πειθαρχέω

From the study of Acts 5:29

Range of meaning

The word is built from peithomai ("to obey, be persuaded") and archē ("rule, authority"). Its basic meaning is "to obey a ruler or someone in authority", and more broadly "to follow orders" or "follow advice" (BDAG). It belongs to the language of command and rank: soldiers obeying officers, citizens obeying magistrates, a crew obeying a captain. It is less common and more formal than the everyday NT verbs for obeying (hypakouō, "listen under", and peithomai).

Against the English

English "obey" is accurate. What English cannot show is that this verb carries the idea of an authority structure. The question in the verse is not "whose advice do we follow" but "who holds rule over us".

Used elsewhere in the period

It is common in classical and Hellenistic Greek for obedience to rulers and commanders (Herodotus, Sophocles, Aristotle, Polybius). It also appears in Philo and Josephus. The New Testament uses it only four times. Three are in Acts: here; 5:32, where God gives the Holy Spirit "to those who obey him"; and 27:21, where Paul tells the crew they "should have obeyed" him. The fourth is Titus 3:1, where believers are told to be subject to rulers and authorities and "to be obedient". The same verb that says yes to rulers in Titus 3:1 is the one that sets rulers below God in Acts 5:29. Socrates' famous line to his Athenian judges, "I will obey (peisomai) the god rather than you" (Plato, Apology 29d), uses the related verb peithomai.

From the study of Acts 5:32

Range of meaning

Built from peith- ('obey, be persuaded') and archē/archōn ('rule, ruler'). It means to obey someone in authority or follow an order. It is rarer and more formal than the common NT verb for obeying, hypakouō.

Against the English

'Obey' is right, but English loses the link to authority and the deliberate echo of verse 29. Read alone, 'those who obey him' sounds like a general rule about moral performance. In context it names a side in a contest of authority.

Used elsewhere in the period

In classical writers it is used of obeying rulers or commanders. In the NT: Acts 5:29 ('we must obey God rather than men'), Acts 27:21 (the sailors should have heeded Paul), Titus 3:1 (be obedient to rulers). In the LXX it appears in 1 Esdras 8:94 for obeying the law.

From the study of Titus 3:1

Range of meaning

From 'to obey/be persuaded' (peithomai) and 'ruler/rule' (archē): to obey a ruler or superior, to follow orders, to take advice from someone in charge. It is used for soldiers and subjects, and more loosely for heeding counsel.

Against the English

'Obey' is accurate. The KJV's 'obey magistrates' adds an object the Greek leaves implied. That is a fair inference from 'rulers and authorities', but it is not written out. The YLT's 'obey rule' tries to bring out the 'ruler' element inside the verb.

Used elsewhere in the period

Only four NT uses. Acts 5:29 and 5:32: the apostles 'must obey [peitharchein] God rather than men' and the Spirit is given 'to those who obey him.' Acts 27:21: Paul says the sailors should have 'listened to' (heeded) him. It is common in Polybius, Josephus and Philo for obedience to commanders and rulers.