Biblical ‘Twins’
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
In prior weeks we have sought to discern legitimate differences between several closely related biblical terms, such as mercy and grace, wrath and anger, and joy and happiness. This week Theology 101 will examine subtle nuances of meaning in the next sets of similar or related ideas.
Power and authority
Some Bible passages seem to interchange power and authority depending on which English translation one is reading. For example the familiar Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20 in its opening words, according to the King James Version, records Jesus as claiming, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.” However, reading this passage in several other English versions, one finds the alternative translation, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
The immediate question to be asked concerns whether “power” and “authority” are identical verbal twins with interchangeable meanings. It is helpful to recognize that the idea of having power suggests possessing the ability or might to perform some act, while having authority suggests having the right to exercise that power. Of course, our resurrected Lord possesses both ability and authority when it comes to exercising divine power.
Then we turn to another familiar passage in Acts 1:8 in which Jesus left His followers this promise: “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” In this case a different term is used from that in Matthew 28:18.
Although it is a bit subtle, it is helpful to recognize that believers possess delegated power to witness and minister, but Christ retains the authority to determine when and how spiritual power will be used.
Gladness and joy
Two closely related words are used to speak of another human emotion. We often interchange gladness and joy in giving expression to a cherished emotion, saying either “I experienced fullness of joy” or “I was exceedingly glad.” Is there a proper distinction to be made between these terms?
If so, it may well be in this respect. Take, for example, Jesus’ command in the Sermon on the Mount: “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad” (Matt. 5:12). A difference is discerned in the grammar used by Jesus.
First, He used an imperative verb by which He issued a command, “Rejoice.” Given that Jesus did not give commands that people were not capable of obeying, it would follow that obedient believers can choose to rejoice. The act of rejoicing lies within human capability. For example, we might use the Psalms or the hymnbook to obey the command to rejoice.
A glad heart
The second part of Jesus’ statement is not an imperative. He does not command us to be glad, something we cannot do. Rather, this part of Jesus’ statement uses a passive verb, the essence of which is that we receive an action from outside ourselves rather than initiating the action (as in active verbs).
So if we choose to rejoice, something we can willfully do, then the Lord acting through the Holy Spirit begins to make us glad. We are not commanded to be glad, but to rejoice. The choice to rejoice makes possible a glad heart.
We recall that the Bible promises a glad or merry heart is like good medicine (Prov. 17:22).
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