13 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
Tori's Comments:
I don't understand. Some authorities persecute the Christians in them (including Rome at this time, right?), so they aren't just punishing those who do wrong.
Anybody have insight on this?
Terrie's Comments:
This is always a convicting passage for me. Ever since I was small and pushed against those in authority over me at the hospital, I find that it is one of my greatest areas that I need to keep in check. Respecting those in authority when I don't think that what they are doing is right or justifiable is something I have been working on for many years already. It is getting easier.
I really don't have issues with paying taxes or following the laws of our government. We still live in a free country for the most part. I am not sure how I would work this out if I lived in a country where I wasn't allowed to worship God... but I don't think that those laws would be included in this passage. There are examples in scripture of those who refused to stop worshiping God against authority and God protected their lives.
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Please keep all comments respectful. We want to remember that each of us is at a different place in our walk with God. This is a place for us to share openly about what has been revealed to us as we open up Gods word and to learn from others. Please take every opportunity possible to build each other up in love :-)