Romans 13:1-7
Notes
Transcript
Review
Review
Paul is still going to be telling us how then we should live in light of our salvation and progressive sanctification.
In Chapter 12 he has given us four basic Christian relationships:
(1-2) Our relationship to God
(3-8) Our relationship to ourselves
(9-16) Our relationship to each other
(17-21 Our relationship to our enemies
Introduction
Introduction
If you only focus on the quarterly schedule, the seven verses of 13:1-7 seem out of place.
But in context of what Paul has just written about our relationship to our enemies and the historical context of the time, it fits in perfectly. This is another one of those moments that when you are reading or listening to the whole book at one time, jumps out at you.
Historical context:
Nero became emperor in AD 54 as a 16 year old and reigns for almost 14 years until he commits suicide at age 30
Nero will be the Caesar Paul appeals to in Acts 25.
His reign begins mildly but will progress with Nero killing his own step-brother, wife, and mother.
His wrath is turned to the church when he turns attention away from himself by blaming Christians for the fire that burned almost all of Rome in July AD 64.
The historian Tacitus describes these atrocities: “Covered with the skins of beasts, [Christians] were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as nightly illumination when daylight had expired.”
When Paul is writing Romans in AD 57-58, Nero hasn’t completely lost his mind and began his persecution of the church, but the signs are beginning to show that he will not be friendly to Christians in Rome.
Christian Submission to Authorities
Christian Submission to Authorities
1 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. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
1: Every soul: the whole person, everyone
1: We are to submit because God has established every single governing authority that exists
How are we to see evil governing authorities? God ordains for blessing AND for judgement
Isaiah 45:1 “1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;” is a biblical example of God establishing an authority for judgement
2: resisteth the ordinance of God: To not submit properly (that’s key) is to rebel against God
2: “damnation” : condemnation might be a better way for us to think about this. We tend to think of damnation as hell. Condemnation can just as easily mean civil or economic judgement. If we resist, we may also bring the judgement of the authorities which is the judgement of God
3 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: 4 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.
3: terror to good works:
Lister to Peter 1 Peter 2:13–14 “13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.”
Since they are appointed by God to carry out his judgments, they are objects of fear not for the righteous but only for the wicked. Government is supposed to be a friend of the righteous and an enemy of those who do evil.
Paul even says a good government will praise the righteous acts of righteous people. So we have two options:
4: a minister: All leaders are subject to Christ and will be judged by Christ on how they fulfilled that role. That’s all the way from supervisor at work, to a husband and father at home, the elders leading a church, the governor leading a state, and a president leading a nation!
revenger: The role of the government ordained by God is the punisher of evil. This is biblically up to and including the death penalty for capitol crimes
Clarification and Example
Clarification and Example
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
5: conscience: The unbeliever will primarily be motivated by the danger of facing the wrath of government, but the Christian will depend upon conscience. Paul mentioned that in Chapter 2
Romans 2:14–15 “14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)”
Here conscience is still an inner awareness of God’s will, but for the Christian it is based on the knowledge of God’s will that is informed and transformed by the Spirit:
Romans 12:1–2 “1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
conscience is negative and positive: The negative force is primarily true here for unbelievers, while for Christians it functions positively, telling what God wants us to do.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
6: pay ye tribute: The primary example of submission then and maybe now is paying taxes.
There was a “tax revolt” in Rome in AD 58 due to the governments increasing demands
Paul is telling Christians to show their submission to the state by paying the taxes they owed
This comes from Jesus Matthew 17:24–27 “24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.”
7: render therefore:
Matthew 22:21 “21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”
Paul concludes by saying to give to all the government all that we owe.
Conclusion
Conclusion
It’s not like Paul is writing in the environment most of us grew up with and until recently held a more positive than negative view of Christianity.
That’s what’s made this one hard for me. Convicting me for my own attitudes and thoughts.
We tend to think: “I hold onto my “no” until you can prove to me you are worthy of my “yes”.” This isn’t what Paul is saying. To submit means to acknowledge our place in the order of God’s creation of the individual and our role the family, the government, and the church and their place under God.
Paul demands submission but not blind obedience—the believer respects and submits in every way possible except when the government asks something contrary to God’s will.
Submit does not always mean to obey. But we as Christians better make absolutely sure we have thought about what it means to disobey.
We are called to speak against and even pronounce the judgement of God against evil authorities. But when it comes to active disobedience, done correctly we WILL face the consequences of the authority we disobey and what penalty that action brings. Done incorrectly, we will face God for our rebellion.
The only guide we have to answer the HARD questions of when to do what is the Bible. Then we must rely on God’s grace and mercy for the outcome both in this world and the one to come!
