Navigating the complex dynamics of authority requires wisdom and discernment.
This article explores key Bible verses about authority that outline its purpose, proper use, and parameters.
Whether used for study, meditation, or reflection, these handpicked scriptures unpack principles of being in authority while also submitting to those in leadership. They reveal how all authority ultimately originates from God.
It is our hope these authority scriptures provide biblical foundations for following and exercising authority in a way that honors God, serves others, and advances His kingdom purposes.
Table of Contents
Bible Verses about Authority: Key Scriptures on Authority
Here are Key Bible verses about Authority:
- Romans 13:1: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established”.
- Matthew 28:18: “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”.
- Luke 10:19: “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you”.
- 1 Timothy 2:1–4: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way”.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:14: “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed”.
Bible Verses About Authority
Lets now look at a more in-depth survey of Bible Verses on Authority:
1. Authority of God – Scriptures on Authority depicting God’s supreme authority and sovereignty.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12: Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand, it is to make great and to give strength to all.
Psalm 115:3: Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
Romans 13:1: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Daniel 4:35: All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
Isaiah 45:6-7: That people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things.
Proverbs 21:1: The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.
Matthew 6:9-10: Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
2. Scriptures on Authority of Scripture – Passages regarding the divine authority and reliability of Scripture.
2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
2 Peter 1:20-21: Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 119:89: Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Isaiah 40:8: The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
Matthew 24:35: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Hebrews 4:12: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
John 17:17: Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
3. Governing Authorities – Authority Scriptures about obeying earthly, governing authorities.
Romans 13:1: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
1 Peter 2:13-14: Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.
Titus 3:1: Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.
Proverbs 24:21: My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise.
Daniel 2:21: He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
Acts 5:29: But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
4. Bible Verses About Authority of Christ – Scriptures concerning the authority and supremacy of Christ.
Matthew 28:18: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Ephesians 1:20-22: That he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Colossians 2:10: And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
Philippians 2:9-11: Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Hebrews 1:3: He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
John 5:22-23: The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
John 14:6: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
5. Church Authority Scriptures – Verses regarding authority in the church via leadership, discipline, etc.
Hebrews 13:17: Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
1 Corinthians 5: It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife.
Titus 2:15: Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
1 Timothy 3:1: The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
1 Peter 5:1-4: So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Acts 20:28: Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Matthew 18:15-20: If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
6. Bible Verses About Authority Over Evil Spirits – Passages about having authority over demons in Christ’s name.
Luke 10:17: The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
Mark 3:15: And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach.
Acts 16:18: And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
James 4:7: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
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.
1 John 4:4: Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Revelation 12:11: And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
7. Bible Verses About Authority to Forgive Sins – Verses concerning Christ giving the church authority to forgive sins.
John 20:22-23: And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Matthew 16:19: I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Acts 2:38: And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Colossians 3:13: Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Matthew 18:21-22: Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Luke 7:48: And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
8. Parental Authority Scriptures – Scriptures regarding the authority of parents over children.
Ephesians 6:1-3: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Colossians 3:20: Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Proverbs 22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Exodus 20:12: Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7: And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Proverbs 29:15: The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
Proverbs 1:8-9: Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.
Bible Verses About Attitude: A Deeper Study
Bible Verse About Authority – Mark 10:42-45
Mark 10:42-45 is a bible verse about authority that provides an excellent model of godly authority:
“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them… Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be 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.”
This passage contrasts self-serving domination with Christ-like servant leadership. It is invaluable for reflection.
Bible Verse On Authority – Micah 6:8
Micah 6:8 is a Bible Verse on Authority that provides excellent guidance:
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
This reminds leaders to exercise authority justly, compassionately and humbly.
Scripture About Authority – 2 Timothy 2:24-25
2 Timothy 2:24-25 is another excellent scripture about authority that offers wise perspective for leaders:
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.”
This encourages patient, gentle, non-reactive use of authority.
Scripture For Authority – Ephesians 5:21
Ephesians 5:21 is a good scripture for authority that guides the use of authority:
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Mutual submission out of reverence for Christ checks abuse of authority.
Scripture on Authority – Proverbs 16:12
Proverbs 16:12 is an excellent scripture on authority that gives a wise leadership mindset:
“Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.”
Leading justly and righteously honors God-given authority.
Authority Scripture – Proverbs 3:5-6
Proverbs 3:5-6 is beneficial authority scripture for leaders:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Humbly depending on God provides wisdom and strength to lead well.
Short Bible Verses About Authority
Here are some good short Bible verses about authority:
- “Whoever wants to become great must serve.” Mark 10:43
- “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority.” Hebrews 13:17
- “Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples.” 1 Peter 5:3
Pastoral Perspective: Probing Deeper Into Bible Verses About Authority
What do these Bible Verses about Authority teach us?
The scriptures on authority teach us several key lessons:
- God has supreme authority (1 Chronicles 29:11-12, Psalm 115:3).
- The Bible has divine authority (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21).
- We must submit to governing authorities (Romans 13:1, 1 Peter 2:13-17).
- Jesus Christ has complete authority (Matthew 28:18, Philippians 2:9-11).
- Church leaders have spiritual authority (Hebrews 13:17, 1 Timothy 3:1-13).
- Believers have authority over evil spirits (Luke 10:17, James 4:7).
- Authority was given to forgive sins (John 20:22-23, Matthew 16:19 ).
- Parents have authority over children (Ephesians 6:1-3, Colossians 3:20).
Nuances and Subtleties of Authority Bible Verses
Some important nuances regarding Authority Bible verses that will enrich our understanding of authority in the Bible include:
- Spiritual authority is granted by God, not self-derived.
- Governing authority deserves respect but not unquestioning loyalty.
- Parental authority requires nurture alongside discipline.
- Forgiving sins involves declaring what God has already done.
- Authority comes with responsibility and accountability.
- Christ-like authority exemplifies humility and service.
Practical Steps to Lead Well with Authority in Your Lives
Here are some practical steps to lead well with authority in our lives:
- Lead with humility, gentleness, and self-sacrificial concern for others (1 Peter 5:2-3).
- Take responsibility for those under your care (Romans 14:12, Hebrews 13:17).
- Seek accountability from other leaders to avoid abusing authority (Proverbs 11:14).
- Address issues with truth, justice, mercy, and grace (John 8:3-11, Matthew 18:15-17).
- Recognize all authority ultimately derives from God (Daniel 2:21, Romans 13:1).
- Use influence to serve others, not self (Matthew 20:25-28).
Practical Strategies To Incorporate Authority Scriptures Daily
Here are some practical strategies to use scriptures on authority to become a way of life:
- Evaluate decisions and motives against passages on servant leadership.
- Discuss dilemmas of authority with mentors rooted in Scripture.
- Pray through verses about godly leadership when starting new positions.
- Confess tendencies toward self-serving abuse of influence.
- Read biographies of biblical leaders to gain wisdom.
- Examine organizational culture in light of biblical values.
- Memorize verses on authority to inform daily choices.
Transformative Force of Scriptures on Authority in Lives
I have seen many leaders humbled and challenged to reshape their attitudes after studying passages on servant leadership. Some realized they had been abusing authority and sought repentance. Many shared how meditating on verses about submission kept them accountable to God. Believers testify to serving spouses, children and co-workers with more Christ-like compassion by applying scriptures on authority. God’s Word is able to transform even our use of power.
Additional Resources on Authority
Recommendations include books like “Spiritual Leadership” by Oswald Sanders, training programs on biblical leadership like Ron Edmonson’s Christian Leadership Training, and mentoring/discipleship focused on developing godly leadership. Counseling can also help address issues from past leadership failures or abuses.
Moving Beyond this Article on Authority Scriptures
As we have seen, the Bible clearly instructs believers in relating to authority with wisdom and discernment. Bible Verses about Authority urge us to submit to governing authorities, test teachings, and obey God rather than men when directives contradict His Word. May this exploration of authority scriptures lead you to greater understanding of biblical authority.
I encourage you to not just reference bible verses about authority, but also dialogue with God in prayer for discernment in this area. Seek Him continually to reveal where you may struggle with or misapply biblical authority personally. Additionally, explore other Bible Verses on various topics for more wisdom.
Lastly, share this article and Divine Disclosures with other Christians needing to grow in this topic. Together, anchored in God’s Word and prayer, we can encourage each other to embrace proper alignment with the many authorities in our lives. As iron sharpens iron, we must keep each other accountable to obedience while avoiding blind allegiance to any source imposing expectations contrary to Christ’s truth. There is freedom in willingly submitting to legitimate authority.
