{"id":690,"date":"2020-12-10T11:01:02","date_gmt":"2020-12-10T11:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/?p=690"},"modified":"2024-01-17T13:16:44","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T13:16:44","slug":"romans-131-7-to-what-extent-if-any-must-a-21st-century-christ-follower-be-subject-to-a-governmental-authority-article-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/?p=690","title":{"rendered":"Romans 13:1-7: To What Extent, if any, Must a 21st Century Christ-Follower be Subject to a Governmental Authority – ARTICLE 7"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DISCLAIMER: This series of articles reflects the results of my exegetical exercise to answer the following questions: (1) what did Paul intend to convey to his original audience by what he wrote in Romans 13:1-7? And (2) in light of Paul\u2019s authorial intent, how ought Romans 13:1-7 apply to a 21st<\/sup> Century Christ-follower?  In no way, shape or form is this series intended to influence in any way, or cause or be a catalyst for any person to disobey a governmental authority whether it be local, state or federal.   This series is merely the exercise of my right to free speech and to practice my religion under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF TAKEAWAY(S)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Article 7 of this series reports the results of my observation of what Paul wrote in the fifth Greek sentence, i.e., Romans 13:4b, which reads (ESV):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4b<\/sup> But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God\u2019s wrath on the wrongdoer.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This sentence set forth a number of attributes that defined the relationship between the governing authorities and \u201cevery person\u201d and an attribute that defined the relationship between God and the government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The takeaway(s) from my observation of this sentence are set forth below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, the government is the \u201cservant of God\u201d and, therefore,  it was impliedly understood that Scripture, and not mankind\u2019s standard, was the standard by which to define what was good and what was bad.   As a result, Paul intended to say that the nature of governing would need to be consistent with God\u2019s will. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, Paul intended to convey to his audience that the government had the license to punish those who did wrong (i.e., actions contrary to the teaching of Scripture).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OBSERVATION OF THE FIFTH GREEK SENTENCE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The God-Government Attribute<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This text includes the attribute that, \u201cFor he is the servant of God,\u201d   The ESV translates the Greek noun diakonos <\/em>as \u201cthe servant.\u201d  It has the same meaning as diakonos<\/em> discussed in Article 5.  The impact of Paul\u2019s characterization of the government as \u201cthe servant of God\u201d was that the nature of the governing would need to be consistent with God\u2019s will since the government was God\u2019s agent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Government-Citizen Attributes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One attribute that helped define the relationship between the government and the citizen was that the \u201cgoverning authorities\u201d were to be \u201can avenger\u201d who carried out \u201cGod\u2019s wrath\u201d on the \u201cwrongdoer.\u201d  In other words, the \u201cgoverning authorities\u201d were to be a punisher or an enforcer of laws (Greek adjective ekdikos<\/em> translated by the ESV as \u201can avenger\u201d) who carried out God\u2019s wrath (org\u0113<\/em>) or anger \u201con \u2026 wrongdoer.\u201d  The ESV translates the adjective kakos<\/em> and verb prass\u014d<\/em> as \u201con \u2026 wrongdoer\u201d and it has the sense of someone who has been practicing evil or moral wrongness.   By this attribute, Paul intended to convey to his audience that the \u201cgoverning authorities\u201d had the license to punish conduct that was contrary to the teachings of Scripture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The substance of what Paul wrote in this fifth Greek sentence when coupled with the fourth Greek sentence reveals that Paul intended to teach his audience that in order for a citizen to be subject to or obey the government, the government must govern in such a fashion so as to reward or praise good conduct and be a source of fear or punish bad or wrong conduct.   One commentator[i]<\/a> makes the connection between 1 Peter 2:13-17[ii]<\/a> and what Paul wrote here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Paul, however, goes beyond mere recognition of the social order as derived from God\u2019s authority. Like 1 Peter, he expresses a positive evaluation of the way in which the government actually functions. In short, the state rewards the good and punishes the wicked. If one does not want to fear the state, all one need do is be good (13:3). Now any number of people through the ages would have good reason to challenge Paul\u2019s assessment. Many governments, however noble in structure, have been tyrannical and unjust in practice; far from rewarding the good and punishing the wicked, they have made a habit of doing the opposite. Paul\u2019s statements, in fact, are possible (and tolerable) only in a situation in which the rule of law is in fact basically benevolent. And for all its excesses, the Roman state could be so regarded, particularly at the time Paul was writing. Certainly, Paul could not have made such statements if Christians had been persecuted by the state simply for being Christians. When the state\u2014as already in the case of the Maccabean martyrs\u2014demands ultimate allegiance to itself, then Paul\u2019s statements are simply wrong and must be identified as such.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

TAKEAWAY(S) FROM THE FIFTH GREEK SENTENCE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The takeaways from my observation of the fifth Greek sentence are listed below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, the government is the \u201cservant of God\u201d and, therefore,  it was impliedly understood that Scripture, and not mankind\u2019s standard, was the standard by which to define what was good and what was bad.   As a result, Paul intended to say that the nature of governing would need to be consistent with God\u2019s will. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, Paul intended to convey to his audience that the government had the license to punish those who did wrong (i.e., actions contrary to the teaching of Scripture).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE NEXT ARTICLE \u2013 ARTICLE 8<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next article presents the results of my observation of the sixth Greek sentence (i.e., Romans 13:5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are reading this post and are not a Christian, unless God intervenes, your eternal destination is hell.  But, your destiny can change.  Today can be the day of your salvation.  Please see my blog (https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/2020\/04\/20\/for-god-so-loves-you-2\/<\/a>) for a description of how you can be saved and a more concise description at my (https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/2020\/10\/20\/there-is-hope-even-when-there-seems-to-be-no-hope-2\/<\/a> ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTICE OF PERMISSIONS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am mindful of and respect the rights other authors and\/or publishers possess in their works.  I thus try my best to not violate any copyright rights other authors and\/or publishers possess in their works.  The below copyright permission statement is the result of my best efforts to understand that limited usage or \u201cfair use\u201d is available and\/or to secure direct permission for specific works.  The quotations from commentaries are considered to be \u201cfair use.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture quotations marked \u201cESV\u201d are from the ESV\u00ae Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture marked \u201cNASB95\u201d are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE\u00ae, Copyright \u00a9 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture marked \u201cNCV\u201d is taken from the New Century Version. Copyright \u00a9 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Scriptures marked \u201cNET\u201d are quoted are from the NET Bible\u00ae  http:\/\/netbible.com copyright \u00a91996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright \u00a9 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture marked \u201cGW\u201d is taken from the God\u2019s Word Bible that is a copyrighted work of God’s Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[i]<\/a> Johnson, L. T. (2001). Reading Romans: a literary and theological commentary<\/em><\/a> (pp. 197\u2013203). Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys Publishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[ii]<\/a> The relevant text from 1 Peter, i.e., 1 Peter 2:13\u201317 (ESV), reads – 13<\/sup> Be subject for the Lord\u2019s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14<\/sup> or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15<\/sup> For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16<\/sup> Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17<\/sup> Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

DISCLAIMER: This series of articles reflects the results of my exegetical exercise to answer the following questions: (1) what did Paul intend to convey to his original audience by what he wrote in Romans 13:1-7? And (2) in light of Paul\u2019s authorial intent, how ought Romans 13:1-7 apply to a 21st Century Christ-follower?  In no […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[323],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-690","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-government"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/690","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=690"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/690\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2144,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/690\/revisions\/2144"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=690"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=690"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=690"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}