The Greek epitagē (G2003) is a command or authoritative directive, from epitassō (to arrange or command). Paul uses it of God's eternal command in Romans 16:26: 'the mystery now disclosed... made known through the prophetic writings by the command (epitagē) of the eternal God.' In Titus 1:3, Paul writes that he was 'entrusted with this task by the command (epitagē) of God our Savior.' The word carries the force of non-negotiable divine authority.
Epitagē establishes that Paul's apostleship and the proclamation of the gospel are not human projects but divine commissions carrying the full weight of God's authority. In 1 Corinthians 7:6, Paul carefully distinguishes his personal counsel ('I, not the Lord') from his apostolic commands (epitagē — 'the Lord, not I'). The epitagē of God operates through the apostolic word — which is why Paul can say in Titus 2:15: 'Teach these things. Encourage and rebuke with all authority (epitagē). Do not let anyone despise you.'