Topical Encyclopedia
The term "potentate" refers to a person who possesses great power and authority, often used to describe a sovereign ruler or monarch. In the context of the Bible, the term is used to emphasize the supreme authority and sovereignty of God, as well as to describe earthly rulers who hold significant power.
Biblical Usage:1.
Divine Sovereignty: The concept of God as the ultimate Potentate is central to the biblical narrative. God's sovereignty is depicted throughout Scripture, affirming His supreme authority over all creation. In
1 Timothy 6:15, the Apostle Paul refers to God as the "blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords" . This passage highlights God's unparalleled authority and His role as the ultimate ruler over all earthly and heavenly powers.
2.
Earthly Rulers: While the term "potentate" is not frequently used in most English translations of the Bible, the concept is present in descriptions of earthly kings and rulers. These individuals are often depicted as having significant power and influence, yet their authority is always subordinate to God's ultimate rule. For example, in the Old Testament, figures such as Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and other monarchs are portrayed as potentates with considerable authority, yet their power is ultimately subject to God's will and purpose.
3.
Christ as Potentate: In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is depicted as the ultimate Potentate, embodying both divine and kingly authority.
Revelation 19:16 describes Christ as having the title "King of kings and Lord of lords" inscribed on His robe and thigh, signifying His supreme authority over all rulers and nations. This portrayal underscores the belief in Christ's ultimate victory and dominion over all creation.
Theological Implications:The recognition of God as the supreme Potentate carries significant theological implications. It affirms the belief in God's omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence, underscoring His control over the universe and His ability to accomplish His divine purposes. This understanding provides believers with assurance of God's sovereignty and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.
Furthermore, the acknowledgment of Christ as the Potentate emphasizes His role in the divine plan of salvation and His authority over the Church and the world. Believers are called to submit to Christ's lordship, recognizing His authority in their lives and the world at large.
Practical Application:For Christians, the concept of God and Christ as the ultimate Potentates serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and submission to divine authority. It encourages believers to trust in God's sovereign plan, even amidst earthly challenges and uncertainties. Additionally, it calls for a life of obedience and reverence, acknowledging God's rightful place as the supreme ruler of all.
In summary, the term "potentate" in the biblical context underscores the supreme authority of God and Christ, highlighting their roles as the ultimate rulers over all creation and earthly powers. This understanding shapes the believer's perspective on authority, sovereignty, and the divine order of the universe.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) One who possesses great power or sway; a prince, sovereign, or monarch.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
POTENTATEpo'-ten-tat (dunastes, "mighty one," from dunamai, "to be able"): A person who possesses great power and authority. Only in1 Timothy 6:15, "the blessed and only Potentate" (= God). The same Greek word is used of Zeus in Sophocles (Ant. 608), and of God in Apocrypha (e.g. Sirach 46:5; 2 Maccabees 15:3, 13). It is used of men inLuke 1:52 (the King James Version "the mighty," the Revised Version (British and American) "princes") andActs 8:27 ("of great authority").
Greek
1413. dunastes -- a ruler, apotentate... a ruler, a
potentate. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: dunastes
Phonetic Spelling: (doo-nas'-tace) Short Definition: a ruler,
potentate...2135. eunouchos -- a eunuch
... noo'-khos) Short Definition: a eunuch, keeper of the bed-chamber Definition: (a)
a chamberlain, keeper of the bed-chamber of an easternpotentate, eunuch, (b...
2362. thronos -- a throne
... thronos Phonetic Spelling: (thron'-os) Short Definition: a throne, seat Definition:
a (king's) throne, seat; meton: power, dominion; apotentate....
1849. exousia -- power to act, authority
... ability); privilege, ie (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or
(objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman,potentate, token of...
Strong's Hebrew
7333. razon --potentate... 7332, 7333. razon. 7334 .
potentate. Transliteration: razon Phonetic Spelling:
(raw-zone') Short Definition: prince's. Word Origin
...7983. shilton -- mastery
... authority (1). power. (Aramaic) from shalat; apotentate; --power. see HEBREW
shalat. 7982, 7983. shilton. 7984 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
1 Timothy vi. 13-16
... without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in
his times He shall show, Who is the blessed and onlyPotentate, the King of...
Certain Passages from Scripture, Urged against the Omnipotence of...
... 39. Although it is written concerning God, "Blessed and onlyPotentate," [1948]
yet I have no misgiving that the Son of God is thereby severed from Him, seeing...
That the Son is Very God, of the Same Substance with the Father....
... For if He had said, "Whom in His own time the Father will show, who is the blessed
and onlyPotentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath...
That the Father and the Son must not be Divided is Proved by the...
... must not be divided [2124] is proved by the words of the Apostle, seeing that it
is befitting to the Son that He should be blessed, onlyPotentate, and immortal...
Accession of Cyrus to the Throne.
... and yet, in subsequent years, when he had arrived at full maturity, have learned
to regard him simply in the light of a great politicalpotentate, as likely as...
Contemporary Pagan and Heretical Hymns
... of which begins,. Lord, hail,potentate of the water, hail, ruler of the
earth, hail,potentate of the spirit.[47]. Hippolytus, a...
Introduction
... filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion and speak evil of dignities."
Yes, they "speak evil" of the Supreme Dignity, the "OnlyPotentate, the King...
God his Own Interpreter.
... The government is his. He is the "OnlyPotentate, the King of kings and Lord
of lords." (1 Timothy 6:15.). There is only OnePotentate...
The Invasion of Greece and the Battle of Marathon.
... anger against the Athenians."Civil dissensions in Greece."The tyrants."Periander."
His message to a neighboringpotentate."Periander's intolerable...
The Pearl.
... several generations. It passed, like provinces, frompotentate topotentate
by natural inheritance or the fortunes of war. If it...
Thesaurus
Potentate (1 Occurrence)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
POTENTATE.
... Only in 1 Timothy 6:15, "the blessed and
only
Potentate" (= God). The same Greek word is used of Zeus in Sophocles (Ant.
...Potent (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (a.) Powerful, in an intellectual or moral sense; having great influence; as,
potent interest; a potent argument. 4. (n.) A prince; apotentate....
Potiphar (4 Occurrences)
Man (26072 Occurrences)
... temporal and spiritual power in any degree similar to that in which the man of sin
is here described as wielding it, he, be he pope orpotentate, is beyond all...
Prince (160 Occurrences)
... In the other New Testament passages the word archon, "apotentate," "a person in
authority," "a magistrate," occurs most frequently (compare Matthew 9:34...
Ruler (329 Occurrences)
... (9), (10) shilTon, "a commander," "an officer": "the rulers of the provinces" (Daniel
3:2); shalliT, "a person in power," "apotentate" (Daniel 2:10); there...
Elamites (2 Occurrences)
... he erected at Susa, but the principal buildings of this period were constructed
by Ba-sa-Susinak, son of Simbi-ishak, viceroy of Susa andpotentate in Elam....
Shew (226 Occurrences)
... (KJV). 1 Timothy 6:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only
Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; (KJV DBY YLT)....
Elam (24 Occurrences)
... he erected at Susa, but the principal buildings of this period were constructed
by Ba-sa-Susinak, son of Simbi-ishak, viceroy of Susa andpotentate in Elam....
Names (133 Occurrences)
... 6:18); "King" (1 Timothy 1:17); "King of kings" (1 Timothy 6:15); "King of kings,"
"Lord of lords" (Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16); "Potentate" (1 Timothy...
Resources
What is the Order of DeMolay? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit and God's omnipresence? | GotQuestions.orgPotentate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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