Romans Part 41

Romans Part 41 – Romans 13:1-5 Verse 1-2 • The context – Paul is dealing with not using our liberty as an occasion to the flesh and not recompensing evil with evil. We are to give place to wrath. The place of wrath toward evil is with the God ordained powers. Rom 12-19-21. • “let every soul” – Christians aren’t exempt from this notwithstanding – Rom 6:14, 1Cor 4:3-4 • “be subject unto the higher powers” – God instituted higher powers – Eph 5:22-23, 6:1. 1:22, 1Cor 12.28, Gen 9:6 – Ultimately God is the highest power – Rom 2:5-6, Dan 4:24-25, Col 1:16. • “ The powers that be are ordained of God” - It is the position that was ordained by God and not the people in them. We are to be subject to the positions that hold authority in our country. • “whosever therefore resisteth the powers resisteth the ordinance of God” – Ordinance ~arrangement” – 1Cor 11:2, 34. • “they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation” – The role of the powers is not to give salvation but punishment to evildoers. Verse 3-5 • “vs 3” – The purpose of the powers is to judge the evildoer and praise those who do good. Christians should be receiving praise often – Eph 2:10, Tit 3:8. • “For he is the minister of God to thee for good” – If the powers are not ministering that which is good than they are not fulfilling their purpose as ministers of God • “a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” – If someone steals from you it’s okay to want justice and to get it back, but it’s the powers responsibility to execute that revenge. • “Wherefore ye must needs be subject” – Not a teaching unique to Paul – Ecc 8:2-5, Prov 14:35, 1Pet 2:11-15. • “not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake” – Paul kept a good conscience before men – Acts 23:1-5, 24:11-21, 25:8-12 Errors to avoid from this passage • “God put those people in power” – God ordained the positions not the people. If the person in power is ordained of God and ministers evil instead of good than God is the author of evil. This should also mean you do everything they say. • “We have to do everything the powers say” Not if they are ministering evil – Col 2:20, Rom 12:9, Prov 17:15. • We should resist evil and fight back, but, we are not Israel setting up a kingdom and our warfare is not fleshly with physical swords but spiritual. Eph 6:11-13, 2Cor 10:3-6, 2Tim 4:7. • The powers in Paul’s day were evil, he desired to see them saved – Tit 3:1-5, 1Tim 2:1-4.