Subject unto the higher powers
a Study of Romans 13
Perhaps one of the most controversial sections of Scripture is the thirteenth chapter of Paul's epistle to the Romans. Questions and answers abound as to whether Paul was instructing his listeners to be subject to the government, or to the Church or even to the angels. The purpose of this Study is to search and see if we can determine his intent.
- 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.
It has been thought and suggested that these passages are introduced completely out of context from the rest of his epistle, and as such their authenticity is sometimes questioned. But when considered and pondered more thoroughly, we will see that Paul's subject flows smoothly along with what preceded and what followed.
To gain adequate insight into this section of Scripture, we will need to take the time necessary to consider many of these individual words and phrases which the apostle used. Only then can we expect to arrive at a better understanding as to his intent. Let's begin then with this word subject (from the Greek word hypotasso). Paul used it three previous times in this epistle.
- ROMANS 8:7, 20 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. . . . . For the creature [creation, 8:22] was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope.
- ROMANS 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted [subjected] themselves unto the righteousness of God.
It at first seems most un-natural for one to allow himself to be subject unto anything or anyone outside of himself. To circumvent our own wills to that of another flows against every natural tendency. As such, relinquishing certain powers to another requires a unique set of circumstances. Either we are forced to do so, as in the case of bondage and slavery; or we voluntarily do so for some greater benefit, as perhaps when we confess Yeshua (Jesus) as Lord (ROMANS 10:9), and therewith abandon our own selfish wills and resign ourselves to GOD's.
Thus, Paul first used the word hypotasso in this epistle (8:7) to describe an individual whose thinking was contrary to righteousness (8:4), because he was not willing to subject himself unto the spiritual law of GOD (7:14). Specifically, he was writing that those who unjustly criticized and disparaged their fellow believers were walking after the flesh, and were thus carnally minded, at enmity with GOD. Being deceived (7:11) by an erroneous interpretation of the Mosaic Law, they were misguided and thus were themselves guilty of doing the very thing which they hated (see the Study No Condemnation).
Next (8:20), Paul reminded his readers that the creation itself was made subject to vanity. In other words, everything was vain and to no purpose outside of the will of GOD. Only when the individual recognized that life was for learning, and that everything that happened was for the express purpose of teaching us how to be holy and righteous and godly for the next life, only then does one's existence have any true and significant meaning (see the Study, Nurturing and Harvesting the Fruit of the Spirit).
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Then in the tenth chapter (verse 3) Paul wrote that many of his fellow Jews had totally missed the righteousness of GOD because they refused to submit themselves unto HIS righteousness. Instead, they labored feverishly to perfect their own righteousness, being totally ignorant of GOD's righteousness.
Thus, this word submit has important significance for us in understanding Paul's intent in this epistle. He was writing to the believers at Rome that they must be willing to bow the knee and set aside their own will for GOD's. They must cease from doing it their own way and learn to do it HIS way. Indeed, they must subject themselves to HIM. Otherwise they were at enmity with GOD and missing out on the whole purpose for their lives.
But when Paul instructed them in this thirteenth chapter to be subject unto the higher powers he was saying more than simply that they were to be subject unto GOD. Rather, they were to be subject unto GOD's ministers. Who these ministers were we are not precisely told here, but as we work our way through this Study hopefully we shall be able to ferret out this important question.
The phrase higher powers is in the plural, and is not often used by Paul elsewhere as such. It has been suggested (Oscar Cullmann, Christ and Time, page 194) that when Paul used the plural that he was always referring to heavenly powers (EPHESIANS 3:10; 6:12 & COLOSSIANS 1:16; 2:15). But that assertion is not entirely accurate, for he did use the plural in his letter to Titus (3:1) where it was most assuredly referring to earthly rulers.
Besides, in these same passages of ROMANS 13, though Paul did refer to these powers (from the Greek word exousia) in the plural twice, he referred to them in the singular three times. As such, it would appear that no great significance can be placed upon the tense of the word here. In other words, we can't determine that he meant heavenly powers just because he used the plural form of the word. A few verses later (ROMANS 13:7) when Paul stated that the believer was to render tribute and dues to these higher powers, it is doubtful that he could have been referring to heavenly powers.
Elsewhere in ROMANS he used this word exousia to describe a potter's power over his clay (ROMANS 9:21). Then, in a speech recounting his former lifestyle, he used it to describe the authority which he himself had received from the chief priests (ACTS 26:10, 12). As such, there is good reason to understand him as referring to some kind of earthly power instead of to heavenly powers.
We are further told in this first verse of the thirteenth chapter that these powers were ordained of GOD. That is a real head scratcher if we think them to be civil powers. Nero was the emperor of Rome at the time of Paul's writing and we know that he ended up being a savage ruler, crucifying many hundreds if not thousands of believers. And then it was King Herod who had the apostle James murdered, and would have killed Peter also if an angel had not intervened (ACTS 12). How can we suppose that Paul was encouraging his fellow believers to be submissive unto them?
And the Jewish authorities were not much better, imprisoning and even murdering noble believers such as Stephen (ACTS 7:59). Surely Paul was not suggesting that they were to subject themselves unto these evil rulers? It should also be noted that the apostles on more than one occasion had declared that the believers were to obey GOD, not man (ACTS 4:19; 5:29)!
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That only leaves us to suppose that it was the Christian Clergy to which Paul referred to as being these higher powers. But are we to understand that the clergy used a sword to keep the flock in line (verse 4)? Are we to be afraid and in terror of the preachers and pastors of the Church? Surely not. The reader probably has some idea now why this section of scripture has become so controversial. There appears to be many perplexities but few solid solutions.
To solve this enigma, let's begin by considering the sovereignty of GOD. On thirty some occasions in ROMANS Paul referred to HIS sovereignty, so we can be confident that it must have played a crucial role in his arguments. A few of the more prominent passages are referred to here.
- Paul stated that if GOD willed, he would come and visit them (1:10).
- That in the day of wrath, GOD will repay every man according to his deeds (2:5-11).
- And that GOD was able to judge the secrets of men (2:16).
- That Yeshua was appointed by GOD as a sacrifice (3:25).
- He reminded them that GOD had made Abraham to be the father of many nations and that HE could also bring the dead to life (4:17).
- With GOD on their side, who could be against them? Thus nothing, not death or life, not angels or principalities, not powers nor things to come, not height or depth, nor any other creature could be able to separate them from the love of GOD (8:31-39).
- Paul reminded them of Scripture's assurance that GOD was able to have both mercy on whom HE chooses and compassion on whom HE chooses (9:15).
- That GOD raised up Pharaoh to the throne for the very reason of showing HIS own power (9:17).
- Paul reminded them that even though Elijah had feared that he stood alone against his enemies, that GOD assured him that HE had reserved to himself seven thousand faithful men (11:4).
- In the very context of our chapter, Paul reminded them that vengeance belongs to GOD alone (12:19).
- Then he proclaimed that each individual must someday give an account of his life to GOD (14:11-12).
Thus, when Paul wrote that there were no powers but of GOD, and further that the powers that be were ordained of GOD, it was all in the broader context of an all powerful, all knowing Creator who was well able to manage HIS creation. GOD leaves nothing to chance. From our perspective we may think or worry that the world is spinning out of control, but it probably isn't. Rather, HE who knows the end of a matter even before it begins (ISAIAH 46:10), is silently working behind the scenes for the believer's own good (ROMANS 8:28).
In further considering who these higher powers were, we should note that Paul had just reminded his readers that Pharaoh himself, he who had enslaved their entire nation and killed unknown numbers of their ancestors, was set up and sustained in power by GOD (9:17). And even more so, Yeshua had told His own executioner that he, Pilate, could have no power (exousia) over Him if it had not been given him from above (JOHN 19:11). Are not these some of the higher powers to which Paul referred to in his letter to the believers at Rome?
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In the first recorded public sermon of the Christian Church, Peter stated that Yeshua, "being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain" (ACTS 2:23). Evidently, Yeshua's crucifixion and death was only accomplished because GOD had determined it and brought it to pass. And again, after being further threatened a short time later, they reiterated this same message, saying,
- ACTS 4:27-28 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
These higher powers were all unknowingly accomplishing GOD's purposes. Paul himself later declared the same in the synagogue at Antioch.
- ACTS 13:27-29 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
When they had accomplished all that was written of Him! These evil rulers were indeed doing GOD's bidding. And who would have thought it? Who recognized that the wicked deeds of these higher powers was actually what GOD had planned all along? Evidently few, if any.
These were the higher powers who were ordained to that very position by GOD himself. Pharaoh, Pilate, Herod and even Nero. All were instruments of GOD'S will, and as such were HIS ministers; indeed they were HIS servants for the word minister, translated here from the Greek word diakonos, is elsewhere translated servants (MATTHEW 22:13 JOHN 2:5). They weren't knowingly fulfilling HIS purposes, but ignorantly accomplishing HIS will, "for there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God" (ROMANS 13:1).
The Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament) are replete with examples and instances of GOD's absolute sovereignty in over-ruling in the affairs of man. Perhaps one of the most ancient books of the Bible is JOB, which records this truth most succinctly.
- JOB 12:23 He [GOD] increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: He enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.
Thus, GOD is behind, indeed HE is the instrument of the ebb and flow, the rise and fall of the great nations of the world. Then the book of PROVERBS explains to us distinctly that the king's heart is as easily directed as are the irrigation conduits in a backyard garden.
- PROVERBS 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever he will.
Rulers may imagine that they are masters of their own destinies, but according to Scripture they are not. They are out maneuvered and overruled at every turn.
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- DANIEL 2:20-21 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: and he changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
GOD sets up and removes kings at HIS pleasure. HE is in complete and utter control of HIS creation. None can triumph over HIM. None can catch HIM off guard, for HE has long ago determined each move on the game-board of life. As was asked in LAMENTATIONS 3:37 concerning the utter and complete destruction of the Jerusalem, "Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?"
Then the psalmist observes, "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another" (PSALM 75:6-7).
This is how and why Paul could write that there was no power but of GOD. The Creator allows them to come and go only so as to accomplish HIS own purposes. Even the great rulers of Israel's past, such as Nebuchadnezzar (who destroyed their city and temple and then carried them off into slavery), as well as Cyrus (who delivered them from that same bondage), were all preordained by GOD.
- JEREMIAH 27:6 And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant . . . .
- ISAIAH 45:1-5 Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, Whose right hand I have holden, To subdue nations before him . . . . I am the Lord, and there is none else, There is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
It's curious that the text adds that Cyrus did not know GOD, which is an exact repeat of what was stated in the previous passage. Though Cyrus was a pagan, still he unknowingly accomplished GOD's will.
As such, these civil powers were not only or always raised up by GOD to do what we might think of as evil and depraved, but also to do good, to save the believers from the wicked devices of their enemies. They were not always working against the disciples, but on occasion helped them and furthered their cause. Thus, throughout the Book of ACTS we are given a number of examples when the believers were indeed rescued by various earthly rulers.
- ACTS 18:12-16 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
- And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: but if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. And he drave them from the judgment seat.
Then when Paul was violently attacked and nearly killed while worshipping in the temple at Jerusalem, it was the Roman Centurion who rushed in with his soldiers and saved him from the mob (ACTS 21:31-32). Later, when more than forty zealots pledged themselves to kill Paul, the Roman captain Claudius Lysias, on learning of the plot, sent Paul off by night to Caesarea with a large detachment to protect him (ACTS 23:12-25). And then on yet another occasion while he was being transported for his trial before Nero, another Roman centurion saved Paul from being killed by his guard (ACTS 27:42-43).
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No doubt this is why the apostles on several occasions encouraged their readers "to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates" (TITUS 3:1); and to be subject to "every ordinance of man . . . . whether it be to the king . . . . or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him" (1 PETER 2:13-14). They were often benefited by these civil powers.
- 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
The believers could also take advantage of what laws favored them. After Paul and Silas were unlawfully and unjustly beaten and imprisoned at Philippi, the magistrates then sent a message to have them released. Howbeit, Paul said, No! Let them come themselves for they have beaten and imprisoned us as uncondemned, which it was strictly forbidden by Roman law for them to do (ACTS 16:35-39).
On a separate occasion, as Paul was being prepared for another beating he asked, Hold on there, is this lawful? (ACTS 22:25). Then again when Paul felt that he might be turned over to his assassins, appealed to have his case heard by Caesar (ACTS 25:11), which it was his legal right to do. Clearly then, Paul was not intending this letter to the Romans to mean that they were to be passive doormats. Rather, they were to stand upon their rights. If the civil law gave them certain protections, then they were encouraged to demand that protection.
But if that was not possible, and there were no civil laws or higher powers to protect them, even then they were not to organize a rebellion or revolt, but rather they were instructed to flee from the reach of that hostile power. They were not to busy themselves trying to usurp the authority of the king or governor, but simply avoid them. And this is what we see Yeshua doing time and again (JOHN 7:1; 8:59; 10:39; 11:53-54; 12:36). And this is what we see His apostles doing; for Peter see ACTS 12:17, for Paul see ACTS 9:23-25, for the believers in Jerusalem see ACTS 8:1. Indeed, immediately after the Magi had offered their gifts, Joseph was commanded by GOD to take his family and flee to Egypt for the child's safety (MATTHEW 2:13).
Thus they had several options. First, they were to avoid as much as possible all conflicts with the civil powers. If they found themselves targets of some particular molestation, then they were to take flight from their persecutors. But if GOD made no way for their escape, then they were to submit.
Well then, if GOD pre-ordained these higher powers to accomplish HIS will, then to stand against them would be to stand against GOD's will. That is the clear message Paul gave them in this epistle, "Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of GOD" (ROMANS 13:2). It was not a question of whether or not they believed the higher powers were working out GOD's purposes, but rather they were to submit themselves to them regardless.
For us today in a democratic or constitutional republic, where the powers are suppose to rule by the consent of the people, this is a hard and disconcerting message to understand and accept. But we should keep in mind that Paul wasn't writing to us. He was writing to those of his own day and age which was fast approaching its end. Yeshua's return was eminent, expected and proclaimed by all the writers of the Christian Scriptures to be near, at the very door. As such, they were to act and react in ways which might not be appropriate for us these many centuries later (see the Study, Whatever Happened to Timothy?).
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In this same thirteenth chapter Paul reminded them that now was their salvation (the return of Christ and their gathering together into heaven) nearer than when they first became believers; and further that "the day [of His return] is at hand" (ROMANS 13:11-12). They were living under the gun, so to speak. There was no time to be demonstrating against and attempting to overthrow earthly powers and civil governments. Instead, they were being instructed to learn to be righteous (ROMANS 14) and prepare themselves for that coming age, for that heavenly country, whose builder and maker was GOD (HEBREWS 11:10, 16).
At the close of this epistle Paul again made mention of the nearness of this great change of the ages when he declared that shortly (tachos) Satan was to be crushed under their feet (ROMANS 16:20), which had no doubt been predicted long before in the Garden of Eden (GENESIS 3:15). This Greek word tachos, is rendered quickly in ACTS 12:7 & 22:18 where it can only mean right away. Thus, Satan's destruction and the end of that age was quickly approaching.
We should note that this whole idea of monarchial or dictatorial rule was not the original form of society which man was intended to live under. Consider a comment in the second chapter of Thomas Paine's Common Sense, which rightly put forth for the American colonist the just cause of their war of independence from England.
- But there is another and greater distinction for which no truly natural or religious reason can be assigned, and that is the distinction of men into kings and subjects. Male and female are the distinctions of nature, good and bad, the distinctions of heaven; but how a race of men came into the world so exalted above the rest, and distinguished like some new species, is worth enquiring into, and whether they are the means of happiness or of misery to mankind.
Indeed. And Mr. Paine goes on in his enquiry to demonstrate that originally men were equals. None were ordained as rulers or taskmasters above the others. Scripture tells us that the pagans and heathens were the first to appoint kings who lorded over them. Then, in imitation to that sin, the believers themselves sought a king to similarly rule over them. It was evidently first attempted when they pleaded with Gideon, "Rule thou over us, both thou and thy son, and thy son's son also" (JUDGES 8:22). Of course Gideon denied their request and went on to rebuke them, commanding, "the LORD shall rule over you" (verse 23).
But around a century later they were at it again, this time demanding that Samuel give them a king "to judge us like all the nations" (1 SAMUEL 8:5). The LORD then instructed the prophet to explain and warn the people of all of the evils which would come upon them if they were indeed ruled by a king, other than GOD. But they insisted so they got their king.
From that early age thousands of years ago, up through the time of Luther's Reformation, men and women were ruthlessly oppressed by kings and dictators and popes. But about this same time a new world was discovered where the believer could finally flee from the tyranny of that perverted form of government and create a new society where men might be free and equal. Thus they escaped from the iron grip of European kingship and Roman Catholic Popery and sought to live in the New World within a society more as Scripture dictated.
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So when the king of England sought to reach across the vast ocean to again enslave them, they declared their independence and fought for their rights as free and Christian men, doing their best to establish a nation where all men might be protected from the lordship of greedy and corrupt rulers. Indeed, a nation where the rulers ruled by the consent of the people, and not by some imagined right inherited from their fathers.
As such, the American war of independence was not an unscriptural act where they were refusing to submit to the higher powers of England, but rather a struggle to get back to the original design of GOD for a righteous society. Their age not only allowed it but demanded it.
On the other hand, the believers of the first century lived under an entirely different dispensation. They had been commanded to preach the words of redemption as far and wide as they could because the day of GOD's wrath and judgement was soon to descend upon their wicked nation. As such, they should not get bogged down by fights and struggles with the civil authorities. Because their age was drawing to a close when many would be called to give an account at the throne of GOD, they were to make better use of their time and energies than trying to right all of the wrongs of that temporal society.
Howbeit, we today live in an entirely different age, with different forms of government. We are not ruled by despots, or dictators who aren't answerable to their subjects. We have rights and responsibilities which those in Paul's age little dreamed of.
Paul went on to write in ROMANS that those who resist the higher powers will receive to themselves damnation, but the Greek word krima, rendered damnation in the KJV, really just means judgment (ROMANS 2:2-3; 11:33). Sometimes a judgment can result in one being condemned and damned, but not always. As in Paul's letter to the Corinthians, it basically means to simply take one to court.
- 1 CORINTHIANS 6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law [krima] one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
In other words, the believers in Corinth were suing one another for redress, rather than just accepting their loss and moving on. Again, that age was quickly drawing to its close and there was no time for frivolous quarrels among themselves. Rather, they should commit all their energies to becoming righteous and thus being prepared for the kingdom of GOD (verses 9-10).
As such, if the Roman believers resisted the authority, then they were probably going to have an unfavorable judgment brought against them. Paul also warned them that these higher powers had a sword, which they wielded without restraint.
- ROMANS 13:3-4 . . . . 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.
Thus, we should not think of these ministers as clergy, or even angels. These higher powers to which Paul referred were able to strike terror in their subjects because they wielded a sword. The Greek word machaira, translated sword here, is used twenty nine times in the Christian scriptures, and only once, when referring to the sword of the spirit (EPHESIANS 6:17), does it have any other meaning than of an instrument intended to kill or maim. Paul used it previously in this epistle with exactly that meaning.
- ROMANS 8:35-36 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Normally the authority was going to wield his sword against those who were causing some threat or disturbance. If the believer kept his head down and obeyed the laws of the land, then he would probably have no trouble. But if he decided to try to raise a ruckus, if he whipped up a rebellion in the Land, then he could expect the boom to be lowered upon him.
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Incidentally, this may have been one of the leading causes which resulted in Nero finding the Christians of Rome as an easy target on which to lay the blame for the fire which devastated much of the city in 64 A.D. Perhaps Paul sensed that some of these believers had a zealous and radical nature and were thus seeking to stir up a rebellion against Caesar. He therefore warned them to tap it down or they might find themselves targets of a public outcry.
All of this ties in perfectly with what Paul had written in the previous chapter, "Be kindly affectioned one to another" (10); "Recompense to no man evil for evil" (17); "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men" (18); "avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath" (19); and "be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good" (21).
Then again in the thirteenth chapter he added further like exhortations. "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour" (10); "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying" (13). Evidently we are to understand that some of these believers were indeed engaged in these unrighteous acts.
Thus, Paul's message to his readers was for them to continually preach the word; to learn to become themselves righteous, and not become entangled with the affairs of this present life (2 TIMOTHY 2:4). This was the perfect message for the times in which they lived. They were to become good responsible subjects and in so doing not bring harsh scrutiny or judgment upon themselves by the higher powers.
Some of Paul's message we today can take and apply to ourselves and our own lives, but not necessarily all of it. We are not now anticipating Christ's sudden return when He will wreak havoc and desolation upon the people of the Land. We are not expecting a total and complete destruction and collapse of this present society.
But even so, even though we are not now living in that former dispensation, that age when time for them was fast slipping away, even so we today are still expected by GOD to love our neighbor as ourself (13:10). We are still to be "kindly affectioned one toward another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another" (12:10).
Paul went on in ROMANS 13 to say, "for this cause pay ye tribute also" (13:6). This word tribute, phoros in the Greek, is the same exact word used when Yeshua's enemies asked Him about giving tribute unto Caesar. He commanded them to render "unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto GOD the things which be GOD's" (LUKE 20:22-25). This phoros was some sort of tribute or tax due unto the government, which Yeshua justified here. The word never has any reference to almsgiving or tithing in the Church.
Then in the next verse Paul further established this charge by writing, "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to who tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour" (ROMANS 13:7). This same word for custom (telos) was used by Matthew when Yeshua asked Peter, "of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?" (MATTHEW 17:25).
Thus, the most natural understanding of Paul's words was that he was speaking of rendering to the governmental authorities the taxes and other dues which were owed. To step outside his plain words and think that he was intending to be referring to tithes or alms for the Church, as some suppose, is far removed from his clear intent.
So in light of all this, what did Peter and the others mean when they declared that they were to obey GOD and not man (ACTS 4:19; 5:29)? Surely we are not to suppose that the apostles were advocating anarchy? As always, we must understand their words in the context of when they were spoken.
They had been locked-up by the religious leaders for preaching about the resurrection from the dead (ACTS 4:2). These same religious leaders then demanded and threatened them to speak no further about Yeshua (verse 18). When GOD had commanded one thing and some man, or men, commanded something entirely contrary, it was then declared that they should obey GOD and not man.
It was the same exact thing in the next occurrence of Peter's rebuff to his captors. GOD had told them to "Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life" (ACTS 5:20), but again the religious leaders threatened them not to speak in Yeshua's name (verse 28). Their attitude and reply was the same as before; we ought to obey GOD and not those who order us contrary to what HE has plainly commanded.
As such, Scripture doesn't teach that we should never obey man's laws, or the civil authorities' directions. Only when they clearly and explicitly contradict GOD's instructions does Peter's objection apply.
One final issue we should be sure to consider before closing this Study. How does the sovereignty of GOD harmonize with our free will? If GOD has complete and utter control, how can any of us be held accountable for our decisions? And how can we be rewarded for our faithfulness, if all is preordained by GOD anyway? These are good and honest questions which must be addressed.
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We should remember and be cognizant of the great purpose for our lives. We are given these few short years so as to learn how to be righteous, how to be holy and how to be godly. But it is all for the next life. We are not here in this present life so as to just develop talents, or to acquire and accumulate as many physical possessions as we can carry; nor have we been given life to simply fulfill the desires of our earthly bodies. We are here so as to be prepared for that next life where we will need to have the abilities learned and acquired in this present life, the Christian virtues and the fruit of the spirit.
As such, GOD is devising and arranging and allocating all sorts of challenges and opportunities so as to try us and train us. In each event we are being prepared for the next event; each experience prepares us for the next one. And in HIS perfect foreknowledge GOD knows exactly how each of us will perform.
HE knows how we will respond to the spark of truth which we might hear. Will we consider and ponder some inspired question posed to our consciousness, or will we shrug it off and pursue less worthy objects? Will we be aroused and interested to look deeper or hear more, or will we go about our daily routines without giving it a second thought? HE also knows if we will shrink from the challenges set before us or if we will remain faithful and rise above the obstacles in our path.
When we are therefore resurrected into HIS heavenly kingdom, we will no doubt reflect upon HIS grace and mercy in calling and sustaining us in our earthly journey. We will then recognize that we often made it through only because of a seemingly chance encounter here and there, which at the time appeared purely accidental, but was really nothing of the sort. They were all prearranged by an all powerful and all knowing Creator.
Perhaps we will then wonder why others did not prove themselves successful in the chase for the truth, and we will learn that it was all because of the choices which they made, or would have made. And that is perhaps the key to understanding why such grace and mercy were given to some, but not to others. Some didn't have the choices and opportunities which we had because GOD knew the decisions they would make. HE knew how they would react to HIS gifts. HE knew whether or not they would respond to HIS calling. HE knew what use they would make of HIS grace.
This is precisely what Paul wrote earlier in this same epistle, that GOD searches the hearts (8:26). HE always looks on the heart of HIS creatures to determine what intercession to make on their behalf. And then Paul added,
- ROMANS 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
The incidents of life conspire together for good towards those who love GOD. But what exactly does it mean to love GOD? Our answer is found in Yeshua's own words. Only on one single occasion is it recorded in Scripture that Yeshua ever stated that He loved GOD, and that was in the context of His obedience.
- JOHN 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. . . .
Thus it is with us. Only by our obedience to GOD's commands can we demonstrate our love for HIM. If we are willingly disobedient, or if we neglect and ignore HIS word, how can we truly say or even think that we love HIM? Paul then continued in verses 29-31.
- For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
This is exactly the truth of the matter, GOD foreknew; and because HE knew what choices each individual would make, HE then predestinated them for that next experience. And the purpose of it all was that the believer might be conformed, or shaped into an image of GOD's Son, who was Himself an image of GOD. Indeed, if GOD is for our spiritual growth and resurrection, who can prevent or hinder it?
We are all clay in the Master's hands, being shaped and formed on HIS potter's wheel of life into vessels fit for HIS use (ROMANS 9:21 & 2 TIMOTHY 2:21); useful not only here but more importantly in the next life. But the clay must be obedient. If it is lumpy or too wet it may very well be cast aside and a new lump acquired.
Thus, oftentimes GOD used these higher powers to accomplish HIS will, and no doubt still does. On some occasions they were considered HIS ministers, even when it was a wicked act as in Yeshua's murder. But then at other times they were also called HIS ministers when it obviously benefited the believer. The plain lesson for us today is that GOD rules. HE still exercises control over HIS creation. From our human perspective it is not always easy to tell and see GOD's hand behind it, but Paul assured his readers that it often was.
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