Question: Who are the ministers of God in Romans 13? Class notes: Intro: In ch. 12 Paul began with the fundamental transformation (1,2). Then the relationship of the Christian to his fellow Christian (3-16). Relationship to the world, including enemies (17-21). Jesus taught that we are to render to God the things which are God's and to Caesar the things which are Caesar's. This principle is enlarged upon in this chapter. Also, this chapter flows out of the last few verses of ch. 12. 1) Governments are appointed by God. The responsibility of subjection is directed to everyone, regardless of his social status. Soul: 1 Pet. 3:20; Acts 7:14. Present active imper.: keep on being in subjection. It was highly distasteful for the Jew to be subject to the Roman government, and there was the danger that when they became Christians they would hold on to their former prejudice. Gentile converts might feel that having confessed Jesus Christ as their king, they were not subject to any other government (Cf. Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-15). Subjection is not based upon government being just. But those in power had best realize that they are there through God's providence (Dan. 17,25,32) (G.). cf. Dan. 4:17,25; Rev. 1:5; 19:16. Pilate's unjust sentence was an abuse of his power (Jno.19:10). Nero abused his power. But such did not negate the principle of submission to the government (G). Also note the plural "powers." All governmental authorities. 2) This point logically and of necessity follows from v. 1. If the governing authorities are ordained by God, then if one resists those authorities, he resists the ordinance of God. The exception: when the ordinance of man would bring un into violation to an ordinance of God (Acts 5:29; Rev. 2:13). 3) Government also has its responsibilities. The first duty is to protect society. Rulers are not a terror to good works. Not by God's design! They are to promote good works. (G) The one who obeys the laws generally has nothing to fear from the government. On the other hand, those who do evil ought to be afraid, because God has given the government the power to punish the evil doer. They are obligated to be a terror to evil works. Murderers, rapists, thieves, child seducers, those who deal in drugs, prostitution, gambling, should be actively opposed by the government (G). When government goes astray from this principle and begins to punish the righteous and reward the criminal, it is no longer a minister of God. (ibid) 4) A second responsibility of government is to punish the lawbreakers, not to pamper them. Sword: Decapitation was the common method of execution for citizens. The MACHAIRA here is the sword in the hands of the executioner who inflicts the death penalty on criminals. Note that the government, not the individual, is to execute this wrath. "Our society should shed a tear for its victims of crime. We have heard much about crowded conditions in prisons, but let us remember that the victims of murderers do not have much room in their coffins either. The idea of keeping murderous monsters up to the tune of thousands of dollars of taxpayer's money is one of the more ludicrous activities of our time" (Green). 5) With this statement Paul goes back to v.1. There it is an admonition; here it is a statement of necessity. Two reasons are given for subjection: a) Wrath: Fear of punishment. Ill. officer with machine gun in bank in Prague. Line formation; out of way of door. Healthy fear is good: Teach our children to fear unguarded fires, deep and dangerous waters, dangerous heights. b) Conscience: The Christian has another, and a higher objective. "Not only because it is dangerous to resist, but also because it is right to submit" (Erdman). Because it is God's will that we do so. To strive to be within what we are seen to be without. There are those who act n private as they act in public.... because they will fragment within if they don't. (Mcq.383). It is never desirable or expedient to oppose the conscience. The lack of swift and just punishment today is constantly eroding the first (Vinson). (cf. Eccl. 8:11). 6) Because of the truth expounded in vv. 1-5 we are to pay taxes (G). For the third time, Paul calls government officials the ministers or servants of God. (G) "This very thing" refers to punishing the evildoer and protecting the good. Here again there is a responsibility of the Government. Gibbon said that one of the five major causes of the fall of the Roman Empire was "higher and higher taxes until the load became unbearable, while officials of the empire continued to spend public funds with reckless indifference." 7) Tribute: paid by a subject nation (Mt. 22:15-22. Custom: Tax for support of civil government (Matt. 17:25). Also: pray 1 Tim. 2:1-4.