arche denotes a beginning or starting point, and in plural contexts can denote rulers or governing powers.

The attested usage most often marks a beginning or point from which something is considered: creation, a message or commandment heard, a period of life, or the onset of events. Plural forms also occur among lists of rulers and authorities, while several singular clauses identify a first sign, foundational instruction, or a beginning set alongside an end.

1. Beginning as a temporal starting point · dominant

   Genitive and dative singular forms regularly locate persons, creation, teaching, or events at their starting point. In John 1:1 the APB renders the clause "In the beginning was the Word," while 1 John 2:24 speaks of what was heard "from the beginning" and Mark 10:6 places the making of male and female at the beginning of creation.

   John 1:11 John 2:24Mark 10:6Acts 26:4John 15:272 Peter 3:4
2. Rulers or governing powers · common

   Plural forms occur in coordinated lists with authority, power, dominion, or related governing language. In Ephesians 6:12 the APB renders opposition "against the rulers" alongside authorities and world powers; Colossians 2:15 describes rulers and authorities being disarmed.

   Ephesians 6:12Colossians 2:15Colossians 1:16Romans 8:38Titus 3:1Luke 12:11
3. Initial stage or first element · occasional

   Singular forms identify the first item or initial stage within a stated sequence. In John 2:11 the APB calls the Cana event "the first of his signs"; Hebrews 5:12 refers to instruction in "the principles of the beginning," and Mark 13:8 calls the listed troubles "the beginning of birth pains."

   John 2:11Hebrews 5:12Mark 13:8Matthew 24:8Hebrews 2:3Philippians 4:15
4. Beginning named with an end · rare

   In Revelation 21:6 and Revelation 22:13, the nominative singular form is paired with "the end" in a self-description framed by Alpha and Omega. Colossians 1:18 likewise uses the singular in a clause that identifies someone as "the beginning" and then mentions being firstborn from the dead.

   Revelation 21:6Revelation 22:13Colossians 1:18Hebrews 7:3

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the temporal use with "beginning" or "from the beginning," as in John 1:1 and 1 John 2:24. In plural authority lists it uses "rulers," while initial-stage clauses may be rendered "first" or "principles"; these are verse-level renderings, not definitions.