1 Cor. 9:1-11, Exousia: Authority! (2)

In this post we will see this term as used in Paul’s Epistles.

·       Ac.1:7: times & seasons are in God's power.  Thus Jesus sits at the right hand, waiting “till I make Your enemies Your footstool” (Ps. 110:1).  All things are under His feet as He is declared King (Eph. 1:22).  Yet, Christ will subject al His enemies (1 Cor. 15:25).  Both the “now” and “not yet” involve the Father’s promise to the Son (Ps. 2:6-9).

·       Ac. 5:4: while Ananias had the money it was “under his control.”

·       Ac.8:19: Simon Magus wanted power to give H.S.

·       Ac.9:14: Paul's authority from priests to bind Christians (also 26:10,12)

·       Ac.26:18: Paul turned men from power of Satan.  Again, this is “authority.”  Heb. 2:14 says Satan had the power (strength, might) of death.

·       Rom. 9:21: the potter has power over the clay to make what he wants.

·       Rom. 13:1-3: Be subject to “governing authorities” (Titus 3:1).  No authority but from God, and those authorities are appointed by God.  Whoever resists authority resists God’s ordinance.  Do what is good and you don’t need to fear the authority.

·       1 Cor. 8:9; 9:4,5,6,12,18: Beware that our “liberty” (right) in Christ not become a stumbling block.  Paul had a right to eat and drink as he wanted, to have a wife, and to earn a living from ministry (2 Th. 3:9). He had a special right with the Corinthians, yet did not use that right so as not to hinder the gospel or abuse his authority in the gospel.

·       1 Cor. 11:10: a woman should have a symbol of authority on her head

·       1 Cor. 15:24: eventually the Father will end all rule, authority, power (dunamis).

·       2 Cor.10:8: Paul's apostolic authority (also 13:10).  Jesus had given “apostolic authority” to the Twelve; but then gave it to Paul, “one born out of due time” (1 Cor. 15:8). This was a contributing reason as to why Paul had to defend his apostolic calling.

·       2 Cor. 13:10: Paul’s rebuke of Corinthians was based in his authority to edify

·       Eph. 1:21; 2:2; 3:10; 6:12: speak of spiritual authorities … principalities, powers, might and dominion (1 Pt. 3:22: angels, authorities and powers/dunamis.) Satan is “prince of the power of the air” (and the power of darkness, Col. 1:13). God’s wisdom in the Church was made known to these powers.  We wrestle not against flesh and blood but these spiritual powers.  (Col. 1:16; 2:10; 2:15: they were disarmed by Christ)

Paul, with his Jewish (Pharisee of the Pharisees) and Gentile (Tarsus) background could speak volumes on authority of human government and on the exercise of “rights.”  We need to understand that in Christ we have “authority” in the sense of freedom.  Again, that is what it is: freedom from God to do something.  If we exercise that activity without the “authority” then we are out of place.  Human governmental had authority to deal with right and wrong.  They did not have authority to hinder Christians from being Christians.  But a Christian could hinder his own “rights” when he could see that his rights hindered the gospel.  Meditate on that thought!