Authority (2963) (kuriotes which comes from kurios = Lord, owner, master) means lordship, ruling power, one who possesses dominion, civil power, authority or magistracy. It can refer to supernatural beings that possess dominion and authority (See notes Ephesians 1:21, Colossians 1:16).
Kuriotes is found 4 times in the NT...
Ephesians 1:21 (note) far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.
Colossians 1:16 (note) For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created by Him and for Him.
2 Peter 2:10 (note) and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties,
Jude 1:8 Yet in the same manner these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties.
MacArthur adds that
"The false teachers identified with Christ outwardly, but they would not live under His lordship. The two major characteristics of false teachers are emphasized in this verse: 1) lust and 2) arrogance."
Wuest concurs adding that
we may conclude that by ‘despise government’ is meant a despising of the Lordship of Christ, which was the central theme of the apostolic teaching and preaching.
DARING: tolmetai: (KJV: "presumptuous") (Nu 15:30; Jude 1:8)
Be the first to react on this!
Greek Word Studies ( - )
Read freely Greek Word Studies from the Austin Precept text commentary of the Bible in text and pdf format. Precept Austin is an online free dynamic bible commentary similar to wikipedia with updated content and many links to excellent biblical resources around the world. You can browse the entire collection of Commentaries by Verse on the Precept Austin website.We have been "bought with a price" to be "ambassadors for Christ" and our "salvation is nearer to us than when we believed" so let us "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" "so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." (1Cor 6:20, 2Cor 5:20, Ro 13:11, 2Cor 7:1, 1Jn 2:28)