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 them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
This is general rule about respecting the state and law, nothing else. God does not appoint bloody leaders like Hitler. Look at the verse 3, we are talking about a just ruler not a psycho (Hitler).
Secondly God does punish his people when the disobey, this was the main theme of the O.T where the Jews disobeyed - they were sent into exile and slavery. But I do not think that patters comes into the N.T. No.
Thirdly, the Newest converts from Judaism and were always hostile towards the Romans. They saw the roman empire as an oppressor and there were some rebellions as well, which were crushed as well. What was happening that a small number of Jews were against the Romans and were not afraid of wielding weapons and they never gave tax. On the other hand when such people converted to Christianity, the brought the same ideology with them or at least they tried to. But our way is not the way of the sword. Also such rebels were often caught and punished to death, Paul saw this as an inherent danger to the early church and believers who had nothing to do with such futile rebellions. Remember Christianity was already facing problems with the roman Govt. and that would soon escalate to the madness which Nero brought. So I believe it was in this spirit that he said what he said in Romans 13.
It would be a blessing if they missed the cairns and got lost on the way back. Or if
the Thing on the ice got them tonight.
I could only turn and stare in horror at the chief surgeon.
Death by starvation is a terrible thing, Goodsir, continued Stanley.
And with that we went below to the flame-flickering Darkness of the lower deck
and to a cold almost the equal of the Dante-esque Ninth Circle Arctic Night
without.
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