The Power of “Exousia”

A Bible Study on Spiritual Authority

The power of exousia… Whatever is “exousia”? “I have never seen that word in my Bible.” If you are not familiar with this strange little word, allow me to introduce you to it. Exousia is a word that is actually very prominent in the Greek New Testament. Prominent because it is found ninety-three times in our New Testament, and, prominent because it is found in scriptures that are key verses in understanding the means by which the Gospel of Jesus Christ transforms lives.

In our King James version of the Bible, the Greek word exousia ismost frequently translated power or authority. These two words have become trigger words in the hearts of many of our Anabaptist people, releasing a wide range of emotional responses from anger to callousness. It is tragic that what God has ordained to be the source of life and power, Satan has succeeded in transforming into a means of death and destruction.

Exousia as it is used in our New Testament refers to authority and power that is conferred upon someone by a higher and greater power. It implies not only the right to exercise leadership but also the means to effectually lead. Exousia refers to authority and power that is not native to the person that possesses it. A person who is exercising exousia is doing so under the direction and command of a higher power.

Allow me to demonstrate exousia. You will notice that I have not yet used one scripture to defend my introductory comments. You could choose to counter what I have said with your own counterarguments. This could escalate into a full-blown argument and breach of relationship. This happens frequently—brethren disagree and break fellowship—families become disillusioned and move away.

Introducing exousia.

Allow me to support my claims with scripture and I will convince you that these concepts are not my own. They did not originate in my mind. They are not native with me. I stand upon the Word of God. The Word of God is my defense. Any counterattack must be made against the Word of God. This is the power of exousia.

So where is this strange word found in Scripture? Let’s look first at St John’s gospel: But as many as received him, to them gave he power <exousia> to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: –Joh 1:12. Notice three things in this verse. First, this power is given by a higher power from outside of one’s self. Second, this power has the ability to transform us into “sons of God”. Third, all of this is dependent upon our receiving Christ as our Savior.

This verse defines <exousia> as a power that is granted to believers that has the ability to transform them into Sons of God. If you are a believer in Jesus, you are given power and authority to speak and act upon the authority of Christ. This authority is not native to us. It is contingent upon our relationship with Christ.

Here is a verse from Matthew’s gospel: And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power <exousia> against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease –Mat 10:1.Notice once again that this power is granted from Christ to his disciples and it enabled them to cast out unclean spirits.

Then we have the wonderful promise given at the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power <exousia> is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen –Mat 28:18-20.

Notice how this power <exousia> is passed from God the Father, to God the Son, and on down to all of us. This power <exousia> enables us to go, to teach, and to make disciples of all nations. This is the power of <exousia>. It is the authority to proclaim truth that transforms lives. Let’s look next at some practical ways that we can exercise <exousia> in our lives today.

<exousia> in our preaching

In Matthew chapters five, six, and seven we have the Sermon on the Mount. This sermon of Jesus introduced to the people concepts that they had never heard before. At the conclusion of this sermon we read:And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, <exousia> and not as the scribes –Mat 7:28-29.

What was the difference between the teaching of Jesus and the teaching of the scribes? It was the authority with which He spoke, and the people detected the difference. Jesus is the Living Word. When He spoke, His words were with such authenticity that they could not be lightly disregarded or set aside. They had to be reckoned with.

If the Spirit of Christ is dwelling within you, you have the ability to speak with authority <exousia>. This authority is founded on the Word of God and not on your position in the church, although if you have received the laying on of hands you should be exercising <exousia>.

A common fault in preaching is to read a good book, possibly by a Protestant author, attempt to paraphrase the concepts from that book, and present it to the church on Sunday morning. What is the fault with this style of preaching? The fault is the absence of authority <exousia>.

When we are teaching the eternal truths of God’s Word, we speak with the authority <exousia> of God himself. When we teach the commandments and doctrines of men, as the scribes & Pharisees did, we are limited to our own salesmanship ability. We may be able to impress a few people by our charisma, or with our knowledge but there will be a woeful lack of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

<exousia> in church administration

Many church leaders find themselves exasperated by the absence of authority in their church. We are inclined to believe that position and authority go hand in hand. This is as it should be but is not always the case. Let’s consider first an instance in which a man understood the power of <exousia> and was commended for his great faith.

In Matthew chapter eight we have an account of a Roman centurion who came to Jesus and begged healing for his servant. Jesus said, “I will come and heal him”. The centurion responded, …Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority <exousia>, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it –Mat 8:8-9. 

Jesus said of him, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel”. What was so profound about this man’s faith? This centurion understood the power of appealing to a higher authority and of submitting to the authority over him. He understood through his experience in the Roman military that Jesus had access to a power that could bring healing to his servant. Jesus commended this man for his great faith and his servant received healing.

As a church administrator, do the people that you are serving know that you are “a man under authority”? Do they sense the fear of God in your life? Do they see you appealing to a higher authority through fervent prayer? Is your administration grounded on the eternal principles of the Word of God or do you presume upon an authority that has not been God-given?

Saul was the first king of Israel. His reign began in humility and the result was great power and mighty victories. He experienced a great victory at Jabeshgilead. Saul had the divine anointing and he had the blessing of God on his reign. But then something happened. His first mistake was when he presumed to take upon himself authority that God had not given, by assuming the role of a priest. Rather than waiting for Samuel, he presumptuously assumed the role of a priest and offered a burnt offering to God. Notice a disregard for God’s designated authority.

His final and fatal error was blatant disobedience. God sent him to “utterly destroy the Amalekites”. Saul disregarded God’s clear command and saved Agag alive and the best of the cattle “for sacrifice”. This decision placed Saul in a position where he now had a throne, and a crown, and an army, but he lost the divine anointing. We now have a man with a position and a following, but he has no power to lead, no <exousia>.

God told Samuel to anoint another king to replace Saul. God directed him to a young shepherd boy whose cheeks were flushed from his outdoor life among the sheep. David became the next king of Israel. No throne, no scepter and no crown. His army consisted of a band of outlaws and debtors, but King David had something that Saul did not have. David had <exousia>. David had divine power and authority. David had the anointing.

It is a most tenuous position to be in a place of leadership and to be left to our own devices. Effective leadership happens only when we recognize, as did the Roman centurion, that “I am a man under authority”. I am not the ultimate authority. All authority comes from God. Jesus said to Pilate, a Roman procurator, …Thou couldest have no power <exousia> at all against me, except it were given thee from above… –Joh 19:11. 

<exousia> in our homes

As we have already seen <exousia> is a power that flows from the very throne of God that enables us to lead with dignity and respect. A peaceful thriving home is a place where this authority is present and active. It must begin with a father who understands that his ability to lead his family is directly contingent upon his relationship with God.

If the father is going to be a man like King Saul, who does not fear and reverence the holiness of God, he will pass on to his family that same disregard for authority. All authority flows from God. Many fathers are frustrated that they cannot command the respect of their wives and children. Granted there can be other causes of rebellion, but a struggling father must first examine his own attitude toward authority because rebellion is often learned behavior.

A father who honors the Word of God, who makes it the foundation for his life, derives a stability that allows him to stand firm and true, regardless of the opposition that he may encounter. This solidarity gives security to his wife and brings a rest to the entire household. This is the blessing and the strength of <exousia>.

<exousia> in our marriages

One of the most notable and consistent practices among our Anabaptist people is our sister’s head covering. This practice is so prevalent among us that when a group chooses to drop the custom, we consider them to be no longer Anabaptist. It is sort of the litmus test of our Anabaptist heritage.

Why is this so important to us? What is the significance of the sister’s head covering? This ordinance is taught in I Corinthians 11 where the Apostle Paul is attempting to correct some errors among the Corinthian church. He begins his corrective teaching by explaining the order through which <exousia> flows from God to man. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. –1Co 11:3.

Close examination of this scripture reveals that Christ as the Son of Man received His authority from His head, His father, God. Man receives his authority from Christ and what Paul wanted to convey to the Corinthians was that the woman shares in this flow of authority as she honors her head, man. Notice that all are under authority and all have access to the same authority. It is a flow of spiritual power that is made available to those who acknowledge God’s order of headship.

What does this have to do with <exousia>?Let’s examine verse 10: For this cause ought the woman to have power <exousia>on her head because of the angels.Paul, in his attempt to restore order to the chaos within the Corinthian church explained how the power of God can be made available to everyone. As each person recognizes his/her place in this order of headship there is a free flowing of grace right from the very throne of God.

The veiled head of our sisters is a powerful witness to the presence of <exousia> in our midst. No, merely placing a veil on the head does not produce a supernatural result. However; veiling the head in obedience to Christ, with a spirit of meekness and humility, does produce supernatural results. This is the power of <exousia>.

<Exousia> is power that is given from a higher power, from outside of oneself, that is greater than one’s own. It is not native to the person that possesses it. It is not to be used for one’s own glory or to one’s own end. It is to be exercised for the glory of the giver (God) and to advance His cause.

It is the glory and power of the church. Where it is present, God is exalted, and the church thrives. When it is absent, a fatal malaisedevelops that depletes the church of her glory and strength. May we be among those faithful men and women who are willing channels of His grace.