SAB, Romans 13

Romans
Introduction

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16

Contradictions

Injustice

Good Stuff

Absurdities

Intolerance

Prophecy

Interpretation

Language

Women

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Romans 13	(13:1-4) Whoever resists "the powers that be" will be damned. Should we obey human or divine law? (13:1) "For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." (13:2) "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." (13:3) "Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil." (13:4) "For he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." (13:6-7) "Pay ye tribute ... Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom ... honour to whom honour." Note to teabaggers: Paul says you should pay your taxes and honor the government. (13:8a) "Owe no man any thing." It is wrong to borrow money." (13:8b-10) Love one another. (13:8b) "Love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." How should nonbelievers be treated? (13:9a) "If there be any other commandment...." Paul tries to list the Ten Commandments, but he only came up with five (the good secular humanist ones). Oh well, Jesus couldn’t list them all either. (Mt 19:17-19) (13:9b) "Love thy neighbour as thyself." How should nonbelievers be treated? (13:10) "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (13:11-12) The end of the world was coming soon. (13:11) "Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." (13:12) "The night is far spent, the day is at hand." (13:13) "Let us walk honestly ... not in rioting and drunkenness." Is it OK to drink alcohol?
13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

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On Authority

Dwindling in Unbelief: The Christopher Hitchens / Douglas Wilson debate (Romans 13:1-7); The Ten Commandments: Paul coulnd't name them all either (13:9)