Romans 13:1-7 Conscientious Citizenship
Welcome
Welcome
Opening Prayer
Opening Remarks
Scripture Reading
Question and Discussion 1
The Greek-Roman Context of the Early Church
Paul probably wrote Romans from Corinth around A.D. 57–58. The epistle was certainly written after A.D. 52, probably toward the end of his third missionary journey (Acts 20:2–3) in A.D. 57 or 58, during his three-month stay in Corinth.
Paul probably wrote Romans from Corinth around A.D. 57–58. The epistle was certainly written after A.D. 52, probably toward the end of his third missionary journey (Acts 20:2–3) in A.D. 57 or 58, during his three-month stay in Corinth.
Claudius
Nero
AD 54–68 Nero
• 54 Jews return to Rome after Claudius’s death
• 60–2 Porcius Festus
• 62 James the Just executed during interregnum (Jos. Ant. 20.200)
• 62–5 Lucceius Albinus
• 63 Temple finally completed
• 64 Fire of Rome: persecution of Christians
• 65–6 Gessius Florus
• 66–70 Judean revolt against Rome
Rome
Question and Discussion 2
senatorial class represented the wealthy nobility of Rome and provided the primary cohort of civil and military administrators.
Question and Discussion 3
Paul means rather that all human authority is derived from God’s authority, so that we can say to rulers what Jesus said to Pilate, ‘You would have no power [exousia, authority] over me if it were not given to you from above.’ Pilate misused his authority to condemn Jesus; nevertheless, the authority he used to do this had been delegated to him by God.
Christ’s reply was no evasion, but a candid answer to the question. Holding in His hand the Roman coin, upon which were stamped the name and image of Caesar, He declared that since they were living under the protection of the Roman power, they should render to that power the support it claimed, so long as this did not conflict with a higher duty. But while peaceably subject to the laws of the land, they should at all times give their first allegiance to God.
The believer’s ultimate allegiance is to God. Wherever the demands of secular society clearly violate this higher allegiance, the Christian will act outside the law. This, of course, must not be done in a cavalier fashion.
Question and Discussion 4
Example from the OT
Example from the NT
Question and Discussion 5
Question and Discussion 5
1. For he is God’s servant to do you good (4a).
2. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath, to bring punishment … (4c).
3. The authorities are God’s servants … (6).
The restraint and punishment of evil are universally recognized as primary responsibilities of the state
Taxes
Taxation was widespread and varied in the ancient world, including a poll tax, land taxes, royalties on farm produce, and duty on imports and exports
We are not required to defy authorities. Our words, whether spoken or written, should be carefully considered, lest we place ourselves on record as uttering that which would make us appear antagonistic to law and order. We are not to say or do anything that would unnecessarily close up our way. We are to go forward in Christ’s name, advocating the truths committed to us. If we are forbidden by men to do this work, then we may say, as did the apostles, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
Every Jewish male 20 years old and older was required to pay an annual temple tax. The Greek double drachma was worth the Hebrew half a shekel, which was the equivalent of two days’ wages. This tax was designated for the upkeep of the temple
In Conclusion
The banner of truth and religious liberty held aloft by the founders p 69 of the gospel church and by God’s witnesses during the centuries that have passed since then, has, in this last conflict, been committed to our hands. The responsibility for this great gift rests with those whom God has blessed with a knowledge of His word. We are to receive this word as supreme authority. We are to recognize human government as an ordinance of divine appointment, and teach obedience to it as a sacred duty, within its legitimate sphere. But when its claims conflict with the claims of God, we must obey God rather than men. God’s word must be recognized as above all human legislation. A “Thus saith the Lord” is not to be set aside for a “Thus saith the church” or a “Thus saith the state.” The crown of Christ is to be lifted above the diadems of earthly potentates.
We are not required to defy authorities. Our words, whether spoken or written, should be carefully considered, lest we place ourselves on record as uttering that which would make us appear antagonistic to law and order. We are not to say or do anything that would unnecessarily close up our way. We are to go forward in Christ’s name, advocating the truths committed to us. If we are forbidden by men to do this work, then we may say, as did the apostles, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”