FAR ABOVE ALL RULE - PART 6

SATURDAY 13 JULY 2024

Reference: Ephesians 1:20-21 New International Version (NIV)

"...and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come."

If you study Ephesians chapter one carefully, you'll observe that Paul revealed the above versified reference, in a state of intense and earnest thanksgiving, coupled with heartfelt prayer for the saints in Ephesus, and today, this truth is designed to shape our Christian faith on earth as we speak and manifest by its light.

We are seated with Christ Jesus whose will, power, authority, command, favour, order, influence and directive are everything "far above" all rule and authority, power and dominion, meaning that we are strategically positioned in the realm where we are in charge and above all, and in condition of being superior to all other authority, power, or status on earth, on account of Christ's victory and supremacy.

"All rule and authority, power and dominion" are four aspects of hegemony or mastery that are identical in substance, and the predominant thought for four of them is that of earthly exercise of power or influence over someone or something, including imperial domination. To gain the true understanding of these four aspects of primacy in terms of their accurate descriptions, let's consider their extensive interpretations in Greek lexical word study - one by one:

Rule:

Greek term is kanón, meaning a rule or standard. The usage is mostly based on a level and ruler - for a rule, regulation, rule of conduct or doctrine, and a measured (defined) area, province. So it could be expressed as a standard of measure; (figuratively) a rule; a standard or norm; by implication, it is a boundary, i.e. (figuratively) a sphere (of activity) - line, rule. In the Christian doctrine of the early Church, its consensual theology called it "the rule (kanōn) of truth", or standard (of faith and practice) which represented the core theological convictions prevailing in the local churches in the "post-apostolic era." 

Authority: 

The Greek renderings are defined as follows:

1. Exousia - power to act, authority.

2. Exousiazó or katexousiazó - to exercise authority over.

3. Onoma - a name, authority, cause.

4. Authenteó - to govern, exercise authority.

5. Archégos - founder or leader.

6. Epitropos - an administrator (one having authority).

7. Huperoché - a projection, eminence, superiority, excellence, preeminence, authority.

8. Hégemón - a leader, governor, an officer administering.

9. Huperechó - to hold above, to rise above, to be superior.

Power:

The Greek renderings are defined as follows:

1. Dunamis - (miraculous) power, might, strength; Dunamai - to be able, to have power.

2. Exousia - power to act, authority.

3. Dunatos - strong, mighty, powerful; Dunateó - to be able, be powerful.

4. Kratos - strength, might.

5. Ischus - strength, might, force, ability.

6. Elaunó - to drive or push (as wind, oars, or demoniacal power).

7. Dexios - the right hand or side

8. Katadunasteuó - to exercise power over; Didómi - denoting to give strength, faculty, power, virtue.

9. Dunasteuó - to hold power.

10. Energeó - to be at work, to work, to do, to be operative, to put forth power.

Dominion:

The Greek renderings are defined as follows:

1. Kuriotés - lordship, with reference to a celestial hierarchy.

2. Kurieuó - to be lord of, rule properly, to exercise rights over one's own.

3. Katakurieuó -- to exercise dominion over; Pantokrató - properly almighty; having unrestricted power to exercise absolute dominion.

4. Atakurieuo - exercise authority over, overpower (of the benign government of God).

5. Megalósuné - greatness, glory, majesty, dominion.

6. Eleutheroó - to make free, fig. to exempt from liability, or from the dominion of sin.

7. Kreittón or kreissón - mastery; Basileia - kingdom, sovereignty, royal power.

8. Hapas - all, the whole, into all parts of the world.

9. A throne - a (king's) throne, seat; meton: power, dominion.

10. Egkráteia - Mastery, self-control.

In Paul's writing, our position with Christ dominates the sense and practicality of all dimensions of mastery and influence I've listed above, except God's Pantokrató, which is His "almighty" ability of having unrestricted power to exercise absolute dominion, plus His very own lordship, rule, greatness, glory, majesty, dominion, kingdom, and sovereignty. Stay tuned for part 6. Shalom! 

Scripture Reading - 1 Corinthians 4:20; Acts 10:38; 1 Corinthians 6:14; Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 6:10; 2 Timothy 1:7.

Guided Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I'm grateful for positioning me in Christ to manifest the light of your sovereignty, reign, authority and dominion, in Jesus' Name, Amen.