"1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."
(Copied from http://www.tniv.info/bible/passagesearch.php?passage_request=Romans%2013&tniv=yes - TNIV online.)
This morning, I was presented with part of this passage from Paul, as justification for accepting the size, scope, and graft that have come to represent the American government. To be clear, I don't intend this to be construed as an attack on the current administration per se. Rather, I worry that an accumulation of years of poor stewardship, corruption, and partisanship have left the American experiment on the precipice - if not already over the edge - of irreparable harm. In addition, looking outside our borders, human history has shown numerous examples of governments and rulers who I am unable to comprehend a way in which they could possibly be described as "God's servant for your good". As a result, I am struggling greatly with how to understand and live this passage.
Part of me questions whether the "authority" and "rulers" in question are our government entities at all, but rather the real Authority who has the true power in our lives. This seems a stretch to me, with the interspersal of singular and plural references; also from v6, with its reference to taxes supporting the authorities who "give their full time to governing."
I put this to you, dear reader. What is your view on this? Do you have a particular insight that may shed light? Can you point to related biblical text that adds clarity to the situation? Do you know of historical context that may answer my concerns? Your input is desired and sought.
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V1--5 could be taken literally or figuratively; rulers & laws, such as those of Nature ("and Nature'sGod," to quote of this Nation's own leaders of more idyllic times past). It is with v6 that exception -- an afterthought, for lack of a better term -- seems to be established; government for government's sake. Perhapsthiscsn be discussed in greater detail over a Route 44 some evening?
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