1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
The last verses of the previous chapter introduced the mind of peace and love which must guide the heart of the Christ-seeker: Recompense to no man evil for evil (Rom 12:17), live peaceably with all men (Rom 12:18), avenge not yourselves (Rom 12:19), be not overcome of evil (Rom 12:21). So it is fitting to now read that the Christian, while no true citizen on earth (Php 3:20), should seek to live peacefully in the nation wherein he happens to dwell. This same general mandate is repeated in Titus 3:1-3 and 1Peter 2:12-15.
As always, the teaching of this chapter must be read in accordance with other Scripture principles. And particularly relevant is that foundational doctrine of “Two Kingdom theology,” which forms the chief difference between Anabaptists and main-school Protestants. Its corollary is the doctrine of “Separation and Nonconformity,” which Anabaptists take as Christ’s call for His people to come out from the World and live holy, separated lives for His cause and Kingdom. Upon these broad principles the New Testament sets the rules of life for citizens in the Kingdom of Christ that has been so often opposed by the kingdoms of this world. For in truth and practice, the living saint of God has renounced his earthly life and loyalty upon pledging total, unconditional allegiance to Christ and His new Kingdom on earth. Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:33). Earthly governments have always harshly treated the true churches of Christ and constantly accused them of disobedience and insurrection, in spite of the fact that they pose absolutely no threat to State or public – for they reject the sword as outside the perfection of Christ. Nevertheless, they have been continually imprisoned, tortured and killed for refusing to follow the rules of the land. What is the correct response of Christ’s people? These verses answer that question.
Of course, we need to follow the teaching of the full Word of God. Not robotically reading the letter of one principle only, but seeking the spirit of the Scriptures and applying it wisely to our present circumstances. The Apostle’s end goal here is not to encourage kingdom saints to be model citizens, but to animate them to more beautifully represent the way of Christ to the people of the land. For assuredly the Christian is not a citizen of any nation! He passes through this world as a stranger and foreigner (Heb 11:8-10), an ambassador living in an alien country (2Cor 5:18-20). He has been translated from one kingdom into another (Col 1:13), making him a citizen of heaven (Php 3:20; John 18:36). No man can serve two masters; he must choose, and then that one he must yield himself as servant to obey (Mat 6:24). When Paul chose Christ, he renounced all else (Php 3:7-11). The Scriptures call us to obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29).
Nevertheless, we are called to peace and that certainly applies to daily living in the civil realm. Pray… for kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1Tim 2:1-2). We do not pray that God would bless the State in its pursuits, but that governmental actions and decisions would aid peaceful growth of the Kingdom of Christ. The calm, reasonable, sober, peaceable, forgiving demeanor of God’s people is a testimony of great worth. Study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing (1Thes 4:11-12).
Given the churches’ experience with the Roman government at the time of this writing, the advice of these verses is remarkable. Jewish and Roman governments persecuted Christianity from its very beginning and that pattern has followed the churches of Christ ever since. The normal response of the persecuted Christian would be to question if he should ever obey those heathen rulers who have no care for Christ or His Kingdom. And so it is even today, when the hearts of true Christians are grieved to see the governments of the world legislating terrible wickedness and aiding the spread of criminality and ungodliness. Submit to ungodly magistrates and rulers of iniquity? How can it be? Only by turning again to those principles of Christian behavior the Apostle has laid out in the previous chapter – to live peaceably, honestly and humbly during the time of our earthly pilgrimage.
There is no power but of God. Under the Old Covenant, the nation of Israel was a single civil and religious kingdom of God’s making. That era has ended, and now those two realms are starkly separated. The present Kingdom of Christ is strictly a spiritual kingdom which transcends all political boundaries and country borders such that Christians in every nation under heaven are brothers and citizens together (Luke 17:21). What happened to the godly man’s civil responsibilities with the close of the Israelite Covenant? That is the subject at hand, and as we have said, it is not a simple rule. For while the Old Covenant had a set of civil laws given by God and enforced His own people, that is not the case under the New Covenant. So the Christian may question the very idea of earthly rulers having authority over his affairs. The Apostle’s mandate and explanation answers those doubts in a manner entirely consistent with the deeper tenants of Christianity. For consider the two alternatives: 1) that the Christian should NOT be subject to earthly authorities, 2) that the Christian should be ENTIRELY subject to his country’s government. The first idea would contradict the very fruits of the Spirit in Christian behavior, and the second would undo our pledge of allegiance to Christ as our only Lord and Savior. The ground between these two extremes is not strictly delineated. There is surely room for differences of conscience (v5).
The Jews had a long, notable reputation of rioting, insurrections and rabid rebellions against any king or authority who attempted to exert some power over them, legitimate or not. Had not God given to them the land of Canaan? Had He not made of them an holy nation… a kingdom of priests (Ex 19:6)? Even the Apostles thought that Christ was about to restore again the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6). The teaching of these verses then, was no small matter for those Christians from among the Jews. The Gentile Christians were also affected, for the Romans tended to group Christians with the Jews, erroneously thinking they were a sect of the Judaic religion (Acts 24:5). The Apostle’s main basis for requiring peace and obedience to the ruling authorities is equally valid to both groups: the powers that be are ordained by God (v1).
The practical application of this important rule of life must walk the wise road between the following two pillars of truth: 1) the Christian is fully submitted to the rule of Christ and so he cannot pledge allegiance to any earthly nation or political cause; 2) the Christian is an honest, just, peaceable doer of good that lives as a lamb among wolves in the land of his earthly sojourn. My comments in the next few verses intend to follow that middle path. As citizens of a different Kingdom, we must speak out and refuse to follow any laws that dishonor our true Ruler, even as Daniel refused to obey the king’s command. However, that mind must not continue unto arrogance. Being unbound to earthly allegiance does not authorize insubordination and political activism. It is not our place to work with or against governments, but to conduct ourselves separately and wisely according to our first allegiance.
The common tendency of many groups is to err on the side of being overly supportive of the governments of their particular country. Some will even take up arms to defend their flag. How shocking the thought of Christians in two opposing earthly nations praying to God for aid in killing their enemies and winning the battle against each other! In more subtle ways and on simpler topics, even some Anabaptists tend to defend the rationale and rules of the government of their land. Be careful! Governments have always arrayed themselves against the true churches of Christ! These are the very beasts that the Revelation warned us about. We must not join with them.
Regarding the Christian’s walk in the world, Jesus said, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves (Mat 10:16). This emphasizes again the two important principles we noted earlier for applying the teaching of these verses: living in peace and love among the people of the world, yet actually fully following our allegiance unto Christ. We must navigate life by these two Biblical stars.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
During Paul’s lifetime, leadership in Rome was a chaotic battle of political opponents marked by subterfuge and assassination. Civil rebellion, protests and attempts to overthrow the government were common. The people of God must not be caught up in such matters. They belong to a different kingdom that is not of this world; their fervent, absolute loyalty is to that King (John 18:33-37). The fascinating story of Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s plot to kill Adolf Hitler makes a valuable study on this topic.
The powers that be are ordained by God. Earthly kingdoms rise and are deposed according to God’s will and pleasure, but that doesn’t mean He approves of their methods. Violence, evil workings and graft have always been standard fare in all governments of the world. Clearly though, God has sanctioned an authority system whereby the people groups of the world can be protected and affirmed in their daily lives. The absence of government is anarchy, where every man does what is right (?) in his own eyes and there is no recourse to justice, no organization that sets into law what is criminal, and no authority to require personal accountability.
Shall receive to themselves damnation (krima). Not damnation in hell, but personal guilt and judgment as decided by the magistrate (see word usage in Mat 7:2; Rom 11:3, etc). The one who resists the government, whether fighting for a particular political cause or simply disobeying the rules of the Land, makes himself liable to arrest, judgment and punishment by the civil authorities. Do not expect God to protect you from such ill-advised actions, for rulers are there to execute this terror (v3).
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
God ordained civil governments to keep order and justice. They are a terror to evildoers, but a minister of God for those that are good. The righteous man should have no reason to fear the government and the government should find the Christian to be a peaceful, law-abiding citizen (1Tim 1:9). As such, these verses are pure gold in the arguments concerning the roles of Church and State, for they remind both of their rightful responsibilities. Christians should keep the laws of the land as long as they do not conflict with his higher call to follow the Way of Truth; and the State should serve as avenger and protector of its people. The principles of Christianity were fitted by God to generally apply under many forms of human government and history has demonstrated the Gospel to be extremely effective even in brazen, atheistic governments. Christians should never be grouped with rebels – those presumptuous, selfwilled rioters and haters of authority (2Pet 2:10).
Unfortunately, the governments of the world have never operated according to their God-given mandate and have become promoters of Evil instead of being protectors of Good. This fact is predicted in the Revelation, where the Beast that rose up out of the sea is a symbol of World Governments and their age-long antagonism against the people of God. Many examples could be given of earthly rulers actually being a terror to good works instead of evildoers. The early church was beaten down by the Romans and 16th century Anabaptists lived in fear of their God-ordained “ministers for good,” who improperly executed wrath on the righteous. In both cases, the powers that be abandoned their charge to uphold justice and instead arrogated to themselves authority that was not rightfully theirs.
Today, satanic pressures continue to instigate governments to ignore their God-given mandate and seek to become the putative gods of their society. It is no wonder then, to see terrible criminal behavior castigated with mild sentences or dropped completely on a technicality. Meanwhile, the good Christian is jailed and fined for just speaking out against homosexuality, or for helping a woman escape a wicked environment with her own child. It should be abundantly clear that the governments of the world are operating outside of their rightful sphere of authority. All metrics predict things will get much worse, for the simple Christian way of life has become the target of governmental attack. Christian companies may not deny service to homosexuals. There are “hate laws” that forbid preaching against wicked practices like gender changes and gay marriage. Governors have mandated no-congregation laws for churches citing the covid pandemic.
These examples justify the actions of Anabaptists who have refused to pledge allegiance to the nation of their earthly sojourn. We are citizens only in the legal sense of being born in an certain country. “While living in this world we do not really use what the world offers, for the fashion of this world passeth away” (1Cor 7:31). In step with Paul and John, fellow Apostle Peter warned that the governments of the world would accuse Christians as evildoers (1Pet 2:12). Nevertheless, he said, we should submit to the king’s ordinance (1Pet 2:13-14) so that our otherwise good behavior might prove their charges to be false (1Pet 2:15-18), then we shalt have praise of the same (v3). Meaning that the Christian’s good, quiet behavior should earn governmental respect. And even if does not, we must continue to do as God has desired us. As much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (Rom 12:18).
A revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. This seems taken directly from the civil laws of the Old Testament, which upheld justice even to capital punishment. A sword is used to kill. Any earthly government does well to base their justice system upon the God-ordained Law of the Old Testament.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
In summary, the Christian must needs be subject to the government for two reasons: first, to avoid their punishments (v2) and second, because a Christian is not an evildoer (v3). In other words, “Be subject to the laws of the land, not just for fear of punishment but to follow a good conscience of rejecting evil works.” As Peter writes, Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer…yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed (1Pet 4:14-16). If the government oppresses you as a Christian living according to your good conscience, be not ashamed – you are not at fault, but the government that is acting illegitimately. The valid authorities are the minister of God ordained to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Of course we obey them in that.
Yet again the obvious fact is that many laws have been made for the opposite purpose – to persecute good instead of punishing evil. The Scriptures often warn the Christian that he will be persecuted by the authorities. Take heed to yourselves, for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for My sake (Mark 13:9; Mat 10:23; Luke 21:12). Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake (Luke 6:22; Mat 5:11; John 15:20). If ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled (1Pet 3:14).
These verses give courage to the Christian to reject those illegitimate governmental laws that, contrary to upholding justice, repress Christian values and undermine the rules of Christ. And for conscience sake we do not obey them, for they are contrary to sound doctrine (1Tim 1:10). For conscience sake means we obey the whole rule of Christ (1Tim 1:5), including that we must needs be subject to the rules of the authorities in all points that do not inhibit the truth and life of the Gospel. Let us not err on the side of following first the laws of the State, but on the side of over-honoring the laws of the Scripture! The Kingdom of Christ is our true allegiance and citizenship. If the life-rule of the Christian is more intent upon not offending the World instead of living in accordance with his real Kingdom authority, then something is out of balance.
Beware that the Devil is very astute in these matters. In the last few centuries, his tactics have changed from overt to covert. Before he came as a lion, killing and torturing any who did not bow to his rule, but now he comes softly, deceiving and persuading by great swelling words of vanity (2Pet 2:18) and by arguments of science falsely so called (1Tim 6:20). The Revelation describes how, in the time of Satan’s little season at the end of the world, he will deceive the governments of the world into doing his wicked bidding and with one mind they will work to subvert the Word of Truth and impair the power of the Spirit (see my notes in Rev 19-20). The churches of Christ will wane and their testimony will be ineffective before the onslaught of this great deception (Rev 11:8-10). When these things begin to pass, lift up your heads, for the time of redemption is at hand (Luke 21:28).
Should we obey or disobey the governor’s mandate forbidding families to meet for the Thanksgiving holiday because there is a virus in the streets? Should we hold church services during the pandemic or improvise with video meetings? Churches need to allow the exercise of individual consciences, but let us not be blind to the inevitable fruit that these illegitimate rules will produce! Less spirituality, less knowledge of God’s Word, less respect for the church body. Are we so afraid of criticism? So concerned about our physical well-being? How important it is to follow the wise, Godly path and not the popular one of Society. We are to come out from among them and be separate, we are not a part of society. If we are ashamed of that, Christ will be ashamed to be our God (2Cor 6:16-18).
The present governments of the world have increased their promotion of LIES and WICKEDNESS to unprecedented levels. Witness the anti-God topics of evolution, homosexuality, feminism, gender changes, vegetarianism and a myriad other “scientifically proven facts.” Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter (Is 5:20). By many lying means they are convincing humanity to accept their “truths,” agendas and values. And they use the very effective method of “cancelling” anyone who dares to even inadvertently say something in disagreement. Here in Chile, the government is contemplating the addition of endorsements/restrictions to their mandatory identity cards which will prohibit/allow activities based on one’s adherence to the State’s protocols. The “consensus of Science” is a dangerous, anti-God authority.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
If Christians are to follow the laws of the State only when they do not conflict with the laws of Christ, should they pay taxes to the State? Yes. The Apostle echoes the teaching of Christ, who famously silenced the Jews’ objection to taxation by saying, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s (Mat 22:21). If Christians can live in the world’s society without being part of it (John 17:14-18), then they can live in subjection to the State without being a part of it – and that includes paying their taxes. On another occasion, Jesus told Peter to fish out a piece of money to pay the tribute tax, but only after explaining that He really didn’t owe it – lest we should offend them (Mat 17:22-27).
The conscience of some is to err on the side of State, accommodating their Christian life to the constraints that the State imposes. They apply this mind also to paying taxes. I wonder. Is Christ best honored by paying a little MORE to the government than what is strictly due, just in case of an audit? Or is He better honored by paying the bare minimum so that it might be used in His Kingdom? Much of the tax money that governments collect goes for immoral causes – war, abortion, gay rights, arts and science grants, etc. In my view, the balance of Christ’s rules versus the State’s mandates is not a 51%-49% mentality, but a 99%-1% allegiance to the Kingdom of God. The governments of the world are a part of Satan’s kingdom until that Day they are swept up like dust in the balance and thrown into the Lake of Fire (Rev 11:15; Jude 14; Rev 17). We render due fear, custom and tribute because of how we should behave in the Kingdom of Christ, not because of how we appear before men. It is likewise discordant to refuse to pay taxes and to rebel against the government (cf Jude 1:8-9).
In these verses, the Apostle’s model of Church and State pre-supposes that the true Kingdom of Christ is small in comparison to general society. He describes the Christian as living in subjection to the Government, yet neither participating in it, nor revolting against it. His framework is: 1) we the Church, and 2) they the State. And yes, the Scriptures present the saints of the Kingdom as a minority in relation to the citizens of this fair World. Many walk the broad way to destruction, but few are courageous enough to follow the strait and narrow way unto life (Mat 7:13-14; Luke 13:23-24). Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom (Luke 12:32). God is seeking a people that sincerely, voluntarily love and worship Him; a select, chosen, peculiar people that in works of righteousness do shew forth the praise and honor that is due His holy name (1Pet 2:9).
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Pay your debts, whether the king’s tribute, commercial invoices or personal loans. The testimony of a Christian who cannot act as a good steward of his own finances is greatly hindered (1Tim 3:7). Owe no man any thing does not mean that we refuse to receive gifts, or the aid of others, or the forgiveness of a debt, but that we repay in timely fashion our financial obligations, as well as any other commitments we might have made. There is one obligation that we can never fully pay, and that is the duty to serve our fellowman in love. The Law of Moses itself was based upon the decision and action of love. The Greek word owe (opheilete) is the verb form of the word debts (opheilamata) in the Lord’s Prayer (Mat 6:12).
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
At the base of true religion is love (1Cor 13:13). The first four commandments call for man to love God and the last six involve love in action toward others. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Mat 22:36-40; Gal 5:14). Paul cites five of the six commandments directed to loving our fellow man, but omits the first in that table, honor thy father and mother (Eph 6:2).
Love is the fulfilling of the Law. The spirit or intent of the Mosaic Law was that Mankind act in love towards God and Man. That is the essence of the Ten Commandments, which continue true and valid under the New Covenant. See my notes in Mat 5. It is fitting to hear these cited in this chapter’s context that commands the Christian to be subject to the laws of the land, for if all were to follow it, there would be no law-breakers.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
As the years go by, the time for salvation grows more urgent. And for the already saved, the passing years often tend unto comfort, laxity and even slumber. It is high time to awake. This has never been more true! The night is far spent…Awake thou that sleepest (Eph 5:14).
Knowing the time (kairos, the season). Many are able to discern the coming weather by looking at the sky, but they cannot discern the signs of the times (Mat 16:3). Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already unto harvest (John 4:35). The Scriptures urgently warn the churches to take heed, to watch and pray always (Luke 21:34-36), for the Day will come suddenly, like a snare, at an hour when ye think not (Luke 12:40). Know the time! It is increasingly important, yet I see less and less urgency in this matter among the people of God. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that Day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light…therefore let us not sleep, as do others (1Thes 5:3-8)
In addition to knowing the season of the world, know your own time. Life is a vapor! And at that moment of death there is no more time for you. Are you saved? Have you cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light? There is a double contrast in these two phrases: light with darkness, works with armor. The works of darkness are the acts of fleshly lusts (1Pet 2:11; Col 3:8; Gal 5:19-21), but the Christian puts on the armor of light (Eph 6:11-18).
Walking in the light. Study this common figure of Scripture in John 12:35-36; Acts 26:18; John 8:12; 1John 1:7; Eph 5:8; John 3:19-21.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
The life of a Christian should never be characterized by immoral, rowdy, crude, foolish behavior (Titus 2:12). Let us walk honestly (euschamonos), meaning uprightly, decently, soberly, mannerly (Luke 21:34; Eph 5:5-8). Rioting (revellings in Gal 5:21; 1Pet 4:3) and all such foolish acts must not be once named among you (Eph 5:3). Chambering (the bed in Heb 13:4) is a euphemism for all kinds of immoral behavior, and wantonness (lasciviousness in Gal 5:19; Eph 4:19) refers to all kinds of sensual or promiscuous behavior.
Instead, put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. The figure is that of putting on a garment and is commonly used in this context (see Gal 3:27; Eph 4:24; Col 3:12; Eph 6:11). Instead of walking nakedly in the lusts of the flesh, be clothed with Christ (2Cor 5:2-4). Imitate His manner of conduct and His frame of mind.