April 25 Click on verses for Full Scripture

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Today's Pathway: Romans 13:3-5 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: 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. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Yesterday Paul gave two reasons why believers should not stand against government: when you resist government you resist God, and God punishes those who resist. In verses 3-5 he gives a third reason: we need to be subject "for wrath". Government exists to punish evil. That is why it was instituted in the first place in Genesis 9. The purpose for government is to protect law-abiding citizens and punish law-breakers. The word "terror" is the word for fear. In other words, Paul is saying that if you are doing right you don't need to be afraid of the government, but if you are doing wrong then you do need to be afraid. If you obey the laws the government will commend you, or at least ignore you, but if you do not, according to verse 4, "he beareth not the sword in vain", which means that punishment will follow. So, if a person resists the ordinances of the law he is going to be subject to some form of punishment. If you speed, you will get a ticket and a fine. If you rob someone, or assault someone, you will go to jail. The driver who is obeying the speed limit doesn't need to fear when he passes a police car along the side of the road. The innocent person doesn't need to run when the police knock on his door or pull his car over. However, the guilty have a reason to be afraid because they face the "wrath" of the government. Sometimes government does the wrong thing, for the "powers that be" are human. However, the judicial system, though imperfect, is the "minister of God". It exists as God's servant to punish those on earth who do wrong.

In verse 6 Paul adds a fourth reason: we should also obey for "conscience sake". Conscience has been defined as "the soul distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter." We are to not resist the government because God has told us not to, and to do so would be a sin against Him. Steven Cole wrote,

"Paul means that we should be subject to our government not only because we fear punishment if we break the law, but also because we fear God, who knows our hearts. This makes keeping the laws of our land not just a matter of outward compliance, but also of inward obedience to God."

Before concluding, it should be mentioned that there is one area where believers do not have to obey the government. That area deals with matters that are found specifically in the Scriptures. Jesus said,

"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

"And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

"Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence...And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."