Lordship, human and divine

Scripture recognises that human beings exercise authority in various capacities and ways. However, it insists that all human authority derives ultimately from God himself.

Human lordship within society

Luke 12:42

And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time?

The lordship of masters over their servants

The lordship of owners over their possessions

Judges 19:23; Mark 12:9 parallels Matthew 21:40, Luke 20:15; Luke 19:33; Galatians 4:1

The use of Lord (NIV ``Sir'') as a title of respect

Matthew 27:63; Luke 13:8; John 12:21, John 20:15; Acts 16:30; 1 Peter 3:6

Human lordship within the church

Mark 10:42–45 parallels Matthew 20:25–28, Luke 22:25–27

So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Christian lordship as a pastoral responsibility

1 Peter 5:2–3

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

The lordship of God

``Lord'' as a title for God

Exodus 3:14–15 In the NIV, “Lord” indicates a person with authority (this can be used of God) and “LORD” indicates Yahweh, the special Israelite name for God, revealed here to Moses. Exodus 6:3, Exodus 6:6; Isaiah 6:1–5, Isaiah 45:5–8, Isaiah 45:18; Hosea 2:20; Luke 1:32, Luke 2:9; Revelation 11:15, Revelation 16:7

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers — the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob — has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.

God is Lord of heaven and earth

Psalm 135:5–6; Matthew 11:25 parallel Luke 10:21 See also Psalm 2:2–4, Psalm 57:11, Psalm 97:9; Daniel 2:47; Acts 17:24; 1 Timothy 6:15

For I know that the LORD is great; our Lord is above all gods. The LORD does all that pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in all their depths.

At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

The revelation of the lordship of God

The word of the LORD is the authoritative revelation of God's lordship

Ezekiel 3:11; 1 Peter 1:25 See also Isaiah 40:8, Isaiah 1:2, Isaiah 45:19; Jeremiah 1:2, Jeremiah 1:9; Ezekiel 1:3, Ezekiel 2:4ROM Ezekiel 12:19; DEU 32:352CO Deuteronomy 6:16–18; Leviticus 26:12; Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34, Ezekiel 20:41; 2 Samuel 7:14 James 5:10ACT James 8:25, Acts 13:49, Acts 15:36, Acts 16:32, Acts 19:10, Acts 19:20

Go to your people, the exiles; speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ whether they listen or refuse to listen.”

but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.

God's lordship will be revealed to all on the day of the LORD

Isaiah 2:11–12, Isaiah 2:17; Zephaniah 1:14–18 See also Isaiah 13:6, Isaiah 13:9–11; Joel 2:1–2; Amos 5:18–20; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:101CO 2 Peter 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:14

The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted— it will be humbled—

So the pride of man will be brought low, and the loftiness of men will be humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,

The great Day of the LORD is near — near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter. That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of horn blast and battle cry against the fortified cities, and against the high corner towers. I will bring such distress on mankind that they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth.