Submitting to Ordinances
Submitting to Ordinances, As Free
Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powersG1849. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Rom 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:
Rom 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.
Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Rom 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Rom 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.
Power G1849
εξουσιìα
exousia
ex-oo-see'-ah
From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: - authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
There are those who would suggest replacing the word, “power” with the word, “freedom”. After all, the word means Privilege, Freedom.
Replacing the word “power” with “freedom” would make sense, and it would fit with the Gospel. Indeed, the freedom of the Gospel, which is for every soul, is a higher freedom. Indeed, there is no freedom but of God, and the freedoms that be are ordained of God. Surely, if one were to resist anything at all that is ordained by God, one would be resisting what God has ordained, and would receive damnation.
But we run into difficulty in verse 3 where there is the ruler who bears the sword against evil for the good of the people. It appears that the one who is privileged is the ruler. Our liberty could be construed as evil if we step too far out of line with the power of the ruler, so we need to be subject. How far would we get if we decided we were not subject to the speed limit? We should obey not only for avoiding a ticket, but also for good conscience toward God.
In I Peter 2, there is the same kind of language as Rom 13 in the KJV, but all the words are translated the same as the lexicon suggests. It does indeed mean to submit to the ordinances of man, but right there in the middle of it is that word “free”.
Free G1658
ελευìθερος
eleutheros
el-yoo'-ther-os
Probably from the alternate of G2064; unrestrained (to go at pleasure), that is, (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (generally) exempt (from obligation or liability): - free (man, woman), at liberty. (Strong’s Lexicon)
1Pe 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1Pe 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
1Pe 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
1Pe 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Paul explains being subject, as free:
1 Co 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
1Co 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1Co 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1Co 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1Co 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
This is what to do, being in the world, but not of the world.
Mat 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
Mat 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Mat 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
Mat 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
There is the element of the children of God being subject to the world's government: so as not to offend them. But, the church should be governed by Love, not by the world's governments.
Php 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Php 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
So, let’s not be rebelling against the government. Let’s go through the proper channels to change things, and we will have praise of the government, and of the people. It’s all about winning souls, and not repelling them.
In the Name of Yahoshua HaMashiach, and in His Love,
Wesley Speck
