Isaiah 3:5-8
And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbor: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honorable.
Nave's Topical Index

Galatians 5:13,14
For, brothers, you have been called to liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Peter 2:10-19
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
Nave's Topical Index

Jude 1:8-13
Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Congregationalists.
... from Independency to anarchy, and from anarchy to dissolution ... of Government ratified
by the General Assembly of ... agreeably to the Holy Scriptures, and submitting ...
/.../ 101 the congregationalists.htm

God is Our Refuge
... had fallen upon them, and a general peace had ... that perpetual divine providence which
the Scriptures call "the ... in despair at their own inward anarchy, to commit ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxii god is our.htm

The Bible and the French Revolution.
... And to add to the general misery, the ... and civilization was almost extinguished in
anarchy and license.". ... thus granting toleration to the Scriptures, was adopted ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /15 the bible and the.htm

The Bible and the French Revolution
... And to add to the general misery, the ... and civilization was almost extinguished in
anarchy and license.". ... thus granting toleration to the Scriptures, was adopted ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 15 the bible and.htm

Sovereignty of God in Administration
... to hinder earth-wide lawlessness and universal anarchy? ... the above declaration is
of general application-it ... is to repudiate other Scriptures equally explicit. ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter three sovereignty of god.htm

ii.
... Princes consolidated itself more and more amidst the general anarchy. ... The German
people in general had no power ... of his error through the Scriptures, was the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/first principles of the reformation/ii.htm

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... of Ezra with regard to the Scriptures are deduced not ... after he prophesied, because
the general consciousness that ... of the persecution and anarchy prevailing in ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm

Covenant Duties.
... to legislate against all evil denounced in the Scriptures. ... those who bear rule, are
in general viewed as ... from the effects of tyranny and anarchy, whether from ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

Rationalism and Its Effects
... from the temporal dangers of religious anarchy, and to ... assemblies for the study of
the Scriptures, for the ... means of redemption, and for a general revival of ...
/.../chapter viii rationalism and its.htm

The Bible
... corroboratively speaking of these very Scriptures of the ... who remained alive after
the general slaughter were ... or Democracy, there remains only anarchy, or power ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/the bible.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about lawlessness? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that sin is lawlessness? | GotQuestions.org

Who is the man of lawlessness in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 12? | GotQuestions.org

Lawlessness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Anarchy: General Scriptures Concerning

Lawlessness

Related Terms

Beth-anath (2 Occurrences)

Ta'anath-shi'loh (1 Occurrence)

Shamgar (2 Occurrences)

Bethanath (2 Occurrences)

Beth-shemesh (19 Occurrences)

Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences)

Shemesh (24 Occurrences)

Taanath-shiloh (1 Occurrence)

Anathema (6 Occurrences)

Beth (115 Occurrences)

Naphtalites (1 Occurrence)

Naph'tali (47 Occurrences)

Laborers (19 Occurrences)

Taskwork (14 Occurrences)

Tributary (9 Occurrences)

Bethanoth (1 Occurrence)

Bethshemesh (19 Occurrences)

Expel (29 Occurrences)

Dispossessed (42 Occurrences)

Forced (84 Occurrences)

Drove (89 Occurrences)

Dwelleth (142 Occurrences)

Nevertheless (153 Occurrences)

Labor (181 Occurrences)

Subject (99 Occurrences)

Driving (144 Occurrences)

Inhabitants (254 Occurrences)

Naphtali (51 Occurrences)

Yiron (1 Occurrence)

Nineteen (3 Occurrences)

Unoccupied (4 Occurrences)

Ox-stick (1 Occurrence)

Ox-goad (2 Occurrences)

Oxgoad (1 Occurrence)

Jiron (1 Occurrence)

Ja'el (6 Occurrences)

Goad (2 Occurrences)

Winding (4 Occurrences)

Travelers (6 Occurrences)

Taanathshiloh (1 Occurrence)

Travellers (8 Occurrences)

Taarea (1 Occurrence)

Roundabout (3 Occurrences)

Roads (34 Occurrences)

El (8 Occurrences)

Deserted (54 Occurrences)

Migdal (3 Occurrences)

Migdal-el (1 Occurrence)

Mig'dal-el (1 Occurrence)

Paths (65 Occurrences)

Byways (2 Occurrences)

By-ways (1 Occurrence)

Beth-anoth (1 Occurrence)

Crooked (31 Occurrences)

Caravans (5 Occurrences)

Abandoned (45 Occurrences)

Ananiel

Saveth (36 Occurrences)

Unwalled (39 Occurrences)

Drive (132 Occurrences)

Horem (1 Occurrence)

Canaanite (74 Occurrences)

Jael (6 Occurrences)

Ceased (80 Occurrences)

Smiteth (156 Occurrences)

Slew (206 Occurrences)

Villages (106 Occurrences)

Walked (178 Occurrences)

Saviour (157 Occurrences)

Hamlets (38 Occurrences)

Canaanites (63 Occurrences)

Iron (104 Occurrences)

Highways (14 Occurrences)

Six (198 Occurrences)

Smote (281 Occurrences)

Proper (62 Occurrences)

Philistines (224 Occurrences)

Ananiel
Top of Page
Top of Page