The concept of being governed is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting both divine and human authority. In the biblical context, governance is often portrayed as an institution established by God to maintain order, justice, and righteousness among His people. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on governance, emphasizing the importance of righteous leadership and the responsibility of those who are governed to respect and obey their leaders.

Divine Governance

The ultimate form of governance in the Bible is divine governance, where God is recognized as the supreme ruler over all creation. This is evident from the very beginning in Genesis, where God establishes His authority over the universe. In Psalm 22:28 , it is declared, "For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations." This verse underscores the belief that all earthly governance is subject to God's sovereign rule.

Human Governance

Human governance is depicted in the Bible as a system ordained by God to administer justice and maintain societal order. In the Old Testament, God establishes various forms of governance for the Israelites, including judges, kings, and prophets. The book of Deuteronomy outlines the responsibilities of leaders, emphasizing justice and adherence to God's laws (Deuteronomy 16:18-20).

The establishment of kingship in Israel marks a significant development in biblical governance. Although initially reluctant, God permits the Israelites to have a king, instructing them through the prophet Samuel on the nature of righteous kingship (1 Samuel 8:6-9). The reigns of King David and King Solomon are often highlighted as examples of governance that, despite human flaws, sought to align with divine principles.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, the theme of governance continues with an emphasis on the relationship between Christians and secular authorities. Romans 13:1-2 instructs believers, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." This passage highlights the belief that secular authorities are instituted by God and that Christians have a duty to respect and obey them, provided such obedience does not conflict with God's commands.

The apostle Peter also addresses the topic of governance, urging believers to submit to every human authority for the Lord's sake (1 Peter 2:13-14). This submission is seen as a testimony to the Christian faith and a means of silencing critics.

Righteous Leadership

The Bible places a strong emphasis on the qualities of righteous leadership. Leaders are called to be just, wise, and God-fearing. Proverbs 29:2 states, "When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan." This highlights the impact of governance on the well-being of a nation and the importance of having leaders who uphold God's standards.

Responsibility of the Governed

While leaders have a responsibility to govern justly, those who are governed also have duties. The Bible encourages respect for authority, prayer for leaders, and active participation in promoting justice and righteousness. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 , Paul urges, "First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity."

In summary, the Bible presents governance as a divinely instituted system designed to promote justice, order, and righteousness. Both leaders and the governed have roles and responsibilities that, when fulfilled according to biblical principles, contribute to the flourishing of society.(imp. & p. p.) of Govern.4195. Pontos -- "a sea," Pontus, a region of Asia Minor
... Spelling: (pon'-tos) Short Definition: Pontus Definition: Pontus, a Roman province
in the north of Asia Minor, bordering on the Black Sea, governed along with ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4195.htm - 6k

882. Achaia -- Achaia, a Roman province incl. most of Greece
... Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Achaia Phonetic Spelling: (ach-ah-ee'-ah)
Short Definition: Achaia Definition: the Roman Province Achaia, governed by a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/882.htm - 6k

8199. shaphat -- to judge, govern
... judgment (1), freed (2), handed down (1), has a controversy (1), Judge (5), judge
(93), judged (22), judges (36), judges decide (1), judges governed (1), judges ...
/hebrew/8199.htm - 6k

Whether the World is Governed by One?
... TREATISE ON THE CONSERVATION AND GOVERNMENT OF CREATURES (QQ -119)OF THE GOVERNMENT
OF THINGS IN GENERAL (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the world is governed by one? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the world is governed 2.htm

Whether the World is Governed by Anyone?
... ON THE CONSERVATION AND GOVERNMENT OF CREATURES (QQ -119)OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THINGS
IN GENERAL (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the world is governed by anyone? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the world is governed.htm

Whether the Corporeal Creature is Governed by the Angels?
... HOW ANGELS ACT ON BODIES (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the corporeal creature
is governed by the angels? Objection 1: It would seem that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the corporeal creature is.htm

Whether the Universe is Governed by the Power of one God or of ...
... the divine institutes book i. of the false worship of the gods. Chap. III."Whether
the universe is governed by the power of one god or of many. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap iii whether the universe is.htm

Whether all Things are Immediately Governed by God?
... THE CONSERVATION AND GOVERNMENT OF CREATURES (QQ -119)OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THINGS
IN GENERAL (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether all things are immediately governed by God ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether all things are immediately.htm

Of God, and that the one God, and by Whose Providence the World is ...
... Chap. XI."Of God, and that the One God, and by Whose Providence the World
is Governed and Exists. Since it is agreed upon concerning ...
/.../a treatise on the anger of god addressed to donatus/chap xi of god and that.htm

Reflections on his Fiftieth Birthday. What a Wonderful Being is ...
... What a Wonderful Being is Man! Governed, not by Instinct, but by Reason. ... What a
Wonderful Being is Man! Governed, not by Instinct, but by Reason. ...
/.../chapter xix reflections on his.htm

Argument: but if the World is Ruled by Providence and Governed by ...
... Chapter XX."Argument: But If the World is Ruled by Providence and Governed by the
Will of One God, an Ignorant Antipathy Ought Not to Carry Us Away into the ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xx argument but if the.htm

If, with Minds Thus Framed to Obedience, we Allow Ourselves to be ...
... Of Prayer. John Calvin Chapter 51 If, with minds thus framed to obedience,
we allow ourselves to be governed by the? If, with ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 51 if with minds.htm

How that by virtue of this Word a Man is Governed Full Wisely, and ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE FOUR AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER How that by Virtue of this word a man
is governed full wisely, and made full seemly as well in body as in soul. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the four and 4.htm

Governed (8 Occurrences)
...Governed (8 Occurrences). Galatians 5:25 If we are living by the Spirit's power,
let our conduct also be governed by the Spirit's power. (WEY). ...
/g/governed.htm - 8k

Galatia (6 Occurrences)
... 2. Transference to Rome: The Galatian state of the Three Tribes lasted till 25 BC,
governed first by a council and by tetrarchs, or chiefs of the twelve ...
/g/galatia.htm - 23k

Passions (26 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 2:3 Among them all of us also formerly passed our lives, governed by the
inclinations of our lower natures, indulging the cravings of those natures ...
/p/passions.htm - 17k

Macedonia (23 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary In New Testament times, was a Roman province lying north
of Greece. It was governed by a propraetor with the title of proconsul. ...
/m/macedonia.htm - 40k

Judge (297 Occurrences)
... that while for revenue purposes the "taskmasters" were over the people, they were
yet, just as at a later time when under the Romans, governed by their own ...
/j/judge.htm - 46k

Procurator
... provinces, where the conditions were unfavorable to the introduction of the ordinary
administrative system and Roman public law, were governed as imperial ...
/p/procurator.htm - 13k

Logos
... harmony of conflicting elements. Heraclitus saw all the mutations of being
governed by a rational and unalterable law. This law he ...
/l/logos.htm - 38k

Chaldea (8 Occurrences)
... The kings of Babylon were compelled to acknowledge the supremacy of Elam, and a
rival kingdom to that of Babylon, and governed by Elamites, sprang up at Larsa ...
/c/chaldea.htm - 25k

Providence (3 Occurrences)
... divided, with reference divine providence, into three departments: first, the inanimate
or physical universe, which is conserved or governed by God according ...
/p/providence.htm - 44k

Governing (6 Occurrences)

/g/governing.htm - 8k

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