{"id":694,"date":"2020-12-11T12:29:18","date_gmt":"2020-12-11T12:29:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/?p=694"},"modified":"2024-01-17T13:16:20","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T13:16:20","slug":"romans-131-7-to-what-extent-if-any-must-a-21st-century-christ-follower-be-subject-to-a-governmental-authority-article-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/?p=694","title":{"rendered":"Romans 13:1-7: To What Extent, if any, Must a 21st Century Christ-Follower be Subject to a Governmental Authority – ARTICLE 8"},"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 TAKEAWAYS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Article 8 presents the results of my observation of the sixth Greek sentence that comprises Romans 13:5 (ESV), which reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5<\/sup> Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God\u2019s wrath but also for the sake of conscience<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A summary of the takeaways from my observation of Romans 13:15 is set forth below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, Paul conveyed that to avoid God\u2019s wrath, one should be in subjection to a government that rewarded good conduct and punished wrong or bad conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, wrote that because of one\u2019s sense of right and wrong (i.e., conscience), one ought to be in subjection to a government that rewarded good conduct and punished wrong or bad conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The sixth sentence Greek sentence corresponds to Romans 13:5 (ESV)[i]<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5<\/sup> Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God\u2019s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Paul wrote that the \u201cevery person\u201d (Christ-follower) should be \u201cin subjection\u201d to the government for two basic reasons.  The first was to \u201cavoid God\u2019s wrath\u201d and the second was \u201cfor the sake of conscience.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul began this verse with the Greek conjunction dia<\/em> which the ESV translates as \u201cTherefore.\u201d  Dia<\/em> is a, \u201crelatively emphatic markers of result, usually denoting the fact that the inference is self-evident\u2014\u2018therefore, for this reason, for this very reason, so then.\u2019\u201d[ii]<\/a>  Along this line, dia<\/em> is a \u201ccoordinating conjunction that conveys a deduction, conclusion, summary, or inference to the preceding discussion.\u201d[iii]<\/a>  The primary reference of dia<\/em> [\u201ctherefore\u201d] is what Paul wrote in verse 4b, which reads, \u201cFor he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God\u2019s wrath on the wrongdoer.\u201d   In other words, because the government is the servant of God who carried out punishment, the Christ-follower must behave as Paul later instructed (i.e., \u201cavoid God\u2019s wrath and \u201cfor the sake of conscience.\u201d).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ESV translates the Greek noun anank<\/em>\u0113<\/em> as  \u201cone must\u201d and it means, \u201can obligation of a compelling nature\u2014\u2018complete obligation, necessary obligation.\u2019\u201d[iv]<\/a>  The Logos 8 Exegetical Guide give the sense as, \u201c[T]he state of being absolutely required.\u201d  The ESV translates the Greek verb hypotass<\/em>\u014d<\/em> as \u201cbe in subjection\u201d and the verb itself has the same meaning as set forth in Article 2.  The verb is an infinitive so that it functions as a verbal noun to describe the state of the person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul made a strong command to his audience for them to be obedient (or continuously be in a state of obedience) to the Roman government.  One reason was to avoid God\u2019s wrath which carried with it the understanding that to incur God\u2019s wrath was to do something wrong since the government was to reward good conduct and punish bad conduct. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another reason to be in subjection was \u201cfor the sake of conscience.\u201d  The ESV translates the Greek conjunction dia<\/em> as \u201cfor the sake of\u201d and in this usage it is \u201ca marker of a participant constituting the cause or reason for an event or state\u2014\u2018because of, on account of, for this reason.\u201d[v]<\/a>  The ESV translates the Greek noun syneid\u0113sis<\/em> as \u201cconscience\u201d and it means, \u201cthe psychological faculty which can distinguish between right and wrong\u2014\u2018moral sensitivity, conscience.\u2019 \u201c[vi]<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul linked the condition to \u201cbe in subjection\u201d to the government with the moral sensitivity of those in his audience.  This supports the overall thrust that in order for the Christ-follower to be in subjection to the government, the government must govern in a way that is morally right.  To resist or not be in subjection to a morally right government would violate a believer\u2019s conscience (i.e., a sense of right and wrong).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TAKEAWAY(S)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The takeaways from my observation of Romans 13:5 are set forth below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, Paul conveyed that to avoid God\u2019s wrath, one should be in subjection to a government that rewarded good conduct and punished wrong or bad conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, wrote that because of one\u2019s sense of right and wrong (i.e., conscience), one ought to be in subjection to a government that rewarded good conduct and punished wrong or bad conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 In the next article, i.e., Article 8, I examine the seventh and eighth Greek sentences which correspond to Romans 13:6-7.<\/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> Romans 13:5 reads in other English translations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interlinear \u2013 therefore \u2013 [it is] a necessity –  to be in subjection \u2013 not \u2013 only \u2013 because of – * – wrath \u2013 but \u2013 also \u2013 because of – * – conscience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AMP 5 <\/sup><\/strong>Therefore one must be subject [to civil authorities], not only to escape the punishment [that comes with wrongdoing], but also as a matter of principle [knowing what is right before God].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NIV 5<\/sup> Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NLT5<\/sup> So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NCV 5<\/sup> So you must yield to the government, not only because you might be punished, but because you know it is right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[ii]<\/a> Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains<\/em><\/a> (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 782). New York: United Bible Societies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[iii]<\/a> Heiser, M. S., & Setterholm, V. M. (2013; 2013). Glossary of Morpho-Syntactic Database Terminology<\/em><\/a>. Lexham Press.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[iv]<\/a> Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains<\/em><\/a> (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 670). New York: United Bible Societies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[v]<\/a> Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 803). New York: United Bible Societies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[vi]<\/a> Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 323). New York: United Bible Societies. <\/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-694","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\/694","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=694"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/694\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2143,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/694\/revisions\/2143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=694"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=694"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}