God And Sovereignty

1/22/2006

Ken Nisewanger

God’s Sovereignty Introduction: The purpose of this paper is not to provide the only interpretation of the scriptures, but rather to provide a basis for further investigation. Simply taking someone else’s view does not replace proper research, questions and prayer. If you choose to use this document, use this only as part of further research. Fides quaerens intellectum (faith seeking understanding), Anselm of Canterbury (1033 – 1109).

God’s Sovereignty There are several questions pertaining to God’s Sovereignty. These include, among others, what the intent and context of the text is. Additionally how does one interpret the text? We will limit this discussion of God’s sovereignty to differences in the translations, specific meaning of the words (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), and finally intent of the text.

Assumptions Our assumption and faith is that our God is Divine. As such, He is infallible, omnipresent, and omnipotent. The bible is the divinely inspired word of God. The bible is not just a reference given to a specific culture or time; rather it is for all people and is the word of God for all times.

What is sovereign and sovereignty? Merriam-Websgter defines sovereign and sovereignty as: “sov·er·eign Function: noun Etymology: Middle English soverain, from Old French, from soverain, adjective 1 a : one possessing or held to possess sovereignty b : one that exercises supreme authority within a limited sphere c : an acknowledged leader : ARBITER” “sov·er·eign·ty Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural –ties Etymology: Middle English soverainte, from Middle French soveraineté, from Old French, from soverain 1 obsolete : supreme excellence or an example of it 2 a : supreme power especially over a body politic b : freedom from external control : AUTONOMY c : controlling influence 3 : one that is sovereign; especially : an autonomous state

Does the Bible refer to God as Sovereign? Without choosing a specific translation the question is impossible to answer. There are several translations, people often debate which translation is best. Nevertheless, the point to remember is, they are all translations. Each will have a predisposition to which text they choose and how they choose to translate it. Let us address some translation issues first and thereafter refer to the Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek directly. The KJV (King James Version) version does not use the word sovereign, yet the NIV (New International Version) list it 299 times. Some may (I have not researched every reference) refer to local leaders of the time, but most refer to God directly. The NASB (New American Standard Bible 95) only lists it once. Of course this does not include any use of the translated word such as “ruler” or “Lord” which may be interpreted to have the same meaning. This of course returns us to the point that these are translations. How one translates a specific word is as important as the context. Referring to specific words there are a couple that are common in the old testament such as ynda ‘adown’, as in vv Ex 23:17, Ex 34,23 which translates as sovereign, controller, lord, master, owner. Also ynda ‘Adonay’, which is actually a more emphatic form of adown and translates as both Lord and sovereign. vv Ge 15:2, 8, De 3:24. You find these examples in Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Judges, Samuel etc… When we refer to Daniel we find jylv shalliyt (Aramaic), which means mighty, premier, captain, ruler. In fact Daniel 4:17 says […] so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men […] (NIV). Another translation is “[…] to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men […]” (KJV). Using this example that one could argue that both translations are correct. Other than the difference of the wording “Sovereign” and “most High ruleth”, one can easily infer a single meaning. In the New Testament one finds in Acts, 2 Peter, Jude, etc… the word despothv despotes, which translates as absolute ruler, Lord, master. Additionally of note, this word comes from dew deo, which is a primary verb meaning to bind. Acts 4:24 states “When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.” (NIV); “And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord (despothv despotes), thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them” (KJV). As in the above example, even though the KJV does not use the word sovereign the NIV does. Here too, both may be correct and have the same meaning. Additionally ‘Lord God’ is often found in the Holy Bible. With this combination of words you find Lord (despothv despotes, as above) and God which translates from yeov theos, meaning deity or “the supreme divinity”. Since sovereign or sovereignty is defined as someone having “supreme authority” or “supreme power” then the above examples may lead us to think that the specific English word ‘Sovereign’ may be applied correctly in the above examples. Moreover, the use of ‘Lord God’ indicates an “absolute ruler” and “supreme divinity”. If the argument is, the KJV does not use the word Sovereign then that is a correct statement. However one must admit that, regardless of translation, the use of ‘Sovereign’ is contextually correct.

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What does it mean for God to be sovereign? A sovereign, as stated above, is an authority that is a controlling influence and supreme. Therefore if God is our sovereign, He then has supreme authority over us, is our acknowledged leader and controlling influence. Our God, if He is sovereign, can command us at His will, control or lead us as He sees fit and it would then be our duty to obey the word of our God.

Are there any examples of God’s sovereignty over us? First let us look at the Old Testament Commandments. (Exodus 20:1-6) And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, […] Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (KJV) (Exodus 20:5-6) […] for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (KJV) Here in the Ten Commandments, we see again our God calling Himself “the LORD thy God” and in v 6 God says He will show mercy to those that keep (rmv shamar, observe) His commandments (hwum mitzvah, law). Our God commands us to adhere to His law. In fact, several places in the Old Testament God commands us to obey. Looking at Paul’s letter to the Romans we find an example of God’s sovereignty. (Romans 9:17-18) For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth. (KJV) (Romans 9:21-23) Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory, (KJV) The above verses state quite clearly the power and extent of God’s sovereignty over us. In Exodus God provides us with His law and commands. In Romans 9:18 God decides to whom He will show mercy and whose heart to harden. God not only has the right, but also does so for His reasons, that His power ‘might be declared throughout all the earth’. Romans 9:21 makes the comparison of a potter having power over his own clay. The potter as our Lord makes us as He sees fit according to His purposes. Paul even states previously (cf Romans 9:14) that God is right and just in this.

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Summary Choosing one translation over another to decide if a specific word is used ignores the fact that these are translations. Translations convert one language (ancient text in this case) to contemporary (for the time is was written) understanding. Different translations will, by their nature differ. To be sure of context however, one must refer to the original texts wherever possible. In this case, when looking at the words (Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek) in context, the translations do not differ in meaning, only in the specific words chosen to convey that meaning. When examining these verses and their meaning it is clear that God is our sovereign. Further study shows by both example and analogy God’s right, reason, and the extent of His authority over us. Our God “is sovereign over the kingdom of men” and our “Sovereign Lord [… which] made the heaven, and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them”. He made us for His purpose for His glory.

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