The exercise of freedom under Jesus Christ's authority for the good of the church.
Supreme authority belongs to Jesus Christ as head of the church
Ephesians 5:23 See also Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 4:15, Ephesians 5:24; Colossians 1:18
For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior.
Spiritual authority under Jesus Christ in the church is possessed by elders
As shepherds who teach and care for the flock
Acts 20:28 See also John 21:15–17; Ephesians 4:11–13; 1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 2:1–10; 1 Peter 5:2
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
As overseers ruling the church
Acts 20:28 See also Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Those serving as overseers must rule their own homes well; 1 Timothy 5:17
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
The response of the church to the authority of elders
Elders are to be obeyed
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Elders are to be honoured and respected
1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 See also 1 Timothy 5:17
But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
Paul limits the authority of women in the church
1 Timothy 2:12 Some believe Paul's restriction to apply to the women in the Ephesian church who were seizing authority rather than having been granted it. Others believe Paul is prohibiting women from being official teachers in the assembled church. See also 1 Corinthians 11:5–6, 1 Corinthians 11:10, 1 Corinthians 14:33–37
I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.
The reason for this prohibition derives from God's order of creation
1 Timothy 2:13–14 See also 1 Corinthians 11:3, 1 Corinthians 11:7–10
For Adam was formed first, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and fell into transgression.
Kinds of authority within the church
Authority to preach the gospel
Authority to excommunicate
Matthew 18:15–18; 1 Corinthians 5:1–5 “hand this man over to Satan” here means “send back into the world ruled by Satan”; 1 Corinthians 5:9–13
Authority to forgive sins
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.