April 26 Click on verses for Full Scripture

previous - - - - - - - - - - next

Today's Pathway: Romans 13:6-10 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 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. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Paul has concluded his explanation as to why believers ought to obey civil government. Because of this, in verse 6 he states that believers should pay their taxes. No one likes to pay taxes, and many may disagree with how the tax laws are structured, but we are obligated by law and by God to pay them. The government can not function without taxation, and because the "powers that be" are God's ministers (vs 4, 6) the Christian needs to contribute as well. The use of the word "ministers" in verse 6 is compelling. It is not the same word used in verse 4. In verse 4 the word "minister" is a servant, and applies in all walks of life. In verse 6 the word "minister" is a term that refers to a public servant, but it is used in the Scriptures for religious service. Our English word "liturgy" comes from this Greek word. The term was used to describe one who carried out God's will by serving others. It is applied to Christ (Hebrews 8:2), angels (Hebrews 1:7), Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25), Zacharias (Luke 1:23), and Paul himself (Romans 15:16). By using this term Paul re-emphasizes the fact that the government is ordained of God (verse 1), and thus believers should not hesitate to pay taxes to support it.

Paul uses the idea of paying taxes to segue into a new topic. In verse 7 he writes that the believers should always "pay" what is due to others. As seen above, "tribute" refers to taxes. "Custom" also refers to taxes, but this applied more to tolls and tariffs. Paul says that if the financial debt is owed, then the debt is to be paid. Then he moves from financial obligations to other duties. He mentions "fear". According to verse 3 believers who do wrong should fear government. We know that Christians are commanded to fear the Lord. If someone or something is to be feared, then we owe them that fear. Next is honor. "Honor" refers to the worth or value of some object or event. For example, the office of the presidency is worthy of honor, regardless of who holds that position. If honor is due, then it should be given.

In verse 8 Paul says that we should not owe anyone anything. Financial, moral, and deferential obligations should all be paid. However, there is one debt that can never be fully paid. That is our debt of love to others. If I pay my income taxes today, then I do not owe them again for another year. However, I am to love my neighbor (Matthew 22:39), and my brothers in Christ (I Peter 3:8), every moment of every day for the totality of my life. This is a debt that I must pay every day, and yet I will continue to owe it every day. As I pay that debt I fulfill the law. In verse 9 Paul spells that out for us. If I love my neighbor I won't kill him or steal from him or lie about him or have an affair with his wife. I would not want him to do those things to me, so when I don't do them to him I am loving him as I love myself. If a man honestly seeks to fulfill his debt of love, he will automatically keep all the commandments. A Christian doesn't need to be told not to steal from his neighbor if he loves his neighbor. I have used the following illustration numerous times in preaching. Why don't I beat my wife? Is it because the law forbids it? Is it because I don't want to be arrested? Those things have nothing to do with it. I don't beat my wife because I love her. Love is the fulfilling of the law, and those who love properly don't need the law to tell them how to treat others.

What governs your relationship with others? Is it law, or love?