All Authority

Dean Gotcher

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers [the Greek word used here is exousia (εξουσία), meaning authority, not dunamis (δύναμις), meaning power. Exousia is an office given by God, and not found in a man (God authoring the commands, with a man or men in authority, under God, ordering others to carry them out). The office of authority (εξουσία) is from God, even though the power (δύναμις), the sword, is in the hand of man. A tyrant is a man who uses the δύναμις of the sword while in the office of εξουσία, given by God, for his own personal gain. You do not have to do what the tyrant commands that is evil, fearing his δύναμις (yet you will more than likely suffer for it), but you do need to recognize and honour his office of εξουσία, doing what he commands that is good.]. For there is no εξουσία but of God: the εξουσίαs that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the εξουσία, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." Romans 13:1, 2

By what authority do you do these things? "Let every soul be subject unto the higher exousia,"

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenge to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing." (Romans 13:1-6)

Romans 13:1, "pasa quch exousiaiv uperecousaiv upotassesyw" (Greek from the Textus Receptus¹) reads, from a proper translation of the Greek: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher authority" and does not read, as the authors of King James Bible translated it from the Textus Receptus: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher power." King James wanted it translated that way, as in "No Bishop, No King," "Church" instead of congregation or assembly, etc., retaining his "authority" over "the people," as a high priest between man and God, retaining the trappings of the "catholic church." The Apostle Paul used the Greek word εξουσία, exousia, i.e. the Greek word for authority, instead of δύναμις, dunamis, i.e. the Greek word for power, in Romans 13:1-6. There is a world of difference (i.e. a paradigm of difference) between the use of these words in the translation of Romans 13:1-6. If the word for power, which is in the strength of the arm of man (the power of the sword over the bodies of men, but not their souls), is used instead of the word for authority, which is from God (all authority is of God, God has authority, not only over the bodies of men, but he also has authority over the souls of all men; "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers [εξουσία]: all things were created by him, and for him:" Colossians 1:16) then the tyrant is "justified," i.e. Hitler was "justified" in using his power, not only over the bodies of men, but also over their soul (which is a praxis of usurpation, since only God has authority over the souls of man). It was the use of the word power instead of the word authority, in Romans 13:1-6, which "justified" the German church's abdication to, i.e., participation with, i.e. empowerment of the beast. Fearing the wrath of man (power of the sword over the body of man) because they loved the respect of man and the things of this world, rather than feared the wrath of God (authority over both the body and the soul of man). Hell was no longer preached and taught. Hell, after all, is why Jesus came, died, and ascended again. "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Revelation 1:18 Without Hell there would have been no "purpose" in his coming, his death, and his resurrection, other than a socialist message of cosmic brotherhood overthrowing the oppressive 'capitalist.'

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)