5395 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

Lk 12:42

The lordship of masters over their servants See also Ps 123:2; Mt 18:25; Mt 25:19; Lk 12:36; Lk 16:3; Eph 6:5,9; Col 3:22

The lordship of owners over their possessions Jdg 19:23; Mk 12:9 pp Mt 21:40 pp Lk 20:15; Lk 19:33; Gal 4:1

The use of Lord (NIV “Sir”) as a title of respect Mt 27:63; Lk 13:8; Jn 12:21; Jn 20:15; Ac 16:30; 1Pe 3:6

Human lordship within the church

Mk 10:42-45 pp Mt 20:25-28 pp Lk 22:25-27

Christian lordship as a pastoral responsibility 1Pe 5:2-3

The lordship of God

“Lord” as a title for God Ex 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. In the OT “Lord” is by far the most frequently used word for God (over 6,500 times): Ex 6:3,6; Isa 6:1-5; Isa 45:5-8,18; Hos 2:20
Lk 1:32; Lk 2:9; Rev 11:15; Rev 16:7

God is Lord of heaven and earth Ps 135:5-6; Mt 11:25 pp Lk 10:21 See also Ps 2:2-4; Ps 57:11; Ps 97:9; Da 2:47; Ac 17:24; 1Ti 6:15

The revelation of the lordship of God

The word of the Lord is the authoritative revelation of God’s lordship Eze 3:11; 1Pe 1:25 See also Isa 40:8; Isa 1:2; Isa 45:19; Jer 1:2,9; Eze 1:3; Eze 2:4 God revealed as having the prerogative to avenge: Ro 12:19; Dt 32:35 God revealed as the God and Father of his people: 2Co 6:16-18; Lev 26:12; Isa 52:11; Eze 20:34,41; 2Sa 7:14
Jas 5:10 In Acts “the word of the Lord” refers to the gospel: Ac 8:25; Ac 13:49; Ac 15:36; Ac 16:32; Ac 19:10,20

God’s lordship will be revealed to all on the day of the Lord Isa 2:11-12,17; Zep 1:14-18 See also Isa 13:6,9-11; Joel 2:1-2; Am 5:18-20; 1Co 5:5; 1Th 5:2; 2Th 2:2; 2Pe 3:10 Believers and the day of the Lord Jesus Christ: 1Co 1:8; 2Co 1:14

See also