Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5215 authority  »  5220 authority, abuse of

The misuse of a person's freedom of action in order to exploit, oppress or treat other people in a way that is not for their good.

Warnings against the abuse of authority

By employers over employees

Ephesians 6:9 See also Leviticus 25:43; Deuteronomy 24:14

By fathers over children

Ephesians 6:4 pp Colossians 3:21

By husbands over wives

Colossians 3:19

By elders over the church

1 Peter 5:2-3 See also Ezekiel 34:2-7

By those mistreating foreigners

Exodus 22:21 See also Exodus 23:9

By leaders over those who are led

Matthew 20:25-27 pp Mark 10:42-44 See also Luke 22:25-26

By those taking advantage of the helpless or poor

Exodus 22:22 See also Proverbs 22:22; Ezekiel 22:29; Zechariah 7:10

By those who oppress others

Jeremiah 22:17 See also Psalm 73:8; Psalm 119:134; Ezekiel 22:7

Examples of the abuse of authority

Genesis 16:6 See also Exodus 1:11; 1 Kings 12:14; James 2:6

See also

5310  exploitation
5347  injustice
5395  lordship, human & divine
5448  poverty, attitudes to
8790  oppression
8827  selfishness