Source: https://cmpps.org/romans-chp-131-7/
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 18:27:48+00:00

Document:
Moreover, as Paul is writing to Christians under a government that is corrupt. Therefore, 12:1-2 is very much applicable to how we respond in all situations, especially relevant to those at Rome. It is likely that Paul was aware of the teachings of Jesus. He is reflecting Christian civic responsibility in the context of Rome in AD 57 and today in 2013.
Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s (Matt 22:21).
I. Claudius ordered Jews to leave Rome around AD 49. Why?
A. Expulsion of the Jews and Christians from Rome under Claudius was not necessarily for faith, hope, and love, or even the proclamation that Jesus was the Messiah.
III. Given the history and context of the day, it seems that Paul is writing to tell the Roman Christians not to get involved in the revolutionary movement advocating rebellion against Rome.
IV. Governmental authorities aren’t good all the time and sometimes overtly evil, even today.
v. 1 Does submission mean to obey? Believers may find it hard to comply with all governmental mandates (cf. Acts 5:28-29).
Are we called to accept the consequences of our refusal to comply with governmental demands? Does this reflect submission?
v. 1b Paul makes it clear that God has placed governmental authorities in place. This is true for the “god of this age” too. Satan only has authority because God gave it (Lk. 4:6).
Our citizenship is not of this world (Phil 3:20; Jn 17:14). Therefore, aren’t we excused from responsibility to acknowledge “worldly government” as possessing authority from God to govern us?
No! We have dual citizenship according to God’s sovereign plan in this life.
v. 2 What happens if we refuse to submit to the governing authority?
what God has instituted, (an institution) vs. an anti-God attitude (depraved humankind)?
v. 3-4 What about tyrannical governments? Throughout church history and all around the world today.
II. What about when government’s represent evil?
C. Submission does not mean blind conformity to evil or agreeing to unjust practices conducted by the government.
A. God finds a way to bring good out of apparent evil.
Harrison (1976) quotes Kasemann, “Sometimes the Lord of the world speaks more audibly out of prison cells and graves than out of the life of churches which congratulate themselves on their concordat with the State” (p. 138).
1. instituted as God’s servant.
3. fallible in decision making however, we are called to avoid attitudes of disdain, contempt, or disregard, especially for a normative government.
Sword- for 200 years this term referred only to the power given to provincial governors who had Roman citizen troops under their command to enable them to maintain military discipline without being hampered by the provisions of the laws of provocatio (Harrison, p. 138).
Therefore, it appears that Paul is warning Christians against becoming involved in activity that could be construed by the Roman government as encouraging revolution or injuring the state.
v. 6 Does this view of the government as “servant of God” make it easier to pay taxes?
This presupposes that we have received or will receive from the government and should be okay with “giving back” in the form of taxes.
v. 7 Lord help us to always have a willing heart to give, especially honor and respect as the Spirit leads.

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