Romans 13:1 Government - For The Glory of Jesus

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Government

Many of us do not like our government. But the Bible tells us to submit to the government. Those who govern are placed there by God.

This is a Bible Study. Have your own Bible handy to look up the references mentioned.

If you do not have a Bible, I invite you to go to BibleGateway.com or another online Bible.

Romans 13

“The Lord Jesus made it very clear that we have a responsibility to human government.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV. [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983], 734)

1. “We are to submit ourselves to governmental authorities for the very simple reason that they are ordained of God.” (McGee, 735)

“History is the monotonous account of how a government flourished for a time in pomp and pride and then was brought to ruin and ruble. Why? Because corruption and lawlessness became rampant. As it did, God brought the government to an end.” (McGee, 735)

2. “Since all government is God-ordained, disobedience is rebellion against God. judgment [NKJV]. Not God’s judgment, but punishment from the government for breaking the law. (MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary. [Nashville, Thomas Nelson Inc., 2005], 1548)

3. “Those who rule pose no threat to those whose lives are marked with good deeds. It is the one who does evil who fears authority.” (Mounce, Robert H, The New American Commentary, Volume 27, Romans. [Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995], 244)

4. “God has given the sword to rulers, and with it the authority to punish and even to execute. Even though we cannot always respect the man in office, we must respect the office, for government was ordained by God.” Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament Volume 1 Matthew-Galatians. [Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004], 556)

Conscience

5. “To disobey the laws of the land, except where they contravene the express will of God, is to violate the purpose of God himself. Obedience to civil law is necessary not only for fear of punishment but also for the sake of conscience.” (Mounce, 244)

6. “Part of what it means to submit to the authorities is to pay taxes. Believers are to carry out this particular civil obligation because those who levy taxes are servants of God.” (Mounce, 245)

7. “God demands that we show sincere respect and an attitude of genuine high esteem for all public officials.” (MacArthur, 1549)

8. “‘Love one another’ is the basic principle of the Christians life. It is the ‘new commandment’ that Christ gave to us (John 13:34).” (Wiersbe, 557)

“The Christian is to allow no debt to remain outstanding except the one that can never be paid off— ‘the debt to love one another. The obligation to love has no limit. We are to love not only those of the family of God but our ‘fellowman’ as well.” (Mounce, 245)

9. “The Commandments (cf. Exodus 20:13-17; note the order—seventh, sixth, eighth, tenth) against adultery, murder, theft, covetousness—and ‘whatever other commandments there may be’—are all summed up in the second great commandment (Matthew 22:37-40, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ (cf. Galatians 5:14; Leviticus 19:18).” (Mounce, 246)

10. “If we treat others with the same care that we have for ourselves, we will not violate any of God’s Laws regarding interpersonal relationships (Matthew 7:12; James 2:8).” (MacArthur, 1549)

Christ

11. “The emphasis is on the imminent return of Christ. As His servants, we want to be found faithful when He returns. The completion of our salvation is near! The light is dawning! Therefore, be ready!” (Wiersbe, 557)

12. Night [NKJV]. “This refers to man’s depravity and Satan’s dominion (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5). Day [NKJV]. This refers to Christ’s return and reign.” (MacArthur, 1550)

“The Christian wears the armor of light, not the deeds of darkness. He has no reason to get involved in the sinful pleasures of the world.” (Wiersbe, 557)

13. “By living a life pleasing to God, manifesting with outward behavior the inner reality of a redeemed life (cf. 6:4; 8:4; Luke 1:6; Galatians 5:16, 25; Ephesians 2:10; 4:1, 17; 5, 15; Philippians 1:27; 3:16-17; Colossians 1:10; 2:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 4:1, 12; 1 Peter 2:12; 1 John 2:6; 2 John 4,6).” (MacArthur, 1550)

14. “To ‘put on’ the Lord Jesus Christ means to become more like Him, to receive by faith all that He is for our daily living.” (Wiersbe, 557)

“If we feed the flesh, we will fail, but if we feed the inner man the nourishing things of the Spirit, we will succeed.” (Wiersbe, 557)

“A Christian citizen ought to be the best citizen. Christians may not always agree on politics or parties, but they can agree on their attitude toward human government.” (Wiersbe, 557)

References

In this article Scripture quotations taken from KJV.

McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Nashville, Thomas Nelson Inc., 2005
Mounce, Robert H, The New American Commentary, Volume 27, Romans. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995
Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament Volume 1 Matthew-Galatians. Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004

Gifts Judge

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