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Lording (2634) (katakurieuo from katá =an intensifier or down + kurieúo = have dominion over) means to have dominion "down" on others and includes the idea of domineering as in the rule of a strong person over one who is weak. It means to exercise dominion over, bring under one's power, bring into subjection, to become master, gain dominion over or to subdue.
The preposition kata (“down”) indicates intensity and depicts a heavy-handed use of authority for personal aggrandizement, manifesting itself in the desire to dominate and accompanied by a haughty demand for compliance. It speaks of a high-handed autocratic rule over the flock, something forbidden of true shepherds. This cautionary note however does not do away with God-ordained, properly exercised authority which is to be administered in the local church by the pastor and the elders. Other Greek verbs are used for the exercise of legitimate authority (see proistemi [4291] = stand before in rank, have charge over in 1Thes 5:12, 1Ti 5:17, poimaino in 1Peter 5:2)
The idea of exerting lordship over others combines elements of power and authority, the root word kurios being derived in turn from a root meaning “to swell,” “to be strong,” so that kurios means “having power,” “empowered,” “authorized,” “valid.” The power denoted is a power of control rather than physical strength.
TDNT writes that...
Although the force of the katá is mostly lost in ordinary usage, it conveys the sense of rule to one’s own advantage in Mk 10:42 (Gentile rulers), Acts 19:16 (the evil spirit), and 1 Pet. 5:2-3 (the admonition to the elders). (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans)
The present tense describes this behavior as a habitual practice.
Katakurieuo occurs 4 times in the NAS (Matthew; Mark; Acts; 1 Peter) and is translated in NAS as lord it over, 2; lording it over, 1; subdued, 1 and in the KJV as be lord over, 1; exercise dominion over, 1; exercise lordship over, 1; overcome, 1.
In this context, “lording it over” means to dominate someone or some situation and implies leadership by manipulation and intimidation. If you've been a Christian for some time, you most likely have witnessed this attitude from time to time.
The Septuagint (LXX) uses katakurieuo in describing God's lordship in exercising complete dominion writing...
May He also rule (katakurieuo) from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. (Psalm 72:8)
In Genesis 1 the Septuagint (LXX) uses katakurieuo of God's decree to man to exercise appropriate lordship...
And God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue (katakurieuo) it; and rule over (archo) the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth. (Genesis 1:28, cf similar use in Genesis 9:1)
In the LXX of Psalm 119 the writer personifies "iniquity" as a harsh lord writing...
Establish my footsteps in Thy word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion (katakurieuo) over me. (Psalm 119:133, similar use of katakurieuo in Ps 19:13) (This is a great prayer, especially as a prayer to follow up praying Ps 119:38)
Katakurieuo is used in a good sense in Jeremiah, where Jehovah declares to rebellious Israel...
'Return, O faithless sons,' declares the LORD; 'For I am a master (katakurieuo) to you, And I will take you one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.' (Jer 3:14)
Ezekiel indicted the false shepherds who were "fleecing the sheep" and out only for self-gain writing that
“with force and with severity you have dominated them (the sheep - Israel).” (Ezekiel 34:4, 5).
Lording it over others is the third major temptation for a pastor, the first being laziness (1Peter 5:2) and the second being dishonest finances (1Peter 5:2). All are to be assiduously avoided by shepherds and elders!
MacDonald rightly comments that...
Many of the abuses in Christendom would be eliminated by simply obeying the three instructions in verses 2, 3. The first would abolish all reluctance. The second would spell the end of commercialism. The third would be the death of officialism in the church. (MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments. Nashville: Thomas Nelson)
Jesus directly condemned such abuse of authority among His followers (Mt 20:25, 26, 27; Mk 10:42, 43, 44). The tragic impact of such an attitude is illustrated by the account of Diotrephes in 3 Jn 9,10. All genuine rule in the church is in no sense a lordship but an administration of Christ’s lordship by His willing servants. Shepherds and elders should be examples, not dictators. They should be walking out in front of the flock, not driving them from behind. They should not treat the flock as if it belonged to them. This strikes at the very heart of authoritarianism!
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