OK, let’s start analyzing the text of Romans 13. The passage starts off: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” (Romans 13:1)

In an article in Direction Journal, Jon Isaak notes:

Paul does not use the most common word for obedience (hypakouo) in 13:1 and 13:5 (Yoder, 212). Instead he uses a more general word, meaning “to submit” or “to stand under” (hypotasso). There is a difference between societal obedience (that which is automatic and unreflective) and internal consent (that which is offered only after reflection and assessment).

That’s presented for your consideration and comment. I don’t know enough Greek to comment one way or the other.

The other part of the verse, the term translated authorities, is the term translated as “powers” in several other passages. We spent some time last week discussing this concept of powers; suffice it for now to say that this is more than just a simple reference to human government. Paul would have had a hard time separating the officials from the spiritual powers behind them. And we should have a harder time doing the same.

We have a Western view of government, with a “separation of church and state.” There’s no reason to think that Paul would have done the same. He saw “the powers” as just that: the powers. Powers that compete to some degree with Christ’s authority and that will eventually be destroyed by Christ.

We’ll continue examining this passage over the next few days. As always, thoughts and comments are not only welcomed, they are thoroughly encouraged.

Before jumping into the grammar of Romans 13, I wanted to state from the outset that I see this passage as being limited in application. And everyone else does too.

Everyone? Isn’t that a bit extreme? Well, if anyone takes this passage as being universal in application, I haven’t found them yet.

Some limit it by saying, “We obey the government except when that conflicts with obedience to God.” I think we see that truth clearly in the book of Acts.

Others limit it by saying that Paul’s statements about governments rewarding good behavior are merely a statement of what governments should do.

There are other minority interpretations, like the view that Paul is only referring to church government or that Paul is talking only about local authorities, not national governments.

Edit, 10:08 a.m.: (Sorry, I forgot this… it’s an important point!) Almost everyone takes with a grain of salt Paul’s statements about being blessed by the government when we do right. Or are there people who really believe that only evildoers suffer at the hands of the government? We know that is a concept that is limited in application. Otherwise, we are calling Jesus an evildoer. <end edit>

Whatever the case, the point is that NOBODY reads Romans 13 as applying to all situations at all times. That’s an important point to keep in mind as we study this passage. It’s not a question of whether or not there are limitations; it’s a question of what we understand the limitations to be.

It helps to remember that those big numbers in the Bible weren’t put there by the original authors. We see Romans 13 as a separate unit, but it really forms part of a larger unit in the book of Romans. Chapters 9-11 discuss the situation of the Jews within God’s plan.

Romans 12 starts a new section, beginning with the famous teaching: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1) I should probably include verse 2 as part of the theme of this whole section: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

Living sacrifice. Not conformed to this world. The verses that follow flesh out what that means.

The verses immediately before Romans 13 discuss taking revenge: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)

We then have the section of Romans 13 that we will be studying, verses 1-7. Those are followed by a discussion of love, connected by the concept of debt, what is owed. Then chapter 13 ends with a discussion of the significance of the end times.

So help me study this… how does this context inform our understanding of the first seven verses of Romans 13? What connections do you see?

Psalm 82
God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgment among the “gods”:
“How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?    Selah
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
“They know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
“I said, ‘You are “gods”; you are all sons of the Most High.’
But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler.”
Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.

The Old Testament presents a view of God that includes other celestial beings, some good, some bad. We can think back to the beginning chapters of Job, with Satan presenting himself at the gathering of the “sons of God.” Certain passages, as we saw in yesterday’s post, associate those beings with nations of this earth. Each nation has its “angel,” with Israel belonging to God himself.

For the biblical writers, there was no concept of separation of church and state. In fact, there was no separation of earthly and heavenly. The earthly state was an expression of heavenly realities.

In New Testament writings, we still see “the powers” as beings outside of this earthly realm. We can see that in some of the passages I referred to yesterday:
Romans 8:38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
Ephesians 3:10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Colossians 2:15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
1 Peter 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

1 Corinthians 15 tells us that there will be a time when these powers will be destroyed:

“Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:24-28)

These powers are enemies of Christ, just as death is an enemy of Christ. Their claims to authority stand in rivalry to Jesus’ lordship. Their hold over men will one day be broken. But that day has not yet come.