Rom 13:1-6 | PNT | STEP | The Christians and Civil Government SUMMARY OF ROMANS 13: Civil Government an Appointment of God. A Protection to the Law-Abiding. A Terror to Evil Doers. Must Be Supported by Taxes and Customs. Love the Fulfillment of the Divine Law. The Christian to Live a Holy, Spiritual Life. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers . To the established civil government. Why should Paul, in this portion of the epistle to Christian life, give this exhortation to obedience to civil government? Perhaps for several reasons: (1) The Christians at that early period were usually associated by the heathen with the Jews, and the Jews were noted for turbulence. See . (2) The fires that broke forth a few years later, in the Jewish uprising that led to the destruction of Jerusalem, were already smoldering wherever there were those of Jewish blood. Many Christians were Jews by birth. (3) There was danger that Christians, especially under persecution, should be inclined to make disturbance. (4) Some even held that since Christ's kingdom was established human governments had no rightful existence. There is no power but of God . He is the source of all authority, and he has appointed human governments for the welfare of man. The existing government over us is to be regarded as a divine arrangement.

Romans 13:1-6

The Christians and Civil Government SUMMARY OF ROMANS 13: Civil Government an Appointment of God. A Protection to the Law-Abiding. A Terror to Evil Doers. Must Be Supported by Taxes and Customs. Love the Fulfillment of the Divine Law. The Christian to Live a Holy, Spiritual Life.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. To the established civil government. Why should Paul, in this portion of the epistle to Christian life, give this exhortation to obedience to civil government? Perhaps for several reasons: (1) The Christians at that early period were usually associated by the heathen with the Jews, and the Jews were noted for turbulence. See Ac 18:2. (2) The fires that broke forth a few years later, in the Jewish uprising that led to the destruction of Jerusalem, were already smoldering wherever there were those of Jewish blood. Many Christians were Jews by birth. (3) There was danger that Christians, especially under persecution, should be inclined to make disturbance. (4) Some even held that since Christ's kingdom was established human governments had no rightful existence.

There is no power but of God. He is the source of all authority, and he has appointed human governments for the welfare of man. The existing government over us is to be regarded as a divine arrangement. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power. It follows that he who seeks to break down his government by fighting the ordinance of God, and shall be liable to punishment. This implies a loyal submission to the forms of government over us. It does not imply that we shall obey wicked magistrates when they command us to disobey God. See Ac 4:19. For rulers are not a terror to good works. This is the general rule. Of course there have been occasional exceptions, when some human monster has been invested with absolute power, but the principle is true.

Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? It is not the law-abiding, but the lawless, who fear the law. Rulers as a class are a blessing. There was an exception a few years later when Nero developed his fiendish hate of all good. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. The ruler, the guardian of order and the preserver of peace is, as a rule, a blessing.

He beareth not the sword in vain. Not only did the magistrate wear the sword, but one was borne before him in public processions as an emblem of his right to use it in the interests of order and justice. Wherefore . . . not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. There are two reasons for obedience to the civil ruler: (1) If one fails to obey him, he will be a subject of his wrath (judgment) and be punished. (2) It is God's will that we should obey our civil rulers. Hence, conscience should be a motive. For this cause pay ye tribute also. Taxes. The taxes gathered from the Roman provinces were called tribute. As the rulers are

God's ministers, his agents to attend to necessary duties, it is right that they should be supported.