In the context of biblical literature, the term "sway" can be understood as the influence or control exerted by one entity over another. This concept is often explored in the Scriptures, where the sway of God, sin, or worldly powers is depicted in various narratives and teachings.

Divine Sway

The Bible frequently emphasizes the sovereign sway of God over creation and human affairs. In Psalm 103:19 , it is written, "The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all." This verse underscores the ultimate authority and control of God over the universe. The divine sway is not only a matter of power but also of righteous governance, as God’s rule is characterized by justice, mercy, and truth.

Sway of Sin

Conversely, the Scriptures also speak of the sway of sin over humanity. In Romans 6:12 , Paul warns, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires." Here, sin is personified as a ruler that seeks to exert control over individuals, leading them away from righteousness. The sway of sin is depicted as a corrupting force that enslaves and deceives, necessitating divine intervention for liberation.

Worldly Sway

The Bible also addresses the sway of worldly powers and influences. In 1 John 5:19 , it is stated, "We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the sway of the evil one." This passage highlights the pervasive influence of evil in the world, suggesting that the systems and values of the world are often in opposition to God’s will. Believers are called to resist this sway and remain steadfast in their faith.

Sway in Human Relationships

In human relationships, sway can refer to the influence one person holds over another. The Bible provides guidance on how such influence should be exercised. In Ephesians 5:21 , Paul instructs, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This mutual submission is a form of sway that is rooted in love and respect, reflecting the character of Christ.

Sway in Leadership

Biblical leadership is another area where the concept of sway is relevant. Leaders are called to exercise their influence with humility and service. Jesus taught in Mark 10:42-45 , "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all." Here, Jesus redefines sway in leadership as service rather than domination.

Conclusion

The concept of sway in the Bible encompasses divine authority, the corrupting influence of sin, the pervasive power of worldly systems, and the dynamics of human relationships and leadership. Each of these aspects calls for discernment and alignment with God’s will, as believers navigate the various influences in their lives.1. (v. i.) To move or wield with the hand; to swing; to wield; as, to sway the scepter.

2. (v. i.) To influence or direct by power and authority; by persuasion, or by moral force; to rule; to govern; to guide.

3. (v. i.) To cause to incline or swing to one side, or backward and forward; to bias; to turn; to bend; warp; as, reeds swayed by wind; judgment swayed by passion.

4. (v. i.) To hoist; as, to sway up the yards.

5. (v. i.) To be drawn to one side by weight or influence; to lean; to incline.

6. (v. i.) To move or swing from side to side; or backward and forward.

7. (v. i.) To have weight or influence.

8. (v. i.) To bear sway; to rule; to govern.

9. (n.) The act of swaying; a swaying motion; the swing or sweep of a weapon.

10. (n.) Influence, weight, or authority that inclines to one side; as, the sway of desires.

11. (n.) Preponderance; turn or cast of balance.

12. (n.) Rule; dominion; control.

13. (n.) A switch or rod used by thatchers to bind their work.

2678. kataseio -- to shake
... beckon. From kata and seio; to sway downward, ie Make a signal -- beckon. see
GREEK kata. see GREEK seio. (kataseisas) -- 3 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2678.htm - 6k

5468. chalinagogeo -- to lead with a bridle
... Verb Transliteration: chalinagogeo Phonetic Spelling: (khal-in-ag-ogue-eh'-o) Short
Definition: I bridle, curb Definition: I bridle, curb, restrain, sway. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5468.htm - 6k

3823. pale -- wrestling, generally fight
... conflict" (Souter). Word Origin from pallo (to sway) Definition wrestling,
generally fight NASB Word Usage struggle (1). struggle. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3823.htm - 6k

Again, when it Becomes Necessary to Stir and Sway the Hearer's ...
... Book 4 Chapter 58. Again, when it becomes necessary to stir and sway the
hearer's mind by the? 58. Again, when it becomes necessary ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 58 again when it.htm

What, Then, under These Circumstances is Justice? it is the not ...
... What, then, under these circumstances is justice? It is the not exercising any
arbitrary sway? What, then, under these circumstances is justice? ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xxii what then under.htm

Thou Didst Seek the Gloom,
... Resting in the tomb". On that dark and woful day,. Hades owned Thy kingly sway.
II. Victor! ... On that glad and glorious day,. Hades owned Thy kingly sway. III. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the greek church/thou didst seek the gloom.htm

How it is that Spiritual Wickednesses Obtained the Names of Powers ...
... expounded above, why they are called principalities or powers; viz., because they
rule and preside over different nations, and at least hold sway over inferior ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xiv how it is.htm

Paul's Estimate of Himself
... You may try to sway him by motives of advantage and self-interest, and to thunder
into his ears the pealing words of duty and right and 'ought,' and there is ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/pauls estimate of himself.htm

Commandment Twelfth. On the Twofold Desire. The Commandments of ...
... not ask of the Lord that strength may be given him for these commandments, and that
he may be subject to them; but the devil is hard, and holds sway over them ...
/.../the pastor books first second third/commandment twelfth on the twofold.htm

The Third Theological Oration.
... For, they say, if it was involuntarily He was under the sway of some one, and who
exercised this sway? And how is He, over whom it is exercised, God? ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxix the third theological.htm

The City of Benares.
... For many a day it was subject to Kunauj, and it afterwards came under the sway of
the Muhammadans, to whom it was subject for six hundred years. ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter vii the city of.htm

Missionary Hymns.
... Win and conquer, never cease; May thy lasting wide dominion Multiply and still increase.
Sway Thy scepter, Saviour, all the world around! THE TUNE. ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter iv missionary hymns.htm

Morning Hymn
... Now each to earnest life awakes, Now each his wanton sport forsakes; Now
foolish things are put away And gravity resumes her sway. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/ii morning hymn.htm

Sway (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To move or wield with the hand; to swing; to wield;
as, to sway the scepter. ... 4. (vi) To hoist; as, to sway up the yards. ...
/s/sway.htm - 9k

Swayed (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Sway. 2. (a.) Bent down, and hollow
in the back; sway-backed; -- said of a horse. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/s/swayed.htm - 8k

Kingly (7 Occurrences)
... Romans 5:21 in order that as sin has exercised kingly sway in inflicting death,
so grace, too, may exercise kingly sway in bestowing a righteousness which ...
/k/kingly.htm - 10k

Inflicting (4 Occurrences)
... Romans 5:21 in order that as sin has exercised kingly sway in inflicting death,
so grace, too, may exercise kingly sway in bestowing a righteousness which ...
/i/inflicting.htm - 7k

Rock (176 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) To cause to sway backward and forward, as a body resting on a support beneath;
as, to rock a cradle or chair; to cause to vibrate; to cause to reel or ...
/r/rock.htm - 49k

Results (16 Occurrences)
... Romans 5:21 in order that as sin has exercised kingly sway in inflicting death,
so grace, too, may exercise kingly sway in bestowing a righteousness which ...
/r/results.htm - 11k

Exercised (20 Occurrences)
... Romans 5:21 in order that as sin has exercised kingly sway in inflicting death,
so grace, too, may exercise kingly sway in bestowing a righteousness which ...
/e/exercised.htm - 12k

Bestowing (2 Occurrences)
... Romans 5:21 in order that as sin has exercised kingly sway in inflicting death,
so grace, too, may exercise kingly sway in bestowing a righteousness which ...
/b/bestowing.htm - 7k

Command (442 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To direct to come; to bestow. 6. (vi) To have or to exercise direct authority;
to govern; to sway; to influence; to give an order or orders. ...
/c/command.htm - 36k

Spirituality
... the heart (Romans 5:5). Spirituality sets the affections on things above and brings
the entire emotional nature under the regulating and redeeming sway of the ...
/s/spirituality.htm - 9k

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