What is the meaning of the word subject? Why should we become subjects to the authorities?
The word subject or subjection is when a group or individual submits to the power and the control of a government or ruling person.
Romans 13:1… Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God.
We should become subjects because the existing authorities are allowed to be in the position they have by God. This is a simple fact that no one can change. What if we do not like the authority? What if we feel like there needs to be a change? We may feel that the authority is even wicked, does that change anything? These are all good questions. Let us read God’s word and find out if it matters.
Romans 13:2… Therefore, he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement (G1296) of God; those who have taken a stand against it will receive judgment (G2917) to themselves.
This word arrangement according to Strong’s concordance G1296 diatage, can be translated as ordaining or ordinance. The Greek word for judgment G2917 could be translated as judgment, or verdict, as in a case of a lawsuit.
The Apostle Paul was saying that if we take action against the one who God has allowed to be appointed, you will have to go through a type of lawsuit and possibly receive an adverse judgment.
God will not allow us to oppose a wicked authority. So, how can we bring about a change of who has authority over us?
Romans 13:3-5… For those ruling are an object of fear, not to the good deed, but to the bad. Do you, then, want to have no fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it; for it is God’s minister (G1249) to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear: for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword; for it is God’s minister, an avenger to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad. There is therefore compelling reason for YOU people to be in subjection, not only on account of that wrath but also on account of [YOUR] conscience.
Yes, it is possible to stand up against the authority, but only by acting good! The one who is in authority is God’s servant to express wrath for those who are acting bad. Note that the Apostle Paul said we should want to be in subjection because of our conscience. Why? Because we do not want to be found standing against God, that would be foolish. Knowing that all who resist or stand against God will receive a judgment or a verdict of being guilty and deserving of death.
Are there some other scriptures that we can use to help balance out how we feel or think about this subject? Yes, our Lord Jesus Christ had something to say about the governing authority. He stated very simply a rule or concept that we should be able to easily follow, helping us to get the point.
Matthew 22:17-21… Tell us, therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay head tax to Caesar or not?” But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said: “Why do YOU put me to the test, hypocrites? Show me the head tax coin.” They brought him a denarius. And he said to them: “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said: “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them: “Pay back, therefore, Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.”
So, how would we pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar?
Romans 13:3-5… For that is why YOU are also paying taxes; for they are God’s public servants constantly serving this very purpose. Render to all their dues, to him who [calls for] the tax, the tax; to him who [calls for] the tribute, the tribute; to him who [calls for] fear, such fear; to him who [calls for] honor, such honor.
So, how would we pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar? By paying our taxes, by being in subjection to the laws that they set, giving them due honor.
How would we pay back God’s things to God?
Exodus 20:5-6… You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons, upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation, in the case of those who hate me; but exercising loving-kindness toward the thousandth generation in the case of those who love me and keep my commandments.
How do we pay back God’s things to God? God has requirements for us that he wants us to keep. Those of the festivals and the keeping his laws come to mind, as we are living our lives for him and with him. God is also very clear on this matter, of devotion or worship. It all belongs to him.
We also have a very good example of three men who resisted the prevailing authority and temptation to worship something else even in the face of death.
Please read all of Daniel chapter 3.
Daniel 3:17-18… If it is to be, our God whom we are serving is able to rescue us. Out of the burning fiery furnace and out of your hand, O king, he will rescue [us]. But if not, let it become known to you, O king, that your gods are not the ones we are serving, and the image of gold that you have set up we will not worship.”
We also have another example of Jesus’ disciples not being obedient to the governing authority, and then they gave the answer as to why.
Acts 5:29-32… “We positively ordered YOU not to keep teaching upon the basis of this name, and yet, look! YOU have filled Jerusalem with YOUR teaching, and YOU are determined to bring the blood of this man upon us.” 29 In answer Peter and the [other] Apostles said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men. 30 The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, whom YOU slew, hanging him upon a stake. 31 God exalted this one as Chief Agent and Savior to his right hand, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these matters, and so is the holy spirit, which God has given to those obeying him as ruler.”
What if you lose your life in the face of resisting the wicked authority?
Our God will give loving-kindness to those who will show a love for him. Those Apostles identified that God would give Holy Spirit to those obeying him as ruler.
I like the attitude or mindset that the Apostle Paul showed. Let us read about that.
Philippians 3:7-11… Yet what things were gains to me, these I have considered loss on account of the Christ. 8 Why, for that matter, I do indeed also consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. On account of him I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in union with him, having, not my own righteousness, which results from law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that issues from God on the basis of faith, 10 so as to know him and the power of his resurrection and a sharing in his sufferings, submitting myself to a death like his, 11 [to see] if I may by any means attain to the earlier resurrection (G386) from the dead.
The Greek word that is rendered resurrection according to Strong’s concordance G386 Anastasis, it means to stand up again.
The Apostle Paul knew and believed that no matter what happened to him that he would be able to be raised up again by the Lord Jesus Christ.
We all do well to remember there is a reward to be paid to those who will do what is good and right before God. But there is a judgment to be paid to the wrongdoer and the resistor of the prevailing authority because God’s Wrath is coming.
Writingwithlogos.com – Last Updated 11/27/22