{"id":701,"date":"2020-12-11T12:31:43","date_gmt":"2020-12-11T12:31:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/?p=701"},"modified":"2024-01-17T13:15:56","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T13:15:56","slug":"romans-131-7-to-what-extent-if-any-must-a-christ-follower-be-subject-to-a-governmental-authority-article-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/?p=701","title":{"rendered":"Romans 13:1-7: To What Extent, if any, Must a Christ-Follower be Subject to a Governmental Authority? – ARTICLE 9"},"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 9 presents the results of my observation of the seventh and eighth Greek sentences that comprise Romans 13:6-7 (ESV), which reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6<\/sup> For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7<\/sup> Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A summary of the takeaways is set forth below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, what Paul intended to say to his audience was that because the government devotedly persevered in carrying out its governing function of governing for the \u201cgood\u201d of the citizens, the citizens had the obligation to \u201cpay taxes\u201d (in verse 6), as well as the actions described in verse 7.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, what Paul intended to say was that a Chris-follower was supposed to pay to the government all that he or she owed them including, taxes, revenue, respect and honor; provided, however, that the government devotedly persevered in governing in a way that was for the \u201cgood\u201d of the citizens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

OBSERVATION OF THE SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GREEK SENTENCE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Romans 13:6-7 (ESV)[i]<\/a> reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6<\/sup> For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7<\/sup> Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Paul\u2019s Rationale for Paying Taxes, etc.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In verse 6, Paul set forth his rationale for his audience to \u201calso pay taxes\u201d, as well as carry out the actions in verse 7.  His rationale was that the government was, \u201cministers of God, attending to this very thing.\u201d  The fact the government was \u201cministers of God\u201d further defined the relationship between God and government.  The ESV translates the Greek noun leitourgos <\/em>as \u201cministers\u201d and it has the sense of a person working in the service of God.   One commentator[ii]<\/a> writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vincent says; \u201cThe word here brings out more fully the fact that the ruler, like the priests, discharges a divinely ordained service. Government is thus elevated into the sphere of religion.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

By characterizing the government as \u201cministers of God,\u201d Paul linked the obligations in verses 6 and 7 to a government with all the attributes in the preceding verses, i.e., vv. 1-5.   As \u201cministers of God,\u201d the government of verses 6-7, which was the same as that in verses 1-5, was supposed to govern for the \u201cgood\u201d[iii]<\/a> of the citizens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ESV translates the Greek verb proskartere\u014d<\/em> as \u201cattending\u201d and it means, to serve in a close personal relationship\u2014\u2018to serve personally.\u2019\u201d[iv]<\/a>  It has the sense of to persevere devotedly.   The \u201cLittle Kittel\u201d[v]<\/a> theological dictionary reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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proskarter\u00e9\u014d. This word finds two uses: 1. with persons \u201cto be devoted to,\u201d and 2. with objects a. \u201cto focus on,\u201d b. \u201cto hold fast to,\u201d and c. \u201cto be in continually.\u201d In the LXX it is a stronger form of karter\u00e9\u014d in Num. 13:20. In the NT sense 2.c. occurs in Mk. 3:9 (\u201cto be continually ready\u201d) and Acts 2:42, and sense 2.a. in Rom. 13:6, where the authorities focus constantly on their divinely given task.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The grammar[vi]<\/a> added a gloss to proskartere\u014d<\/em> so that it was continuous with no expectation of ending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In verse 6, what Paul intended to say to his audience was that because the government devotedly persevered in carrying out its governing function of governing for the \u201cgood\u201d of the citizens, the citizens had the obligation to \u201cpay taxes\u201d, as well as the actions described in verse 7.   Please keep in mind that quality of governing for the \u201cgood\u201d of the citizens meant that the government was supposed to govern in such a fashion as to be consistent with God\u2019s will and the teachings in God\u2019s Word when it comes to the issues pertaining to the beginning of human life, human sexuality, gender, the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, and the free assembly of believers to worship God.  The government was to reward or praise good conduct and be a source of fear or punish bad or wrong conduct. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actions the Citizens are Required to Perform<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In verse 7, Paul wrote that the \u201cgoverning authorities\u201d were to govern such that they were to receive [from the \u201cevery person\u201d] \u201call that is owed to them.\u201d  By this phrase, Paul intended to convey to his audience that the \u201cgoverning authorities\u201d had to function up to a certain standard, i.e., devotedly persevered in carrying out its governing function of governing for the \u201cgood\u201d of the citizens, in order for the government to be entitled to receive \u201call that is owed to them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next two attributes had to do with the financial relationship between the \u201cgoverning authorities\u201d and the \u201cevery person.\u201d   Per the one attribute, the \u201cevery person\u201d was to pay \u201ctaxes to whom taxes are owed.\u201d  The ESV translates the Greek noun phoros<\/em> as \u201ctaxes\u201d and it has the sense of payment of monies or tribute from one nation to another for protection and as an acknowledgement of submission.  The ESV translates the Greek noun opheil\u0113<\/em> as \u201cwhat is owed\u201d and it has the sense of goods or services owed by one person to another.  Paul intended to convey that in order for the \u201cevery person\u201d to pay the taxes, the \u201cgoverning authorities\u201d had to have provided the requisite protection and services for which those taxes were due. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Per the next attribute, the citizen was to pay \u201crevenue to whom revenue is owed.\u201d  The ESV translates the Greek noun telos<\/em> as \u201crevenue\u201d and it has the sense of a tax levied on goods and services rather on persons or organizations.  Paul intended to teach his audience that a citizen was to pay sales taxes and the like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Verse 7 continued on with the requirement that \u201cevery person\u201d was to pay \u201crespect to whom respect is owed.\u201d  The ESV translates the Greek noun phobos<\/em> as \u201crespect\u201d and it has the sense of a feeling of profound respect for someone or something.  In order for the phobos<\/em> to be owed, the \u201cgoverning authorities\u201d had to have governed so as to deserve that phobos<\/em>.  This meant that the government would have had to have been devotedly persevering in carrying out the governing function in order to deserve respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, in verse 7 Paul wrote that \u201cevery person\u201d was to pay \u201chonor to whom honor is owed.\u201d  The ESV translates the Greek tim\u0113<\/em> as \u201chonor\u201d and it has the sense of the state or condition of being highly respected or revered.  In order for the tim\u0113<\/em> to be owed, the \u201cgoverning authorities\u201d had to have governed in such a fashion as to have deserved the tim\u0113<\/em>.  Like for respect, this meant that the government would have had to have been devotedly persevering in carrying out the governing function in order to deserve honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The takeaways from my observation of the seventh and eighth Greek sentences are described below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, what Paul intended to say to his audience was that because the government devotedly persevered in carrying out its governing function of governing for the \u201cgood\u201d of the citizens, the citizens had the obligation to \u201cpay taxes\u201d (in verse 6), as well as the actions described in verse 7.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, what Paul intended to say was that a Chris-follower was supposed to pay to the government all that he or she owed them including, taxes, revenue, respect and honor; provided, however, that the government devotedly persevered in governing in a way that was for the \u201cgood\u201d of the citizens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 In the next article, i.e., Article 10, I present my interpretation of Romans 13:1-7.<\/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> The seventh and eighth Greek sentences read in a number of English translations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interlinear V. 6 \u2013 because of \u2013 this \u2013 for \u2013 also \u2013 taxes \u2013 you pay \u2013 servants \u2013 for \u2013 of God \u2013 they are \u2013 in \u2013 very [thing] \u2013 this \u2013 to busily engaged.  V. 7 \u2013 pay \u2013 to everyone \u2013 [what is] \u2013 owed \u2013 to [whom] – * – taxes [are due] – * – [pay] taxes \u2013 to [whom] – * – customs duties [are due] – * – [pay] customs duties \u2013 to [whom] – * – respect [is due] – * – [pay] respect \u2013 to [whom] \u2013 honor [is due] – * – [pay] honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AMP 6 <\/sup><\/strong>For this same reason you pay taxes, for civil authorities<\/em> are God\u2019s servants, devoting themselves to governance. AMP7 <\/sup><\/strong>Pay to all what is due: tax to whom tax is due<\/em>, customs to whom customs, respect to whom respect, honor to whom honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NIV 6<\/sup> This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God\u2019s servants, who give their full time to governing. NIV 7<\/sup> Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NLT 6<\/sup> Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. NLT 7<\/sup> Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NCV 6<\/sup> This is also why you pay taxes. Rulers are working for God and give their time to their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[ii]<\/a> Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest\u2019s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader<\/em><\/a> (Vol. 2, pp. 221\u2013226). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[iii]<\/a> The quality of governing for the \u201cgood\u201d of the citizens meant that the government was supposed to govern in such a fashion as to be consistent with God\u2019s will and the teachings in God\u2019s Word when it comes to the issues pertaining to the beginning of human life, human sexuality, gender, the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, and the free assembly of believers to worship God.  The government was to reward or praise good conduct and be a source of fear or punish bad or wrong conduct. <\/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 (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 460). New York: United Bible Societies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[v]<\/a> Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 417). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[vi]<\/a>  The grammar of proskartere\u014d<\/em> is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

present \u2014 The verb tense where the writer portrays an action in process or a state of being with no assessment of the action\u2019s completion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

active \u2014 The grammatical voice that signifies that the subject is performing the verbal action or is in the state described by the verb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

participle \u2014 A word that has characteristics of both a verb and an adjective \u2014 a \u201cverbal adjective\u201d (cf. the word \u201cshining\u201d). As such, Greek and Latin participles have gender, number and case (the adjectival side), as well as tense and voice (the verbal side). Participles do not have mood, but can function in an imperative sense. In general, a participle\u2019s tense is similar to a finite verb\u2019s tense. The aspect of a participle cannot be simply equated with that of verbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Heiser, M. S., & Setterholm, V. M. (2013; 2013). Glossary of Morpho-Syntactic Database Terminology. Lexham Press.<\/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-701","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\/701","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=701"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/701\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2142,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/701\/revisions\/2142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=701"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}