My hope is that this series will offer my readers a chance to consider the names, characteristics and descriptions of our God in the Word.

The remaining Names of God in this series might be considered descriptors, or characteristics of the Lord. We have reviewed the three primary Names of God, along with nineteen compound Names of God in our previous posts. As we venture through these descriptors of our God, I hope we will recognize all the many characteristics of our God that we tend to take for granted.

The Word is truly rich with descriptions of the Living God, and this effort of searching in the Word was quite illuminating. He truly is the ultimate subject of the Word, and His revelation of self-descriptions, or the accolades offered Him by His priests, prophets, kings apostles and faithful truly is a blessing.

May the Name of the Lord be praised, and by thinking on His name, may you have a blessed day.

HEAD OF ALL RULE AND AUTHORITY

Colossians 2:10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

As I quickly read what Paul claims here, I have not been too discriminating. I have read this verse for decades (not continuously, mind you) but as I go through the book of Colossians, I usually breeze by this verse without asking any questions.

Today, I’m a gonna ask questions!

What is the difference between rule and authority? Is there a difference? What is Paul talking ’bout?

Paul uses these two descriptions earlier on in this epistle, when he pens Colossians 1:16.

Col 1:16  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

So let’s do a quick review of these two terms.

Rule

The Greek word is ἀρχή archḗ, and is commonly used in an absolute sence, speaking of beginnings. This term is used in reference to the Lord Jesus throughout the New Testament, for He is the ultimate First Person.

Revelation 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

But in our verse this morning, the application cannot be referring to Him, as Paul declares Jesus is over this “archḗ”.

Paul is referring to a leader, one who is first in his class or category. It goes without saying that since Jesus is over this one described as “archḗ”, He is over all of the “archḗ’s” minions and subjects.

Paul describes both rulers and authorities as created in verse 16, we can suppose these are spiritual beings. Of course this verse alone does not identify them as wicked, and it may be a disservice to the verse to restrict these as wicked. Is not the Lord the Master of All?

Relating to His dominion over wicked spirits, we would refer to Ephesians to get that clarity. Paul provides no doubt that is in his thoughts as he uses these two terms relating to the enemies of our soul in Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

In summary, Jesus is over rulers, those created beings that are first in their class or category, those who rule over others, even the highest rulers, whoever they may be, in this created world we live in.

Authority

The Greek word is ἐξουσία exousía, and speaks of power, the ability or liberty to do as one pleases. This word is used often in the New Testament, many times relating to the power or authority of the Lord Jesus.

Take a gander at a great example.

Matthew 9:6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–he then said to the paralytic–“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

Every time I read this verse, it gives me a chill to think the Lord told those around him, including those hunting Him down, that he had the power, the freedom to forgive sins! Unbelievable! No wonder the darkened mind of those around Him were shocked. He is simply a shocking Savior!

Back in our verse in Colossians, this term speaks of the power resident in those whom Jesus is over. Those that are created, the “archḗ” (rulers) down through the ranks, have a delegated power, a freedom to inflict their will on those they are allowed to harm.

Our Savior is HEAD OF ALL RULE AND AUTHORITY. He is over each and every created being, no matter where that created being sits in the hierarchy. He exercises limitations to the delegated power each of those created beings are allowed to exercise. Paul speaks of Jesus being over the created beings and over their delegated power.

He is the HEAD, or MASTER of all. Given that, it should be no surprise that He could say He had the authority to forgive sins on earth.

That one incident is still so shocking though. But it shouldn’t be since our Savior is HEAD OF ALL RULE AND AUTHORITY.

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I would love to hear of your favorite name, characteristic or description of the Living God. Please leave me a comment, and I will include it in the list!

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