πειθαρχ-έω G3980
To obey one in authority, submit to a ruler or authoritative command; comply with direction.
Built from peitho (persuade, trust) and arche (authority, rule), this verb denotes obedience directed specifically toward those in positions of authority — whether divine or civil. The dramatic declaration in Acts 5:29, 'We must obey God rather than men,' uses this word to set divine authority above human, making it a landmark text on conscience and civil disobedience. Acts 5:32 links obedience to receiving the Holy Spirit. Acts 27:21 applies it practically — the sailors should have 'obeyed' Paul's nautical advice. Titus 3:1 calls believers to be ready to obey rulers and authorities.
Senses
1. sense 1 — To obey or submit to those in authority — a structured, authority-directed obedience rather than mere compliance. Spanish obedecer, German gehorchen, and French obéir all capture this official dimension. Acts 5:29 establishes the hierarchy: obeying God takes precedence over human rulers. Acts 5:32 ties obedience to God's gift of the Spirit, Acts 27:21 applies it to heeding Paul's practical counsel aboard ship, and Titus 3:1 extends it to civic submission toward governing authorities. 4×
AR["أَن-يُطيعوا", "أَنْ-نُطِيعَ", "لَمَّا-أَطَعْتُمُونِي", "يُطِيعُونَهُ"]·ben["আজ্ঞা-পালন-করা", "বাধ্য-হইয়া", "বাধ্য-হতে", "যারা-আজ্ঞা-পালন-করে"]·DE["gehorchen", "Πειθαρχεῖν", "πειθαρχήσαντάς", "πειθαρχοῦσιν"]·EN["having-obeyed", "obeying", "to-obey"]·FR["obéir", "πειθαρχεῖν"]·heb["לְ-צַיֵּת", "לִשְׁמֹעַ", "נִשְׁמָעִים"]·HI["आज्ञा-मानना", "मअन्न;", "मानकर"]·ID["Harus-taat", "menuruti", "taat", "taat;"]·IT["obbedire", "peitharchein"]·jav["Manut", "manut", "manut;", "nurut"]·KO["복종하는-자들-에게", "복종해야-한다", "순종하도록", "순종하여"]·PT["obedece-rem;", "tendo-obedecido"]·RU["повиноваться", "повинующимся", "послушавшись"]·ES["Obedecer", "habiéndome-obedecido", "obedecer", "que-obedecen"]·SW["Kumtii", "kutii", "mlingenitii", "wanaomtii"]·TR["itaat-edenlere", "itaat-edip", "itaat-etmek-gerek", "itaat-etmek;"]·urd["فرمانبردار-ہونا", "فرمانبردار-ہونے-والوں", "فرمانبرداری-کرنا", "مان-کر"]
Related Senses
H8104 1. Qal: keep, observe (law/covenant) (399×)G3101 1. disciple, learner (263×)H5826 1. Qal: to help, aid (53×)H8334 1. to minister, serve (52×)H8334 2. minister, servant, attendant (46×)G5083 1. observe or obey commands (41×)H8104 2. Niphal: beware, take heed (34×)G1247 1. to serve or minister to (32×)H3256 1. discipline, chastise (Piel active) (27×)H5833 1. help, aid, assistance (26×)H8104 3. Qal: watch, look out (26×)H5341 1. keep, observe (commandments) (24×)G5083 2. guard or protect someone (23×)H5647 2. serve, minister to (a person) (21×)H5826 2. Qal participle: helper (21×)G5219 1. obey, be obedient to (20×)H5341 2. guard, protect, preserve (a person) (20×)G1398 1. serve, render service to (19×)H5828 1. help, assistance (19×)H5411 1. Nethinim, temple servants (18×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
πειθαρχ-έω, obey one in authority, absolutely, πειθαρχεῖ.., ἄπληκτος ὥσπερ ἵππος Refs 5th c.BC+; ὡς ἂν.. τοῖς πηδαλίοις ἡ ναῦς π. Refs 5th c.BC+; στρατηγοῦ Refs 3rd c.BC+; τινος Refs 2nd c.BC+:—middle, ἔθνος.. πειθαρχέεσθαι ἑτοῖμον Refs 5th c.BC+