Romans 13: 1-7

(Romans 13: 1-7)

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

 

The Bible talks about the contents of the Gospel up to Chapter 11, that is, the doctrinal issue of how the saints can be saved, and Chapter 12 deals with how the saved Christian will live, that is, the issue of Christian ethical life. When it comes to Christian life, there are great principles, Paul explained what four basic relationships in the domain of Christian life should be: relationship with God, relationship with ourselves, relationship with each other, and relationship with enemies. We must love God, we must deny ourselves, we must love our neighbors, we must love our enemies, how can we love them?

 

It is impossible with the fleshly heart. However, it denies the heart of the flesh and thinks with the heart of the spirit. In Chapter 13, Paul further explains three relationships: the relationship to the state, the law, and the day of the Lord's Second Coming. When it comes to relations with the state, Paul first speaks of a universally applied command. Each person is to give in to the powers above. And it gives reasons for this demand. It is because the authority of the state is derived from God. We must remember that God allowed Satan to rule the earth. As long as there is a body, it cannot be helped. The way out of Satan's power is that the fleshly body (old man) must die.

 

『 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.』 Powers mean the rulers in power. The Bible tells them to obey. To obey means to abide under it. This means to recognize those above as those above. There is no authority that does not come from God, because all authority is determined by God. God is a God of order. Even in this world, we must follow the order, but we must also realize the order of the kingdom of God through the order of this world. Paul said that all human power came from the power of God, so we can tell the rulers what Jesus said to Pilate, "If I had not given it from above, there would have been no power to harm me."

 

That doesn't mean you can go further than God's Word. The fact that authority is delegated from God does not mean unconditional submission. Submission to authority is not until it causes disobedience to God. If the authority commands what God forbids or forbids what God commands, it breaks the order of God. Therefore, when it comes to conflict with the words of the rulers of the world and the words of God, we must follow the Word of God. When Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill the newborn boys, they refused to obey.

 

『 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. 』(출1:17) When Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar declared to all his servants to bow down to the golden statue, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to obey. When King Darius of Persia issued an edict that no one should pray to any god or man but to him for ten days, Daniel refused to obey. When the council forbade preaching in Jesus' name, the apostles refused to obey.

 

After asking the authorities to obey, Paul warns against those who oppose them. Not only were they against God's command, but they also said, "They will bring judgment." Therefore, submission to power is a right and wise response." For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same" The Bible says that it is wise to obey authority, because those who rule praise those who do good and punish those who do evil. These words explain the role of the ruler.

 

This is why God has given authority to those who rule. "For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." The work God entrusted to the state is related to good and evil. This is also a recurring theme throughout Romans 12–13. Paul has already told us to hate evil and belong to the good, not to repay evil for evil to anyone, but to do good publicly, and to overcome evil with good, not to lose to evil.

 

Thus, the function of the state is to promote and reward good, suppress and punish evil. When the state punishes those who do evil, it serves as God's messenger to enforce God's wrath upon them. This expression clearly implies a command that we do not avenge our enemies, but leave them to God's wrath.


『 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.  』 Paul presents a very positive concept of the state. Christians who recognize that the government's authority and ministry are from God must do more than just endure the state as if it were a necessary evil. Sincere Christian citizens obey the authority of the state and respect them. We must pay taxes and pray for the welfare of the state. They should encourage the state to take on the God-appointed role, and be actively involved in the affairs of the state as long as the opportunity is available.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Romans 12: 3-8

(Romans 12: 3-8) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.   For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.   Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;   Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;   Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.   While Romans 1-11 explained the contents of the Gospel, Chapters 12-15 deal with the concrete way of living, that is, the practical part of Christian life. 『 I beseech you the...
Read more

Romans 1: 20-32

(Romans 1: 20-32) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:   Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.   Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,   And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.   Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:   Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.   For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into...
Read more

Romans 16: 17-27

(Romans 16: 17-27) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ , but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.   For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.   Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to...
Read more