Rule

Greek Word Pronunciation: bra-BEU-oh
Strong’s Number: 1018
Goodrich/Kohlenberger Number: 1093
Key Verse: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." -- Colossians 3:15

The verb brabeuo refers to the activities of the umpire whose office at the games is to direct, arbitrate, and decide the contest. In the wider sense, it then came to mean “to order, rule, or control.” The noun form, brabeion, refers to a “prize” bestowed in connection with the games. In both the verb and noun forms, this word is employed by Paul four times in the New Testament.

Paul illustrates the racing technique in the Greek athletic games of the efforts put forth by the athletes in their endeavor to win the ultimate prize in 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize” and Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

In Colossians 2:18, Paul warns, “Do not let anyone keep defrauding (disqualify in NIV; beguile in KJV) you of the prize.” This is a compound verb. By adding the preposition kata onto the basic verb brabeuo, the word becomes “to give judgment against.” In this verse, it refers to false teachers who taught a doctrine of angelic mediation. Their purpose was to “trip up” the believers in their “race,” thus causing them to lose their reward. Lightfoot says, “The Christian’s career is the contest of the stadium ... Christ is the umpire, the dispenser of the rewards.”

In COLOSSIANS 3:15, Paul says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” Wherever there is a conflict of motives or impulses or reasons, the peace of Christ must step in and decide which is to prevail. As indicated by the present tense imperative, as members of the One Body of Christ, the saints are commanded to continually enjoy peace. This peace not only refers to individual tranquility of heart, but to peace among the members of the Body in relations to one another.