Reading and meditation on Chapter 13 of the Letter to the Romans:
“Let every person be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. 2 Therefore, whoever opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will bring judgment against themselves. 3 For those rulers are an object of fear, not to the good deed, but to the bad. Do you want to be free of fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it; 4 for it is God’s minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear, for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword. It is God’s minister, an avenger to express wrath against the one practicing what is bad. 5 There is therefore compelling reason for you to be in subjection, not only on account of that wrath but also on account of your conscience. 6 That is why you are also paying taxes; for they are God’s public servants constantly serving this very purpose. 7 Render to all their dues: to the one who calls for the tax, the tax; to the one who calls for the tribute, the tribute; to the one who calls for fear, such fear; to the one who calls for honor, such honor » (verses 1-7).
Depending on the context, the « superior authorities » refer to the governments of nations. These governmental authorities are a provision of God that fosters social cohesion and prevents chaos. Christians respect the authority of kings, presidents, ministers, and those who uphold justice—such as judges, the police, the military, and other state officials. Christians obey not out of fear, but as a matter of conscience. They pay their taxes and show respect and honor to those who hold this governmental authority. As an example of how one should respect and even honor authority, here is an excerpt from the account of the Apostle Paul’s appearance before the Roman governor Festus and King Agrippa. When Paul spoke of the resurrection of Christ, Festus sharply rebuked him, and this is how Paul replied:
“Now as Paul was saying these things in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice: “You are going out of your mind, Paul! Great learning is driving you out of your mind!” 25 But Paul said: “I am not going out of my mind, Your Excellency Festus, but I am speaking words of truth and of a sound mind. 26 For a fact, the king to whom I am speaking so freely well knows about these things; I am convinced that not one of these things escapes his notice, for none of this has been done in a corner. 27 Do you, King Agrippa, believe the Prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 But Agrippa said to Paul: “In a short time you would persuade me to become a Christian.” 29 At this Paul said: “I wish to God that whether in a short time or in a long time, not only you but also all those who hear me today would become men such as I am, with the exception of these prison bonds”” (Acts 26:24-29).
At times, those in positions of government authority may speak to us harshly; however, we must exercise self-control and remain respectful, even in the face of discourtesy.
During the ministry of Jesus Christ, he never once criticized Roman authority, even when faced with deeply shocking situations:
“At that time some who were present reported to him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 In reply he said to them: “Do you think that those Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they have suffered these things? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise be destroyed. 4 Or those 18 on whom the tower in Siloam fell, killing them—do you think that they had greater guilt than all other men who live in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all be destroyed, as they were”” (Luke 13:1-5).
This bloody incident could have been an opportunity for Jesus Christ to encourage his disciples to rebel against the bloodthirsty authority of the Roman governor Pilate. Jesus Christ voiced no criticism, because he respected the established government authority without inciting his disciples to stage any kind of revolution.
On another occasion, he was asked whether taxes should be paid to the Roman state; here is what is written: “Then the Pharisees went and conspired together in order to trap him in his speech. 16 So they sent their disciples to him, together with party followers of Herod, saying: “Teacher, we know you are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and you do not seek anyone’s favor, for you do not look at the outward appearance of people. 17 Tell us, then, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay head tax to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said: “Why do you put me to the test, hypocrites? 19 Show me the tax coin.” They brought him a de·narʹi·us. 20 He said to them: “Whose image and inscription is this?” 21 They said: “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them: “Pay back, therefore, Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.” 22 When they heard that, they were amazed, and they left him and went away” (Matthew 22:15-22).
“Do not owe anything to anyone except to love one another; for whoever loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law. 9 For the law code, “You must not commit adultery, you must not murder, you must not steal, you must not covet,” and whatever other commandment there is, is summed up in this saying: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does not work evil to one’s neighbor; therefore, love is the law’s fulfillment” (verses 8-10).
Paul reiterates the important idea expressed by Jesus Christ: the law is summed up in the showing of love for one’s neighbor: « All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them. This, in fact, is what the Law and the Prophets mean » (Matthew 7:12).
Chapter 13 then concludes with an exhortation to cease practicing the works of the flesh and instead to imitate the conduct of the Lord Jesus Christ:
“And do this because you know the season, that it is already the hour for you to awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than at the time when we became believers. 12 The night is well along; the day has drawn near. Let us therefore throw off the works belonging to darkness and let us put on the weapons of the light. 13 Let us walk decently as in the daytime, not in wild parties and drunkenness, not in immoral intercourse and brazen conduct, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not be planning ahead for the desires of the flesh” (verses 11-14).
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Table of contents of the http://yomelyah.fr/ website
Reading the Bible daily, this table of contents contains informative Bible articles (Please click on the link above to view it)…
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