25 Powerful Bible Verses about Authority: Understanding God’s Sovereignty
Authority is a concept that we encounter in various aspects of life, from government and work to our personal faith. In this post, we’ll dive into 25 verses that help us understand God’s ultimate sovereignty and how we should relate to authority in our lives.
Related: 10 Powerful Bible Verses about Respect: Honoring God and Others
Bible Verses about Authority
1. Romans 13:1
“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”
2. Matthew 28:18
“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.'”
3. Ephesians 6:12
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
4. Colossians 1:16
“For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.”
5. 1 Peter 2:13
“For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state.”
6. Titus 3:1
“Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.”
7. 1 Corinthians 15:24
“After that the end will come when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power.”
8. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”
9. Hebrews 13:17
“Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.”
10. 1 Samuel 15:23
“Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
11. Luke 10:19
“Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.”
12. Jude 1:25
“All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.”
13. Matthew 8:9
“I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”
14. 2 Corinthians 10:8
“I am not ashamed of it or sorry to be like that, as though I were using clever tricks to win you over. But I am an apostle in the very presence of God. I am an apostle in Christ just as much as the other men among you.”
15. 1 Peter 5:5
“In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
16. Matthew 9:6
“So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.’ Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!'”
17. Revelation 12:10
“Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, ‘It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night.'”
18. Romans 13:2
“So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.”
19. Matthew 10:1
“Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.”
20. Mark 1:27
“Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. ‘What sort of new teaching is this?’ they asked excitedly. ‘It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!'”
21. Revelation 14:18
“Then another angel, who had power to destroy with fire, came from the altar. He shouted to the angel with the sharp sickle, ‘Swing your sickle now to gather the clusters of grapes from the vines of the earth, for they are ripe for judgment.'”
22. John 19:10-11
“‘Why don’t you talk to me?’ Pilate demanded. ‘Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?’ Then Jesus said, ‘You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above.'”
23. 2 Peter 2:10
“He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to insult the glorious ones.”
24. Daniel 2:21
“He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.”
25. 1 Corinthians 15:25
“For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet.”
Short Prayer
Dear Father God, we recognize Your ultimate authority over all things. Help us submit to the authorities You have placed in our lives and honor Your sovereign rule. Please guide us to use the authority You’ve given us with wisdom and humility. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Conclusion
These 25 verses emphasize the ultimate authority of God and how He has established human authorities. They remind us of our responsibility to respect and submit to authority, whether it’s in the realm of government, leadership, or spiritual guidance.
God bless you.
