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

 

 

2:13  Submit yourselves (authority orientation) because of the Lord to every human institution whether to a king, as the one having supreme authority,

2:14  or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of criminals and commendation of the ones doing right.

 

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 Israel - Ex 20:13; Lev 24:17

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