exousia

What it means

Authority. Christ is "far above all rule and authority" (1:21), and the church shows God's wisdom to "the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places" (3:10).

Range of meaning

• Right to actPermission or freedom to do something.
• PowerThe ability to make things happen.
• RuleAuthority over others, or the people who hold it.

In Ephesians

• Chapter 1

  "Far above all rule, and authority" (1:21).

• Chapter 3

  "To the principalities and the powers" (3:10).

• Chapter 6

  "Against the powers" (6:12).