"to have or exercise power or authority over anyone, Lk. 22:25; to possess independent control over, 1 Cor. 7:4 (2x); pass. to be subject to, under the power or influence of, 1 Cor. 6:12*"
Definition and meaning
to have or exercise power or authority over anyone, Lk. 22:25; to possess independent control over, 1 Cor. 7:4 (2x); pass. to be subject to, under the power or influence of, 1 Cor. 6:12*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐξουσιάζω
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of exousiazo (G1850) across the King James Bible.
And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
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Common questions
Strong's G1850 (exousiazo) is a Greek word that means: to have or exercise power or authority over anyone, Lk. 22:25; to possess independent control over, 1 Cor. 7:4 (2x); pass. to be subject to, under the power or influence of, 1 Cor. 6:12* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word exousiazo (G1850) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1850 is exousiazo, a Greek word defined as: to have or exercise power or authority over anyone, Lk. 22:25; to possess independent control over, 1 Cor. 7:4 (2x); pass. to be subject to, under the. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
exousiazo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.