Archō in its active form means "to rule," "to govern," or "to be first." Appearing only 2 times in the NT in its active form (Mark 10:42; Romans 15:12), it is much more common as a prefix in compound words. The related noun archōn (ruler, prince) appears 37 times. The core idea is holding first position — beginning, priority, and authority.
Jesus' response to the disciples' power-seeking (Mark 10:42–45) directly confronts archō: "Those who are regarded as rulers (archontes) of the Gentiles lord it over them... Not so with you." The kingdom reverses the world's archō — greatness is found in servanthood. Yet Christ Himself holds ultimate archō: He is the "ruler (archōn) of the kings of the earth" (Revelation 1:5) and "head (archē) of every power and authority" (Colossians 2:10). The archē that rules with a servant heart — this is the revolutionary politics of the kingdom.