Study of First
Peter Chapter 2 Lesson 30
Review:
Why are we do be
submissive, to have respect for authority?
for the Lord's sake dia + acc of kurioj because of
the Lord!
to every human institution,
whether to a king as the one
in authority, (vs:14) or to governors as sent by him for
the punishment of evildoers
- king basileu,j the one who has the supreme authority over
people
or to governors h`gemw,n refers at this
time to provincial governors who were either appointed by the emporer or the
Roman senate.
as sent by him links back to the king or emperor or today
the President
Purpose of these authorities:
First
- for the punishment of evildoers
It is the
responsibility of the government under the LDE #4 & 5 to punish those who
violate the law, must do so in order to protect your life, privacy, and
property.
Secondly
- and the praise of those who do right.
-
here refers to one who functions correctly under the laws of the nation in
direct contrast to the evil doer
Summary
1.
We are commanded here to submit to the authority of the national entity, its
rulers, even though it may be administered by unbelievers.
2.
This command is to be complied with regardless of the form of the government.
3.
What's the Biblical Principle involved here?
All governing authority and power originates from God.
As
Paul wrote in Rom 13:1-7 to give us some principles related to authority of the
state and our relationship to it.
13:1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing
authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which
exist are established by God.
- Paul was writing in 57 AD. during the early days of
Nero
- Prin: Rulers and governments are ultimately responsible
to God, He will promote or destroy them according to His purpose in history
13:2 Therefore
whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they
who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
- a system of orderliness and law are required to keep a nation from anarchy and
self-destruction
- If you are rebelling against
the government you are rebelling against God and therefore in line for
punishment.
13:3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for
good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of
authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
- good here is being obedient to the laws of the land LDE
#4 which is true morality
- Those who seem to escape punishment by law, the
authorities, will be disciplined by the natural consequences of their rejection
of that authority. "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY."
13:4 for it (authority) is a minister of
God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for
it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger
who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
- the proper function of LDE #4 & 5 is for the good
of the people.
- The government cannot effectively maintain law and
order under the LDE without enforcement of capital punishment, thus the phrase
"bears the sword"
- What we have seen in this country since WWII is the
breakdown of the will to punish the criminal, the murderer and much of this
breakdown is because of the strong influence of religion, liberalism in politics.
- Cap. punishment is still in force Biblically:
1st
established in Gen 9:5-6 Age of the Gentiles
It was
reiterated to
In the Church
age - here in Rom 13:4
In the
Millennium, Jesus Christ Himself will enforce
cap punishment Isa. 11:4
13:5 Therefore it is necessary to be in
subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
- weak laws and tepid
enforcement foster repeated criminal activity therefore it takes strong laws
and strict enforcement to deter crime.
13:6 For because of this you also pay taxes,
for rulers are servants
of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
- abuse by unfair and burdensome taxes does not change
the principle
13:7a Render to all what is due them:
- this follows the principle
laid down by Christ himself in Mt. 22:21
- What is being established
in both contexts is that we not only have a responsibility in the spiritual
realm but also under DI#4&5 to the nation.
13:7b tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to
whom fear; honor to whom honor.
- these 4 idioms describe
our responsibility/obligation to DI #4 & #5
#1 tax to whom tax is due = refers to direct tax, like income
tax
#2 custom to
whom custom = refers to indirect taxation, duties, sales taxes
#3 fear to whom fear = this indicates respect for
authority, that is all areas of bonifide authority
#4 honor to whom honor = this refers to
recognition of and commendation of those who are doing what is right in support of
DI#4 & #5