By Pastor Rich Paradis
Romans 13:1-7
We’ve
done it now! We regularly take on one of the most sensitive areas of life, that
is, religion. And now, we are going to discuss the other “forbidden” subject,
politics! We’re not really going to discuss politics, but we are going to
consider our reaction towards those that rule over us. In this age of “knowing”
our leaders perhaps as well as any other time in history, we are regularly
given the opportunity to not only praise but also critique our leaders. Is this
alright? Are we to follow blindly? Are we to rebel aggressively? What is to be
our conduct towards those that rule over us? Romans 13 is perhaps the most
notable passage in the New Testament on the subject. Let’s see what it says…
Unique Words In
The Passage
1.
Subjection
– To subject oneself, to obey
2.
Governing
– The prominent men, authorities, kings
3.
Authorities
– A ruler or human magistrate
4.
Resist
– To range battle against, resist
5.
Condemnation
– Judgment, penalty, sentencing
6.
Avenger
– Exacting penalty from one, punisher
7.
Devoting
– To be steadfastly attentive to, to give unremitting care to a thing
8.
Render
– To pay off or discharge what is due
I.
Some
Introductory Thoughts
a.
Again,
as we consider this passage, we are looking at something that would seem to
“open and shut”. When you read the passage, the instruction looks to be very
clear and not at all difficult to understand.
b.
The
problem with this passage is not understanding, it is application. There are at
least a couple of reasons why this passage is difficult to apply:
i.
We
are looking at a passage that would seem to have little consideration of the
leader that is not “doing it God’s way”.
1.
The
time of writing for the book of Romans would give us some insight into the
times and the types of leaders that were ruling around that time. While there
was not widespread and direct persecution toward Christians at this point,
there soon would be. Caligula, Claudius, and Nero are among the emperors that
would inflict awful things on Christians and are contemporary to this time
period. At the very least, these leaders were pagans with no agenda to do the
things of God as they ruled over those under them.
ii.
We
don’t want to. Our sinful character has a difficult time following anyone. But
the Bible gives many examples of areas where submission is a part of the
Christian lifestyle:
1.
Jesus’
own reaction to his earthly parents. (Luke 2:51)
2.
The
relationship of the Son to the Father in eschatological order. (1 Corinthians
15:28)
3.
The
relationship of a Christian wife to her husband. (Ephesians 5:25)
4.
The
relationship of church members to church leaders. (Hebrews 13:17)
5.
The
relationship of younger men to older men. (1 Peter 5:5)
6.
The
relationship of believers to one another. (Ephesians 5:21)
7.
The
relationship of all of us to God. (Hebrews 12:9 and James 4:7)
II.
The
Command Itself Romans 13:1
a.
The
passage begins in Verse 1 with a
very direct statement: “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing
authorities”. Pretty clear, huh? The words and their definitions don’t offer
much wiggle room either.
i.
Subjection:
To subject oneself, to obey
ii.
Governing:
The prominent men, authorities, kings
iii.
Authorities:
A ruler or human magistrate
b.
Paul
goes on to offer us a “why” to this command. He says that the very institution
of authority and leadership is from God. He also says that those authorities
and leaders that exist are established (arranged, assigned and appointed) by
God.
III.
Motivation
#1 For Subjection To Governing Authorities: Wrath and Condemnation Romans
13:2-4
a.
In
light of the command and reference to God Himself, let’s take a look at Verse 2. If in fact all leadership and
leaders are established by God Himself, then to resist (To range battle
against, resist) leadership is to oppose the ordinance (disposition and
arrangement) of God. As in other areas of disobedience and rebellion,
condemnation (Judgment, penalty, sentencing) from God will be the result.
Whether this condemnation comes via the governing body or person themselves or
in the form of directly from God, it has ultimately come from the hand of God
Himself.
b.
This
is a good time to connect this entire passage to Romans 12:1. In light of the
mercies of God demonstrated so beautifully in Romans 1-11, we are to offer our
bodies and our minds as a “living sacrifice” to Him, a demonstration of our
worship towards Him. To oppose the ordinance of God is a very serious matter
that should be carefully considered before going forward.
c.
As
Verses 3-4 unfold, Paul is not stating
that all leaders match up to this description. He is saying that this is a
picture of what God had in mind as He established ruling authorities.
d.
This
ideal has in mind the governing authorities not being someone for the good
folks to fear, only those that have evil and overthrow in mind. In fact, they
can and should be a source of praise for those that desire right living. Why?
Because it was set up to be a minister of God to you for good. If you do evil,
than you should expect governing authorities to wield a sword of power as an
avenger for God who will bring wrath on the offender.
IV.
Motivation
#2 For Subjection To Governing Authorities: Conscience Sake Romans
13:5-7
a.
With
the first of the motivations for subjection noted, that is, self-preservation,
let’s continue to the second motivation. The first is pretty easy to
understand, but the second has some nuance that must be considered before
understanding can be achieved. That motivation is conscience sake and is
brought to our attention in Verse 5.
b.
One
might think that this is merely doing it because of knowledge of what is right
and the “conscience” that is offended when we do wrong. While there is
something to this, another thought may offer additional insight in light of the
fact that whenever a believer goes to the point of defiance he or she can
hardly be accused of having a tender conscience. That thought is that the
believer, because of his or her relationship to God has insight and knowledge
related to both his or her own position before God and the position of the
state in God. That knowledge or conscience should guide that person to their
attitudes and reactions. 1 Peter 2:19 is another example of this type of
thinking.
c.
As
the passage concludes, Verses 6-7
offer some very helpful insight into these reactions and attitudes. If in fact
these authorities are established by God than to support them is a very
reasonable response. Taxes and customs are a very real way that our witness is
demonstrated here. I think that “render to all what is due them” really helps
us to understand our responsibility to governing authorities. While these
authorities are to be obeyed, they are not God. When the governing authority is
in direct opposition to the clear guidance of God for Christian living, than we
are to subject ourselves to God first. Of course, we have to recognize and
accept the consequence from these authorities. We see examples of this all over
the world as missionaries are constantly thinking through the implications of
this passage.
V.
An
Application For All Of Us
a.
Consider
an extreme example from the book “The Insanity of God” on pages 182-3. What an
incredible example of Romans 13 in action! Instead of looking for a loophole to
this obedience and subjection, be ready to offer this living sacrifice to God!
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