Authority

Authority - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

AUTHOR'ITY, n. [L. auctoritas.]

1. Legal power, or a right to command or to act; as the authority of a prince over subjects, and of parents over children. Power; rule; sway.

2. The power derived from opinion, respect or esteem; influence of character or office; credit; as the authority of age or example, which is submitted to or respected, in some measure, as a law, or rule of action. That which is claimed in justification or support of opinions and measures.

3. Testimony; witness; or the person who testifies; as, the Gospels or the evangelists are our authorities for the miracles of Christ.

4. Weight of testimony; credibility; as a historian of no authority.

5. Weight of character; respectability; dignity; as a magistrate of great authority in the city.

6. Warrant; order; permission.

By what authority dost thou these things. Mat 21. Acts 9.

7. Precedents, decisions of a court, official declarations, respectable opinions and says, also the books that contain them, are call authorities, as they influence the opinions of others; and in law, the decisions of supreme courts have a binding force upon inferior courts, and are called authorities.

8. Government; the persons or the body exercising power or command; as the local authorities of the states.

In Connecticut, the justices of the peace are denominated the civil authority.

o-thor'-i-ti. See AUTHORITY IN RELIGION, sec. I.

Definition

The term “authority” usually refers to a position of influence, responsibility, or rule over another person.

• Kings and other governing rulers have authority over the people they are ruling.
• The word “authorities” can refer to people, governments, or organizations that have authority over others.
• The word “authorities” can also refer to spirit beings who have power over people who have not submitted themselves to God’s authority.
• Masters have authority over their servants or slaves. Parents have authority over their children.
• Governments have the authority or right to make laws that govern their citizens.

Translation Suggestions

• The term “authority” can also be translated as “control” or “right” or “qualifications.”
• Sometimes “authority” is used with the meaning of “power.”
• When “authorities” is used to refer to people or organizations who rule people, it could also be translated as “leaders” or “rulers” or “powers.”
• The phrase “by his own authority” could also be translated as “with his own right to lead” or “based on his own qualifications.”
• The expression, “under authority” could be translated as “responsible to obey” or “having to obey others’ commands.”

(See also: dominion, king, ruler, power)

Bible References

• Colossians 2:10
• Esther 9:29
• Genesis 41:35
• Jonah 3:6-7
• Luke 12:5
• Luke 20:1-2
• Mark 1:22
• Matthew 8:9
• Matthew 28:19
• Titus 3:1

Word Data

• Strong’s: H8633, G08310, G14130, G18490, G18500, G20030, G27150, G52470