authority
exousia denotes the right or jurisdiction to act, govern, command, or exercise control in the situations described.
The noun most often identifies a right or capacity to undertake a stated action, whether exercising a personal entitlement, receiving permission, or acting under a grant. It also marks jurisdiction over people or realms and, in plural forms, identifies ruling authorities set within heavenly or hostile contexts.
Senses in use
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Right or capacity for a stated action · dominant
In singular occurrences, the noun is attached to concrete actions and entitlements: in John 10:18 the APB renders authority to lay life down and take it up again, while 1 Corinthians 9:4 and 1 Corinthians 9:5 place it with eating, drinking, and taking a wife. Acts 8:19 likewise presents a requested capacity connected with laying hands on people.
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Jurisdiction or governing control · common
The singular noun can specify the scope of rule over others or a realm. In Matthew 28:18 the nominative singular form is said to have been given in heaven and on earth; in Luke 19:17 the APB renders authority over ten cities, and in Luke 20:20 it occurs with the governor's jurisdiction and authority.
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Ruling authorities as plural powers · occasional
Plural forms identify authorities alongside other ruling powers rather than an individual's stated entitlement. In Colossians 1:16 the APB lists authorities among created visible and invisible orders; Ephesians 6:12 sets them among the opponents of the struggle, and Colossians 2:15 describes rulers and authorities as disarmed.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the noun as “authority,” including authority to act, authority over a person or place, and authorities among ruling powers. In John 1:12 and Hebrews 13:10 it instead renders the relevant clause with “right”; These renderings should be read as presentations of the clauses rather than fixed equivalents.