seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Romans 13:1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
I think the commentary has some interesting notions.Every soul: This certainly includes Christians. Paul simply says that we should be subject to the governing authorities. This was in contrast to groups of zealous Jews in that day who recognized no king but God and paid taxes to no one but God.
No authority except from God: God appoints a nation’s leaders, but not always to bless the people. Sometimes it is to judge the people or to ripen the nation for judgment.
We remember that Paul wrote this during the reign of the Roman Empire. It was no democracy, and no special friend to Christians — yet he still saw their legitimate authority.
Do what is good, and you will have praise: Paul’s idea is that Christians should be the best citizens of all. Even though they are loyal to God before they are loyal to the state, Christians are good citizens because they are honest, give no trouble to the state, pay their taxes, and — most importantly — pray for the state and the rulers.
He does not bear the sword in vain: The sword is a reference to capital punishment. In the Roman Empire, criminals were typically executed by beheading with a sword (crucifixion was reserved for the worst criminals of the lowest classes). Paul, speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has no doubt that the state has the legitimate authority to execute criminals.
Well, isn't that interesting? Paul talked about the government to the government. Remember, he's not preaching to a hall full of Christians. Paul has been arrested and he is testifying in Rome about his devotion to a man Rome executed on the Cross. As we read in the last bit from the commentary "crucifixion was reserved for the worst criminals of the lowest classes". Paul was accused of sticking up for a man who has been crucified! Why didn't Paul ask that one question that would send Rome into a tailspin. "Where's the body?"
One little note here. I keep thinking about the fact Jesus said we should pay taxes. He said the money came from Ceasar and we should repay Ceasar. After all, who paid those guys who stayed and fought the fire in Hawaii? Who pays the people who protect us from villains? Who pays to construct the roads and even sweep them up after they built them? Who pays the army to protect us? Who pays the people who will go in and help clean up the mess?
It's not stupid to pay taxes. The Bible tells us so!
My Online Bible titled this posting. "Submission to Governing Authorities" was Paul's way of saying "We're no threat to you." Rome was afraid of what would happen if a mob of humans who were not afraid of dying decided they didn't want to be governed by the man in charge.
I wonder if Rome was afraid of facing a mob of humans who were not afraid of dying asking the question of every day... "Where's the body?"
I thought about naming this post "paying taxes" or "Where's the body?", but my online Bible titled it for me.
"Submission to Governing Authorities"
