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[[File:paulmosaicgsw.jpg|right|250px|thumb|[[Paul the Apostle]] was a complex man that spoke to Christians about things ''hard to understand'' according to Peter.  He used the Greek word [[exousia]]<Ref>{{1849}}</Ref> which is well defined in the concordance but often it is poorly understood in the [[Modern Church]] for more than one reason. God has always desired that we remain [[Romans 13|subject to the power of choice]]. But our choices have consequences and Jesus did not come to save us from the consequences of the choices born out of an [[iniquity|iniquitous heart]] but to direct us through [[Doctrines of Jesus|His doctrines]] and [[The Way]] and the example of His [[Sacrifice]] that we [[might be saved]]. Claiming to be [[believer]]s by saying [[Lord Lord|Lord, Lord]] is clearly not enough according to Jesus's own words but we must seek the [[Truth]] and [[Repent]] and be [[Doers of the Word]].]]
{{Exousia}}
 
== Power of Choice ==
 
The ''[[power of choice]]'' is the ''[[right]]'' or ''[[liberty]]'' to [[choose]]. It was given man from the beginning when man was given dominion and directives at the time God breathed life into the soul of man and set before him [[Trees|two trees]]. Of course that choice include consequences and the Bible is full of stories, allegories, parables and proverbs, wisdom and [[warnings]] about what happens when we choose to go against the [[Divine will]] of God in a [[cause and effect]] universe.
 
In [[Romans 9]]:21<Ref>Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter '''power''' over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?</Ref> Paul uses  ἐξουσίαν in the accusative singular to denote "the power of choice" the potter has over the clay. But men should only be clay in God's hands which are spiritual hands. God bestows the ''[[power of choice]]'' upon mankind one individual at a time because there can be no love without choice. The individual is born in the family which is the primary [[corpus]] of mankind where two people are made one in flesh creating the next generation.<Ref>[[Matthew 19]]:4  And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made [them] at the beginning made them male and female,5  And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.</Ref>
 
The [[kingdom of God]] is from generation to generation and within the family we find the Husband and Wife as one flesh but making choices that will ''draw them nearer'' to the consequences of complying with the divine design or rebelling against it making the [[tree of life]], the [[Corban of Christ]], the [[logos|Logos of the LORD]] to none effect.
 
In the beginning God gave man certain duties and obligations which included the power of choice as an individual within the family. There was no granting of authority to choose of man over man until [[Cain]] exercised authority over his brother and later created the first city State followed by others like [[Nimrod]]'s [[Babylon]].
 
Under the [[perfect law of liberty]] national priesthood may be supported through [[charity]] through the [[freewill offerings]] of the daily [[choice]] of the people as the blessed [[Abraham]]<Ref>[[Hebrews 7]]:1  For this [[Melchisedec]], king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;</Ref> did with his [[Altars]] of [[clay and stone]] and [[faith]].
 
[[Moses]] freed the people from the [[bondage of Egypt]] through [[The Blessed Strategy]] which is often in [[Christian conflict|conflict]] with the [[strategies]] of the [[world]] and their systems of legal charity through the rulers of the world who may ''call themselves [[benefactors]] but [[exercise authority]]'' to provide a [[table]] of [[welfare]] that is a [[snare|snare and a trap]]. Those [[covetous practices]] of obtaining [[benefits]] through [[force|force and violence]] will bring their own consequences to the [[Masses]] as seen by many historians and philosophers.
 
[[Archibald MacLeish]] once said, "Freedom is the Right to Choose, the Right to create for oneself the alternatives of Choice. Without the possibility of Choice, and the exercise of Choice, a man is not a man but a member, an instrument, a thing.” 
 
God gave us choice in the garden but He did not give us choice without consequences. We may choose to walk with God and eat of His tree of wisdom and [[righteousness]] or we may choose to decide what is good and evil for ourselves eating of the [[Tree of knowledge]]. God gave us dominion over many things but He did not give us the right to choose or ''[[exercise authority]] one over one another''.
 
Men may give their ''power of choice'' to other men by making [[CCC|contracts, covenants, and constitutions]] with them<Ref>[[Exodus 23]]:32  Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.
: [[2 Corinthians 6]]:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.</Ref> which is seldom done without [[oaths]] and [[swear]]ing.
 
 
In [[Romans 13]] we see “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
 
What was Paul attempting to say in his Epistle to the Romans?
 
The phrase "higher powers" is from the Greek "exousia huperecho", [ἐξουσίαις ὑπερεχούσαις] and later the singular noun "exousia ", [ἐξουσία]<Ref name="exousia">"ἐξουσία" a noun: nominative, single, feminine</Ref> is seen in the same verse.
 
In the fifth century B.C. writings of Thucydides the Greek word ''exousia'' is used by Antiphon Orator meaning “an ability to do something” if there were no hindrances (Kittel, 2:562). The word generally denotes the "right to act according to moral standards". It can be used in an official sense to describe the authority of a king but before kings ''exousia'' was used to denote the natural choice to do or not do something by right.
 
=== Set us free ===
 
The word "ἐξουσία" appear 4 times in reference to an adversarial jurisdiction, 12 times in reference to a right, 11 times concerning conflicts of justice and 51 times in reference to Jesus. [[Jesus]] as the [[Christ]] came to set us free if we will [[repent]] and seek the [[kingdom of God]] and His [[righteousness]].
 
Christ came to set us free, even the ''whole [[world]] might be saved'' from the tyranny of sin. Paul goes on to warn us after telling us to let every soul remain subject to that God endowed right to choose and stated that if anyone opposed that power or right to choose the would be ''opposing the ordinance of God''.<Ref>[[Romans 13]]:2  "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." </Ref> [[The Higher Liberty]] is the original right to choose granted to men as individual free souls under God. Even the [[Ten Commandments]] explains that we should not make covenants with the [[Gods|gods many]] of the [[world]] who then have the power to choose for us. Jesus also told us to [[swear not]], a warning repeated by James,<Ref>James 5:12  But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.</Ref> because those oaths diminish the individuals "right to choose".
 
There was a time when there was [[no king]] in Israel. God did not tell man to choose a king. [[Cain]] and Nimrod set up such systems but when ''the [[voice]] of the people chose to have a ruler in Israel it was said they ''rejected God''.
 
[[Christ]] did not come to subject us to [[Babylon]] or [[Pharaoh]] or to entangle us again in the [[bondage]] of [[Egypt]] or in the [[elements]] of the [[world]].
 
The New Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon "ἐξουσία" is defined:
: (1) power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases; leave or permission
: (2) physical and mental power; the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises
: (3) the power of authority (influence) and of right; delegated authority
: (4) the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed; authority (Page 225).
 
Government is not even mentioned until the 4th definition and all governments are not top down. In fact it is generally believed that governments can only derive their just powers from the [[consent]] of the people whom they govern. <Ref>“Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the [[consent]] of the governed.” The Declaration of Independence.</Ref>
 
While the point of [[consent]] may be debated there should be little doubt that the "power of rule or government" begin with the people as natural rights vested in every man by God.<Ref>We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.  The Declaration of Independence.</Ref> Not the power to rule your brother like [[Cain]] and [[Nimrod]] but to rule over our own passions in [[righteousness]] as free [[soul]]s under God.
 
 
 
ἐξουσίαις - noun: dative, plural, feminine
# power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases
::    a. leave or permission
 
We also see ''ἐξουσίαις'' in reference to heavens rights not the government of men:
: [[Ephesians 3]]:10 noun: dative, plural, feminine
: GRK: καὶ ταῖς ἐξουσίαις ἐν τοῖς
: NAS: to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly
: KJV: and powers in
: INT: and the authorities in the
 
And gain ἐξουσίαις appears in [[Titus 3]]:1 speaking to [[early Christians]] not engaged in [[covetous practices]] but living by [[fervent charity]] in the practice of [[pure Religion]] warning them to be cooperative and not a brawler but certainly not excusing praying or applying to the ''[[Fathers]] upon the earth'' or those who claim to be [[benefactors]] but exercise authority one over the other.
: noun: dative, plural, feminine
: GRK: αὐτοὺς ἀρχαῖς ἐξουσίαις ὑποτάσσεσθαι πειθαρχεῖν
: NAS: to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient,
: KJV: and powers, to obey magistrates, [This is not the word normally translated magistrate]
: INT: them to rulers to authorities to be subject to be obedient
 
So who is the king and who should a real Christian be obeying?<Ref>Acts 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
: Acts 5:32  And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
: Colossians 3:22  Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
: 2 Thessalonians 1:8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
: 1 Peter 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel
: Acts 6:7  And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
: Romans 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
: Romans 16:26  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
: 2 Corinthians 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
: 1 Peter 1:2  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.</Ref>
 
ὑπερεχούσαις - verb: present, active, participle, dative, plural, feminine
# to have or hold over one
 
The words "governing authorities" is really a paraphrase and novel interpretation of "ἐξουσίαις ὑπερεχούσαις" which may match many modern eschatological but not necessarily what Christians were doing in the [[early Church]].
 
: In [[Romans 13]]:1 ὑπερεχούσαις is translated "higher".
: In [[Philippians]] 2:3  ὑπερεχούσαις is translated "better than".
: In [[Philippians]] 3:8  ὑπερεχούσαις is translated ''"the excellency" of the knowledge of Christ Jesus.''
: In [[Philippians]] 4:7    ὑπερεχούσαις is translated "passeth" in reference to "... the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
: In [[1 Peter 2]]:13  ὑπερεχούσαις is translated "supreme" in reference to the king by the same man who said ''there is another king one Jesus'' and did ''contrary to the decrees of Caesar''.<Ref>[[Acts 17]]:7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus.</Ref>
 
 
As singular ἐξουσίᾳ (exousia) <Ref name="exousia"></Ref> is also seen 29 times in the text of verses [http://biblehub.com/greek/exousian_1849.htm Ref.]:
: Matthew 21:23 N-DFS
: GRK: Ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιεῖς
: NAS: By what authority are You doing
: KJV: what authority doest thou
: INT: By what authority these things do you
 
: Matthew 21:24 N-DFS
: GRK: ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ
: NAS: you by what authority I do
: KJV: by what authority I do these things.
: INT: by what authority these things I do
 
: Matthew 21:27 N-DFS
: GRK: ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ
: NAS: you by what authority I do
: KJV: by what authority I do these things.
: INT: by what authority these things I do
 
: Matthew 28:18 N-NFS
: GRK: μοι πᾶσα ἐξουσία ἐν οὐρανῷ
: NAS: All authority has been given
: KJV: saying, All power is given unto me
: INT: to me all authority in heaven
 
: Mark 11:28 N-DFS
: GRK: Ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιεῖς
: NAS: to Him, By what authority are You doing
: KJV: what authority doest thou
: INT: By what authority these things do you
 
: Mark 11:29 N-DFS
: GRK: ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ
: NAS: you by what authority I do
: KJV: by what authority I do these things.
: INT: by what authority these things I do
 
: Mark 11:33 N-DFS
: GRK: ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ
: NAS: you by what authority I do
: KJV: by what authority I do these things.
: INT: by what authority these things I do
 
: Luke 4:32 N-DFS
: GRK: ὅτι ἐν ἐξουσίᾳ ἦν ὁ
: NAS: for His message was with authority.
: KJV: was with power.
: INT: for with authority was the
 
: Luke 4:36 N-DFS
: GRK: ὅτι ἐν ἐξουσίᾳ καὶ δυνάμει
: NAS: message? For with authority and power
: KJV: for with authority and power
: INT: that with authority and power
 
: Luke 20:2 N-DFS
: GRK: ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιεῖς
: NAS: us by what authority You are doing
: KJV: what authority doest thou
: INT: by what authority these things you do
 
: Luke 20:8 N-DFS
: GRK: ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ
: NAS: you by what authority I do
: KJV: by what authority I do these things.
: INT: by what authority these things I do
 
: Luke 20:20 N-DFS
: GRK: καὶ τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος
: NAS: Him to the rule and the authority of the governor.
: KJV: and authority of the governor.
: INT: and to the authority of the governor
 
: Luke 22:53 N-NFS
: GRK: καὶ ἡ ἐξουσία τοῦ σκότους
: NAS: hour and the power of darkness
: KJV: hour, and the power of darkness.
: INT: and the power of the darkness
 
: Acts 1:7 N-DFS
: GRK: τῇ ἰδίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ
: NAS: has fixed by His own authority;
: KJV: in his own power.
: INT: his own authority
 
: Acts 5:4 N-DFS
: GRK: τῇ σῇ ἐξουσίᾳ ὑπῆρχεν τί
: NAS: was it not under your control? Why
: KJV: thine own power? why
: INT: the own authority it was [not] why
 
: Romans 13:1 N-NFS
: GRK: γὰρ ἔστιν ἐξουσία εἰ μὴ
: NAS: For there is no authority except
: KJV: there is no power but of
: INT: indeed there is authority if not
 
: Romans 13:2 N-DFS
: GRK: ἀντιτασσόμενος τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ τῇ τοῦ
: NAS: resists authority has opposed
: KJV: resisteth the power, resisteth
: INT: sets himself against the authority the
 
: 1 Corinthians 8:9 N-NFS
: GRK: πως ἡ ἐξουσία ὑμῶν αὕτη
: NAS: that this liberty of yours
: KJV: this liberty of yours
: INT: somehow the right of you this
 
: 1 Corinthians 9:12 N-DFS
: GRK: ἐχρησάμεθα τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ ταύτῃ ἀλλὰ
: NAS: this right, but we endure
: KJV: used this power; but suffer
: INT: we did use the right this but
 
: 1 Corinthians 9:18 N-DFS
: GRK: καταχρήσασθαι τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ μου ἐν
: NAS: as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
: KJV: not my power in the gospel.
: INT: using up the right of me in
 
: Jude 1:25 N-NFS
: GRK: κράτος καὶ ἐξουσία πρὸ παντὸς
: NAS: dominion and authority, before
: KJV: dominion and power, both now
: INT: dominion and authority before all
 
: Revelation 6:8 N-NFS
: GRK: ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς ἐξουσία ἐπὶ τὸ
: NAS: was following with him. Authority was given
: KJV: him. And power was given unto them
: INT: was given to them authority over the
 
: Revelation 9:3 N-NFS
: GRK: ἐδόθη αὐταῖς ἐξουσία ὡς ἔχουσιν
: NAS: upon the earth, and power was given
: KJV: was given power, as
: INT: was given to them power as have
 
: Revelation 9:10 N-NFS
: GRK: αὐτῶν ἡ ἐξουσία αὐτῶν ἀδικῆσαι
: NAS: and in their tails is their power to hurt
: KJV: and their power [was] to hurt men
: INT: of them the power of them to injure
 
: Revelation 9:19 N-NFS
: GRK: ἡ γὰρ ἐξουσία τῶν ἵππων
: NAS: For the power of the horses
: KJV: For their power is in
: INT: the indeed powers of the horses
 
: Revelation 12:10 N-NFS
: GRK: καὶ ἡ ἐξουσία τοῦ χριστοῦ
: NAS: of our God and the authority of His Christ
: KJV: God, and the power of his Christ:
: INT: and the authority the Christ
 
: Revelation 13:5 N-NFS
: GRK: ἐδόθη αὐτῷ ἐξουσία ποιῆσαι μῆνας
: NAS: words and blasphemies, and authority to act
: KJV: and power was given
: INT: was given to it authority to act months
 
: Revelation 13:7 N-NFS
: GRK: ἐδόθη αὐτῷ ἐξουσία ἐπὶ πᾶσαν
: NAS: and to overcome them, and authority over
: KJV: them: and power was given him
: INT: was given to it authority over every
 
: Revelation 22:14 N-NFS
: GRK: ἔσται ἡ ἐξουσία αὐτῶν ἐπὶ
: NAS: so that they may have the right to the tree
: KJV: they may have right to the tree
: INT: will be the right of them to
 
 
== Terms of the Times ==
 
:: '''"Ancient texts require ancient dictionaries."'''
 
 
To claim that Paul is actually saying that we should be at liberty to obey God rather than be subject to the will of other men is a bold accusation against the doctrines of modern Christendom. Has the Church been steadily deceived, by either negligence or design, arrogance or ignorance?
 
A theme throughout the Bible has been to set men free so we should be willing to examine how the word [[exousia]] was used by the Greeks and the authors of those sacred texts in the days of Christ. Although the use of words changes over time the Greek Glossary of Aristotelian Terms states that [[exousia]] means “right”.<Ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-politics/</Ref>
 
Aristotle actually exemplifies exousia’s use in the statement, “The right (exousia) to do anything one wishes...”<Ref>Lawmakers and Ordinary People in Aristotle, by Paul Bullen (1996) http://paul.bullen.com/BullenLawmakers.html (VI. 4.1318b38-1319a4)</Ref>
 
The rights or privileges of governments are ordained of men. That ordination of power into the hands of governments almost always occurs when the people reject God<Ref>[[1 Samuel 8]]:7 “And the LORD said ... they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” [[1 Samuel 10]]:19 “And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out ... but set a king over us ...”[[1 Samuel 15]]:23. To Saul “... thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being] king.” [[Luke 7]]:30 “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.” [[Luke 20]]:17 “... The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?”</Ref> and choose to go away from His ways<Ref>[[Joshua 24]]:15 “... choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods ... the LORD.” [[Judges 5]]:8 “They chose new gods;...” [[Judges 10]]:14 “Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.” Jeremiah 11:12 “Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods .. they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.” [[1 Samuel 8]]:18 “And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.”</Ref> and out of His presence.<Ref>[[Genesis 3]]:8 “... Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD...” Ge 4:16 “Cain went out from the presence of the LORD...”</Ref>
 
Since we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights it makes sense to say our original right to choose is ordained of God. Since man is a creation of God and governments are a creation of men the power maintained by those governments is based on the consent or actions of men, not upon any appointment by God.
 
In Plato’s notes the “Greek words for freedom (are) eleutheros (liberal/Free), exousia (Freedom/Power to do something), ...”<Ref>uiowa.edu/~lsa/bkh/lla/plato</Ref>
 
While Plato and Aristotle’s definition of the word exousia was from a classical Greek period, their opinion was still in conformity with the second century A.D. Cynic philosopher, Enomaos.
 
Aldo Brancacci examines the definition of ‘freedom’ in his Liberta e fato in Enamao di Gadara. In Bryn Mawr’s Classical Review we see, “Brancacci notices that the term used by Enomaos to refer to human freedom is not the typical Cynic one (eleutheria), but exousia, which expresses ‘the new concept of freedom in opposition to the already defunct and unhelpful eleutheria’.”<Ref>Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2001.08.19 On this issue, see S. Bobzien, Determinism and Freedom in Stoic Philosophy, Oxford 1998, chap. 6. http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/bmcr/2001/2001-08-19.html</Ref>
 
Enomaos’, sometimes written Oenomaos’, writings were preserved by Eusubius. For at least five centuries the word exousia consistently referenced human liberty and freedom. Are we supposed to believe that Paul is telling us to give up our freedom and liberty and become subject once again? Or have we already?
 
God sent [[Abraham]], [[Moses]], Joshua, Samson, Gideon and a host of others to set us free in truth. We were to be free souls under God, created by God and have no other [[gods]] before Him.
 
Are we supposed to believe that Jesus was only going to set us free spiritually and leave us in physical bondage? It seems a slave mentality to believe that we can only be “free at last, free at last”<Ref>From a Negro spiritual “Free at Last” originally sung by slaves at funerals.</Ref> when we are dead.
 
* “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” [[John 8]]:36
 
It is our prayer that the truth of this will become self-evident.
 
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{| class="wikitable" style="float:left; margin-left: 10px;" width="45%"
|'''declension'''
| ''' of '''
|'''εξουσία'''
|-
|
|singular
|plural
|-
|nominative
|εξουσία •
|εξουσίες •
|-
|genitive
|εξουσίας •
|εξουσιών •
|-
|accusative
|εξουσία •
|εξουσίες •
|-
|vocative
|εξουσία •
|εξουσίες •
|-
|
|
|
|}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





Revision as of 08:06, 16 February 2023

Paul the Apostle was a complex man that spoke to Christians about things hard to understand according to Peter. He used the Greek word exousia[1] which is well defined in the concordance but often it is poorly understood in the Modern Church for more than one reason. God has always desired that we remain subject to the power of choice. But our choices have consequences and Jesus did not come to save us from the consequences of the choices born out of an iniquitous heart but to direct us through His doctrines and The Way and the example of His Sacrifice that we might be saved. Claiming to be believers by saying Lord, Lord is clearly not enough according to Jesus's own words but we must seek the Truth and Repent and be Doers of the Word.

Power of Choice

The power of choice is the right or liberty to choose. It was given man from the beginning when man was given dominion and directives at the time God breathed life into the soul of man and set before him two trees. Of course that choice include consequences and the Bible is full of stories, allegories, parables and proverbs, wisdom and warnings about what happens when we choose to go against the Divine will of God in a cause and effect universe.

In Romans 9:21[2] Paul uses ἐξουσίαν in the accusative singular to denote "the power of choice" the potter has over the clay. But men should only be clay in God's hands which are spiritual hands. God bestows the power of choice upon mankind one individual at a time because there can be no love without choice. The individual is born in the family which is the primary corpus of mankind where two people are made one in flesh creating the next generation.[3]

The kingdom of God is from generation to generation and within the family we find the Husband and Wife as one flesh but making choices that will draw them nearer to the consequences of complying with the divine design or rebelling against it making the tree of life, the Corban of Christ, the Logos of the LORD to none effect.

In the beginning God gave man certain duties and obligations which included the power of choice as an individual within the family. There was no granting of authority to choose of man over man until Cain exercised authority over his brother and later created the first city State followed by others like Nimrod's Babylon.

Under the perfect law of liberty national priesthood may be supported through charity through the freewill offerings of the daily choice of the people as the blessed Abraham[4] did with his Altars of clay and stone and faith.

Moses freed the people from the bondage of Egypt through The Blessed Strategy which is often in conflict with the strategies of the world and their systems of legal charity through the rulers of the world who may call themselves benefactors but exercise authority to provide a table of welfare that is a snare and a trap. Those covetous practices of obtaining benefits through force and violence will bring their own consequences to the Masses as seen by many historians and philosophers.

Archibald MacLeish once said, "Freedom is the Right to Choose, the Right to create for oneself the alternatives of Choice. Without the possibility of Choice, and the exercise of Choice, a man is not a man but a member, an instrument, a thing.”

God gave us choice in the garden but He did not give us choice without consequences. We may choose to walk with God and eat of His tree of wisdom and righteousness or we may choose to decide what is good and evil for ourselves eating of the Tree of knowledge. God gave us dominion over many things but He did not give us the right to choose or exercise authority one over one another.

Men may give their power of choice to other men by making contracts, covenants, and constitutions with them[5] which is seldom done without oaths and swearing.


In Romans 13 we see “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

Exousia

What was Paul attempting to say in his Epistle to the Romans?

The phrase "higher powers" is from the Greek "exousia huperecho", [ἐξουσίαις ὑπερεχούσαις] and later the singular noun "exousia ", [ἐξουσία][6] is seen in the same verse.

In the fifth century B.C. writings of Thucydides the Greek word exousia is used by Antiphon Orator meaning “an ability to do something” if there were no hindrances (Kittel, 2:562). The word generally denotes the "right to act according to moral standards". It can be used in an official sense to describe the authority of a king but before kings exousia was used to denote the natural choice to do or not do something by right.


The word "ἐξουσία" appear 4 times in reference to an adversarial jurisdiction, 12 times in reference to a right, 11 times concerning conflicts of justice and 51 times in reference to Jesus. Jesus as the Christ came to set us free if we will repent and seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Setting the Captive free

What was the sin in the camp of the golden calf? Was it idolatry? Is Idolatry covetousness?[7]
They were setting up covetous practices, a partially common purse, a central treasury, that could lead to the Corban of the Pharisees and a returning to Egypt and the way Nicolaitans as all socialist states do.
God endowed man with choice and the power to choose.[8]
We call that individual power of choice rights and liberty.
If we give that choice to others or the power to make choices for us, then we mock God. When the people put their wealth in this institution, this reserve fund set up by Aaron they no longer had direct power of choice over that wealth God had given them when they left the bondage of Egypt.


Setting the Captive free is a common theme of the Bible.

Christ came to set us free, even the whole world might be saved from the tyranny of sin. Paul goes on to warn us after telling us to let every soul remain subject to that God endowed right to choose and stated that if anyone opposed that power or right to choose the would be opposing the ordinance of God.[9] The Higher Liberty is the original right to choose granted to men as individual free souls under God. Even the Ten Commandments explains that we should not make covenants with the gods many of the world who then have the power to choose for us. Jesus also told us to swear not, a warning repeated by James,[10] because those oaths diminish the individuals "right to choose".

There was a time when there was no king in Israel. God did not tell man to choose a king. Cain and Nimrod set up such systems but when the voice of the people chose to have a ruler in Israel it was said they rejected God.

Christ did not come to subject us to Babylon or Pharaoh or to entangle us again in the bondage of Egypt or in the elements of the world.

The New Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon "ἐξουσία" is defined:

(1) power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases; leave or permission
(2) physical and mental power; the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises
(3) the power of authority (influence) and of right; delegated authority
(4) the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed; authority (Page 225).

Government is not even mentioned until the 4th definition and all governments are not top down. In fact it is generally believed that governments can only derive their just powers from the consent of the people whom they govern. [11]

While the point of consent may be debated there should be little doubt that the "power of rule or government" begin with the people as natural rights vested in every man by God.[12] Not the power to rule your brother like Cain and Nimrod but to rule over our own passions in righteousness as free souls under God.

Where do we see exousia

ἐξουσίαις - noun: dative, plural, feminine

  1. power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases
a. leave or permission

We also see ἐξουσίαις in reference to heavens rights not the government of men:

Ephesians 3:10 noun: dative, plural, feminine
GRK: καὶ ταῖς ἐξουσίαις ἐν τοῖς
NAS: to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly
KJV: and powers in
INT: and the authorities in the

And gain ἐξουσίαις appears in Titus 3:1 speaking to early Christians not engaged in covetous practices but living by fervent charity in the practice of pure Religion warning them to be cooperative and not a brawler but certainly not excusing praying or applying to the Fathers upon the earth or those who claim to be benefactors but exercise authority one over the other.

noun: dative, plural, feminine
GRK: αὐτοὺς ἀρχαῖς ἐξουσίαις ὑποτάσσεσθαι πειθαρχεῖν
NAS: to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient,
KJV: and powers, to obey magistrates, [This is not the word normally translated magistrate]
INT: them to rulers to authorities to be subject to be obedient

So who is the king and who should a real Christian be obeying?[13]

ὑπερεχούσαις - verb: present, active, participle, dative, plural, feminine

  1. to have or hold over one

The words "governing authorities" is really a paraphrase and novel interpretation of "ἐξουσίαις ὑπερεχούσαις" which may match many modern eschatological but not necessarily what Christians were doing in the early Church.

In Romans 13:1 ὑπερεχούσαις is translated "higher".
In Philippians 2:3 ὑπερεχούσαις is translated "better than".
In Philippians 3:8 ὑπερεχούσαις is translated "the excellency" of the knowledge of Christ Jesus.
In Philippians 4:7 ὑπερεχούσαις is translated "passeth" in reference to "... the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
In 1 Peter 2:13 ὑπερεχούσαις is translated "supreme" in reference to the king by the same man who said there is another king one Jesus and did contrary to the decrees of Caesar.[14]


As singular ἐξουσίᾳ (exousia) [6] is also seen 29 times in the text of verses Ref.:

Matthew 21:23 N-DFS
GRK: Ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιεῖς
NAS: By what authority are You doing
KJV: what authority doest thou
INT: By what authority these things do you
Matthew 21:24 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ
NAS: you by what authority I do
KJV: by what authority I do these things.
INT: by what authority these things I do
Matthew 21:27 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ
NAS: you by what authority I do
KJV: by what authority I do these things.
INT: by what authority these things I do
Matthew 28:18 N-NFS
GRK: μοι πᾶσα ἐξουσία ἐν οὐρανῷ
NAS: All authority has been given
KJV: saying, All power is given unto me
INT: to me all authority in heaven
Mark 11:28 N-DFS
GRK: Ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιεῖς
NAS: to Him, By what authority are You doing
KJV: what authority doest thou
INT: By what authority these things do you
Mark 11:29 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ
NAS: you by what authority I do
KJV: by what authority I do these things.
INT: by what authority these things I do
Mark 11:33 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ
NAS: you by what authority I do
KJV: by what authority I do these things.
INT: by what authority these things I do
Luke 4:32 N-DFS
GRK: ὅτι ἐν ἐξουσίᾳ ἦν ὁ
NAS: for His message was with authority.
KJV: was with power.
INT: for with authority was the
Luke 4:36 N-DFS
GRK: ὅτι ἐν ἐξουσίᾳ καὶ δυνάμει
NAS: message? For with authority and power
KJV: for with authority and power
INT: that with authority and power
Luke 20:2 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιεῖς
NAS: us by what authority You are doing
KJV: what authority doest thou
INT: by what authority these things you do
Luke 20:8 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ
NAS: you by what authority I do
KJV: by what authority I do these things.
INT: by what authority these things I do
Luke 20:20 N-DFS
GRK: καὶ τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος
NAS: Him to the rule and the authority of the governor.
KJV: and authority of the governor.
INT: and to the authority of the governor
Luke 22:53 N-NFS
GRK: καὶ ἡ ἐξουσία τοῦ σκότους
NAS: hour and the power of darkness
KJV: hour, and the power of darkness.
INT: and the power of the darkness
Acts 1:7 N-DFS
GRK: τῇ ἰδίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ
NAS: has fixed by His own authority;
KJV: in his own power.
INT: his own authority
Acts 5:4 N-DFS
GRK: τῇ σῇ ἐξουσίᾳ ὑπῆρχεν τί
NAS: was it not under your control? Why
KJV: thine own power? why
INT: the own authority it was [not] why
Romans 13:1 N-NFS
GRK: γὰρ ἔστιν ἐξουσία εἰ μὴ
NAS: For there is no authority except
KJV: there is no power but of
INT: indeed there is authority if not
Romans 13:2 N-DFS
GRK: ἀντιτασσόμενος τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ τῇ τοῦ
NAS: resists authority has opposed
KJV: resisteth the power, resisteth
INT: sets himself against the authority the
1 Corinthians 8:9 N-NFS
GRK: πως ἡ ἐξουσία ὑμῶν αὕτη
NAS: that this liberty of yours
KJV: this liberty of yours
INT: somehow the right of you this
1 Corinthians 9:12 N-DFS
GRK: ἐχρησάμεθα τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ ταύτῃ ἀλλὰ
NAS: this right, but we endure
KJV: used this power; but suffer
INT: we did use the right this but
1 Corinthians 9:18 N-DFS
GRK: καταχρήσασθαι τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ μου ἐν
NAS: as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
KJV: not my power in the gospel.
INT: using up the right of me in
Jude 1:25 N-NFS
GRK: κράτος καὶ ἐξουσία πρὸ παντὸς
NAS: dominion and authority, before
KJV: dominion and power, both now
INT: dominion and authority before all
Revelation 6:8 N-NFS
GRK: ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς ἐξουσία ἐπὶ τὸ
NAS: was following with him. Authority was given
KJV: him. And power was given unto them
INT: was given to them authority over the
Revelation 9:3 N-NFS
GRK: ἐδόθη αὐταῖς ἐξουσία ὡς ἔχουσιν
NAS: upon the earth, and power was given
KJV: was given power, as
INT: was given to them power as have
Revelation 9:10 N-NFS
GRK: αὐτῶν ἡ ἐξουσία αὐτῶν ἀδικῆσαι
NAS: and in their tails is their power to hurt
KJV: and their power [was] to hurt men
INT: of them the power of them to injure
Revelation 9:19 N-NFS
GRK: ἡ γὰρ ἐξουσία τῶν ἵππων
NAS: For the power of the horses
KJV: For their power is in
INT: the indeed powers of the horses
Revelation 12:10 N-NFS
GRK: καὶ ἡ ἐξουσία τοῦ χριστοῦ
NAS: of our God and the authority of His Christ
KJV: God, and the power of his Christ:
INT: and the authority the Christ
Revelation 13:5 N-NFS
GRK: ἐδόθη αὐτῷ ἐξουσία ποιῆσαι μῆνας
NAS: words and blasphemies, and authority to act
KJV: and power was given
INT: was given to it authority to act months
Revelation 13:7 N-NFS
GRK: ἐδόθη αὐτῷ ἐξουσία ἐπὶ πᾶσαν
NAS: and to overcome them, and authority over
KJV: them: and power was given him
INT: was given to it authority over every
Revelation 22:14 N-NFS
GRK: ἔσται ἡ ἐξουσία αὐτῶν ἐπὶ
NAS: so that they may have the right to the tree
KJV: they may have right to the tree
INT: will be the right of them to


Terms of the Times

"Ancient texts require ancient dictionaries."


To claim that Paul is actually saying that we should be at liberty to obey God rather than be subject to the will of other men is a bold accusation against the doctrines of modern Christendom.

Is the Modern Church and the modern Christian doing what the early Church and the early Christian was doing?

Is their a Christian conflict with the world or are modern Christians in conformity to the world and its modern Corban and in conflict with the Corban of Christ?

Has the modern Church and the masses been steadily deceived, by either negligence or design, arrogance or ignorance so that they have returned to the bondage of Egypt?

A theme throughout the Bible has been to set the captive free so we should be willing to examine how the word exousia was used by the Greeks and the authors of those sacred texts in the days of Christ meant them. Although the use of words changes over time the Greek Glossary of Aristotelian Terms states that exousia means “right”.[15]

Aristotle actually exemplifies exousia’s use in the statement, “The right (exousia) to do anything one wishes...”[16]

The rights or privileges of governments are ordained of men.

That ordination of power into the hands of governments almost always occurs when the people reject God[17] and choose to go away from His ways[18] and out of His presence.[19]

Since we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights it makes sense to say our original right to choose is ordained of God. Since man is a creation of God and governments are a creation of men the power maintained by those governments is based on the consent or actions of men, not upon any appointment by God.

In Plato’s notes the “Greek words for freedom (are) eleutheros (liberal/Free), exousia (Freedom/Power to do something), ...”[20]

While Plato and Aristotle’s definition of the word exousia was from a classical Greek period, their opinion was still in conformity with the second century A.D. Cynic philosopher, Enomaos.

Aldo Brancacci examines the definition of ‘freedom’ in his Liberta e fato in Enamao di Gadara. In Bryn Mawr’s Classical Review we see, “Brancacci notices that the term used by Enomaos to refer to human freedom is not the typical Cynic one (eleutheria), but exousia, which expresses ‘the new concept of freedom in opposition to the already defunct and unhelpful eleutheria’.”[21]

Enomaos’, sometimes written Oenomaos’, writings were preserved by Eusubius. For at least five centuries the word exousia consistently referenced human liberty and freedom. Are we supposed to believe that Paul is telling us to give up our freedom and liberty and become subject once again? Or have we already?

God sent Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samson, Gideon and a host of others to set us free in truth. We were to be free souls under God, created by God and have no other gods before Him.

Are we supposed to believe that Jesus was only going to set us free spiritually and leave us in physical bondage? It seems a slave mentality to believe that we can only be “free at last, free at last”[22] when we are dead.

  • “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36

It is our prayer that the truth of this will become self-evident.



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declension of εξουσία
singular plural
nominative εξουσία • εξουσίες •
genitive εξουσίας • εξουσιών •
accusative εξουσία • εξουσίες •
vocative εξουσία • εξουσίες •


The Higher Liberty

The Higher Liberty is an iconoclastic examination of Romans 13 and other specious teachings which are an indictment the modern Church revealing a fuller gospel of the Kingdom for this world and the next. The consistent warnings of the prophets throughout the entire Bible and the purpose of the Church appointed by Christ as one form of government shines new light on modern apostasy. The simple truth of how God made you to be free souls, serving Him in Spirit and in Truth may bear witness in your hearts and minds.

Much of what is in this book will allow you to see the truth of the gospel in comparison to those who do contrary to the ways of God and make His word to none effect and have brought you back into a bondage to the gods many of the world through damnable heresies. Arm yourselves with His truth that will set you free. chapter-by-chapter or Order


Footnotes

  1. 1849 ~ἐξουσία~ exousia \@ex-oo-see’-ah\@ from 1832 (in the sense of ability); n f AV-power 69, authority 29, right 2, liberty 1, jurisdiction 1, strength 1; 103 See Romans 13
    1) power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases
    1a) leave or permission
    2) physical and mental power
    2a) the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises
    3) the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege)
    4) the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed)
    4a) universally
    4a1) authority over mankind
    4b) specifically
    4b1) the power of judicial decisions
    4b2) of authority to manage domestic affairs
    4c) metonymically
    4c1) a thing subject to authority or rule
    4c1a) jurisdiction
    4c2) one who possesses authority
    4c2a) a ruler, a human magistrate
    4c2b) the leading and more powerful among created beings superior to man, spiritual potentates
    4d) a sign of the husband’s authority over his wife
    4d1) the veil with which propriety required a women to cover herself
    4e) the sign of regal authority, a crown
    For Synonyms see entry 5820
  2. Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
  3. Matthew 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made [them] at the beginning made them male and female,5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
  4. Hebrews 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
  5. Exodus 23:32 Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.
    2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "ἐξουσία" a noun: nominative, single, feminine
  7. Covetousness is idolatry
    Colossians 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:"
    Ephesians 5:5 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."
    1 Corinthians 5:10 "Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."
  8. "Freedom is the Right to Choose, the Right to create for oneself the alternatives of Choice. Without the possibility of Choice, and the exercise of Choice, a man is not a man but a member, an instrument, a thing.” Archibald MacLeish
  9. Romans 13:2 "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."
  10. James 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
  11. “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” The Declaration of Independence.
  12. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. The Declaration of Independence.
  13. Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
    Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
    Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
    2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
    1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel
    Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
    Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
    Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
    2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
    1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
  14. Acts 17:7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus.
  15. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-politics/
  16. Lawmakers and Ordinary People in Aristotle, by Paul Bullen (1996) http://paul.bullen.com/BullenLawmakers.html (VI. 4.1318b38-1319a4)
  17. 1 Samuel 8:7 “And the LORD said ... they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” 1 Samuel 10:19 “And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out ... but set a king over us ...”1 Samuel 15:23. To Saul “... thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being] king.” Luke 7:30 “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.” Luke 20:17 “... The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?”
  18. Joshua 24:15 “... choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods ... the LORD.” Judges 5:8 “They chose new gods;...” Judges 10:14 “Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.” Jeremiah 11:12 “Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods .. they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.” 1 Samuel 8:18 “And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.”
  19. Genesis 3:8 “... Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD...” Ge 4:16 “Cain went out from the presence of the LORD...”
  20. uiowa.edu/~lsa/bkh/lla/plato
  21. Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2001.08.19 On this issue, see S. Bobzien, Determinism and Freedom in Stoic Philosophy, Oxford 1998, chap. 6. http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/bmcr/2001/2001-08-19.html
  22. From a Negro spiritual “Free at Last” originally sung by slaves at funerals.


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