Difference between revisions of "Rom 13:1-5"

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The New Testament > The Epistle to the Romans > Chapter 13

Questions

• Paul seems to be saying that governments have been ordained of God and exist to promote good. How does this apply in the case of a tyrannical government?

Lexical notes

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Exegesis

Verse 1

According to Wesley's notes, Paul in this scripture issues a public apology for the Christian religion, who at the time were associated with the Jews, who were often rebellious to authority. Paul draws a clear distinction between Jewish and Christian attitudes towards civil authority. Christ disappointed the Jews by not liberating them from the civil law of the Romans. Instead, he taught that Jews should uphold the civil law, and render unto Ceasar the things which are Ceasar's.

Paul also suggests that civil authorities are ordained of God, and that they are ministers of God for good. Given that many of these powers that be were in fact evil dictators, Paul's statement seems greatly oversimplified. It could simply be that Paul didn't want the Christians to make any trouble. He also wanted it in writing that he strongly encouraged his Saints to obey the civil authorities. Perhaps by being so dogmatic in his support of civil law, he could stave off some of the impending civil persecution that would haunt the early Christian Church.

The Christian mission was not to overthrow the government, as corrupt as it was. God would leave that to the barbarians. That was the message for the Christians in that time. However, applying the same advice to all situations is obviously problematic.

It is a true principle however that God ordains men, even imperfect or evil men to their positions of power. This fact is demonstrated in the selection of the early Jewish kings. The Prophet Samuel was commanded of God to select Saul to reign over the people as their first king. However, although he was ordained by a prophet of the Lord, Saul turned to wickedness. In the same way that God allows children to be born into the families of the wicked and abusive, God also allows people to be ruled by wicked dictators. Why would God would allow such things as the Holocaust to happen? These are some of the most difficult questions to answer, and the reach to core of the purpose of life on earth, and the nature of human suffering. As much as we would like to blame Satan for all these terrible things, Paul reminds us in this scripture, and many others, that God is ultimately in charge, allowing, and even ordaining and orchestrating the collision of events that result in both tragedy and triumph. It is within this context that each of us decides whether or not to accept Christ, and that ultimately is the only thing of importance. This is the overarching message of Paul.

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