(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.
Even more interesting is when you add perspective to the times this was written in and the action of governments and rulers at that point in history.
I had held the opinion that these passages did not hold true if you were living under a tyrannical government, but a good friend pointed out that when this was written governments/rulers were brutal, tyrannical, all powerful, absolute and polytheistic. Yet, here is Paul telling us that we are to submit our will and our riches to government because God has put them in power.
***REALLY looking forward to the day when I can ask God what the heck this was all about!?!?
Jesus did not set us free from countries.
Roman 13: 1-6
(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.
Even more interesting is when you add perspective to the times this was written in and the action of governments and rulers at that point in history.
I had held the opinion that these passages did not hold true if you were living under a tyrannical government, but a good friend pointed out that when this was written governments/rulers were brutal, tyrannical, all powerful, absolute and polytheistic. Yet, here is Paul telling us that we are to submit our will and our riches to government because God has put them in power.
***REALLY looking forward to the day when I can ask God what the heck this was all about!?!?