Dear Emmanuel,

Let’s look at Romans 13:1-2 in context.

Romans 13:1-7(KJV)

[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.

[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.

[5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

[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.

Now I will make an attempt to expound upon this section of Scripture. But first you may want to read the Commentary at the link below. It is one of many commentaries available on Romans 13.

http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries/PeoplesNewTestament/pnt.cgi?book=ro&chapter=13 - Ro13_01

I will use a simple inductive approach to expound this section of Scripture.

Who is the audience?

Paul wrote this letter specifically to “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints” (Ro 1:7). The term “saints” is not the modern usage but simply means Christians.

What is the context?

If we read this whole section, we see that Paul is referring to civil obedience of Christians. This section of Scripture is not referring to obedience to the Church and its leaders.

What were the cultural or political conditions at this time?

The Jews had been subject to Rome. The discontent of the Jews that was to lead to the destruction of Jerusalem a few years later was already brewing. The Jews resented being ruled by the “heathen Romans.” Many of the Christians in Rome were former Jews and were thus associated with the Jew by the Romans.

Now let look at the text in this light. We cannot separate 13:2 from the rest of the text and understand this section of Scripture properly.

[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.

“Every soul” means each person. It does not mean our individual “souls”. This is a Hebraism used elsewhere in the Bible.

higher powers = the established civil government. Rome specifically.

God is the source of all authority including civil governments. Sometimes God allows evil governments to rise up so that they may be judged.

[2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Resisteth = battle against

Ordinance = disposition

Damnation = judgment unto punishment

So it stands to reason that if these Christians in Rome were to resist or battle against the civil authorities of Rome that they would bring upon themselves judgment and punishment.

[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:

Rulers = Greek “archon” as in magistrates

This is the basic precept of Civil Governments, that they are not a terror to good works. But there have been exceptions, when evil men of great power have established themselves. But the basic precept is true. Some theologians believe that God allows evil rulers to be established so that they can be judged. I am not so sure.

Minister = Greek “diaconos.” One who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister. Not in the ecclesiastical sense.

The sword represents punishment.

Be afraid = fear (literal) It is only the surety of punishment that prevents many evils. It is not a vain threat.

Revenger = avenger, punisher

Wrath = punishment

Keeping this in context we can deduce that this is not referring to leaders in the Church as they do not now nor did they have the authority to extract punishment with the sword. (Nor should they)

[5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

[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.

Tribute = taxes

Custom = duty for goods

Render taxes to whom taxes are due. Custom to whom custom is due. Honor to whom honor is due.

So in summary we can see that Romans 13 is dealing with civil obedience specifically as it applied to the Christians at Rome in the time it was written.

The exposition of this seems to me to be rather obvious. That is how it applies to us in today’s times is readily apparent.

While Roman 13:1-2 does not deal with obedience to the Church and its leaders, there are Scriptures that do address positions of responsibility and service in the Church.

Emmanuel, I humbly challenge you to address those Scriptures that may apply to your discourse about Christians not agreeing with their pastor or priest.

You Posted:

“There are a lot of Christians nowadays who don't even agree with their own pastors or priests, including RC members. They only rely on their own interpretation and may rebuke the senior or priests and think that liberalism is free-will in Christianity and their higher authority is always divine in the sense of listening to the words and imitate Christ-like behavior, this is not wrong, but they choose not to follow any teaching by higher authority. I have some scripture verses which may enlighten this particular kind of christians.”

Let me asks you this. What if the pastor or priest says fornication is OK? Shall we not rebuke him? What if our senior leaders are promoting or condoning homosexuality…. Shall we not rebuke them also and call them back to the Word of God. What if the leaders are turned from God and Christ as in the case of John Spong? Shall we not rebel and expose them?

Our leaders in the Church are called to be servants not rulers.

Your Brother in Christ

Bill Roth

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Welcome

Romans 13

Tribute = taxes