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Power and Authority: Stewards, Not Rulers
27:30
What the video says
This is a live adult religious education session from the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Bethesda, Maryland, streamed via the Orthodox Christian Network. The speaker reflects on the biblical distinction between power (dynamis) and authority (exousia), contrasting worldly power—which corrupts—with the self-emptying power of Christ, who came to heal and restore.
He emphasizes that Christians are stewards, not owners, of the authority God grants them, and that true power flows from union with God, humility, repentance, and love for others.
Key moments
- The speaker cites Lord Acton's famous quote, 'Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,' noting that Acton also said 'Great men are almost always bad men,' and that such corruption affects both leaders and their followers.
- The fall of Adam and Eve is interpreted as the origin of corrupting power: their sin was seeking life apart from God, exercising self-will and power over themselves.
- In the temptation in the wilderness, the devil offers Christ the kingdoms of the world, revealing that even the devil knew his authority was not intrinsic but permitted by God; Christ rejects worldly power.
- In Christ's exchange with Pilate (John 18-19), the Greek word exousia is better translated as 'authority'—Pilate's power was delegated 'from above,' since nothing happens apart from God's will.
- The speaker explains the Greek terms: dynamis (mighty, miraculous power) and exousia (authority), noting that most English translations of 'power' in the New Testament should often be read as 'authority.'
- When the 70 disciples rejoice in their power over demons, Christ tells them not to rejoice in the power itself but that their names are written in heaven—rejoicing in a heart right with God.
- The example of Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8), who tried to purchase the gift of God's power, shows that power must never be sought for its own sake, even with good intentions.
- Christians are stewards, not owners, of everything given to them—homes, children, money, positions; the owner mindset is where corruption of power begins, and we must give an account to Christ.
In an adult education session from the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Bethesda, Maryland, streamed via the Orthodox Christian Network, speaker Michael Haldas explores the biblical distinction between power and authority. He begins with Lord Acton's warning that power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely, extending the point to followers as well as leaders.
Tracing the theme through Scripture, he interprets the fall of Adam and Eve as the origin of corrupting power: the first sin was exercising self-will, seeking life apart from God. In the temptation in the wilderness, the devil's offer of the kingdoms of the world shows that even demonic authority is only permitted by God, and Christ refuses worldly power altogether.
Turning to Christ's trial before Pilate, Haldas notes that the Greek word exousia is better rendered 'authority' than 'power'—Pilate's authority was delegated 'from above,' since nothing occurs apart from God's will. He explains the Greek vocabulary of the New Testament: dynamis, mighty or miraculous power, and exousia, authority, observing that many English translations of 'power' should really be read as 'authority.' When the seventy disciples rejoice that demons submit to them, Christ redirects their joy: they should rejoice not in power over spirits but that their names are written in heaven—a heart right with God.
The example of Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8, who tried to buy the gift of God, shows that spiritual power must never be sought for its own sake, even with good intentions. The session's central claim is that all power and authority come from God, making Christians stewards rather than owners—of homes, children, money, and positions alike.
True power flows from self-emptying, humility, repentance, and union with God, and may rightly be used to heal, restore, and help others, never for selfish gain. The owner mindset, Haldas argues, is where the corruption of power begins, and stewards must give an account to Christ.
Main points
- Lord Acton's warning that power corrupts applies to leaders and their followers alike.
- The fall of Adam and Eve is read as the origin of corrupting power: self-will, seeking life apart from God.
- Greek terms matter: dynamis (mighty power) vs. exousia (authority); Pilate's authority was delegated 'from above.'
- Christ rejects worldly power in the wilderness temptation; the seventy are told to rejoice in salvation, not power over demons.
- Christians are stewards, not owners, of all they are given, and must give an account to Christ.