Systematic Theology of Romans

Romans 13.1-14

DIDASKALOS MINISTRIES

DM115.18

INTRODUCTION TO THIS STUDY

The purpose of this work is to guide you in Spirit Filled interpretation of the Book of Romans. As necessary we will provide outlines, historical backgrounds, note the purpose and focus of the text, and also provide the original Greek language definitions for the key words in the highlighted text. The English translation used is the King James (Authorized) Version, not because it is the best translation available, but because I just plain prefer it for study!

All Scripture text will be presented in normal cased lettering, and all notes within the text will be in TRUE TYPE FONT, as shown. This (I hope) will allow you to avoid confusion between God's Word and my notes. As I update this web site, I will continue to embellish the text so that anyone using NETSCAPE 3.0 or MICROSOFT 3.0 will be able to read the document easier. Greek tenses are abbreviated as follows:

GREEK TENSES:

PR= Present Tense: Shows action in present time. When used with Active Voice, and Indicative Mood, often shows linear or continuing action.
AO= Aorist Tense : Simple, undefined action. The time of the action is undefined, except in the indicative mood.
FUT= Future Tense : Shows action of the verb as defined in the future.
PER= Perfect Tense: The action was completed in the past, but has lasting and continuing results into the future.
IMP= Imperfect Tense: Used only in the indicative mood, and refers to continuous or linear action in past time. As in "I was having".
PLPF= Pluperfect Tense: The action was completed in the past, with continuing results in the past.

GREEK CASES:

GEN= Genitive Case: Usually indicates possession, though it can denote source of the action.
INST = Instrumental Case: Usually denotes action on the object of the verb.
DAT= Dative Case
NOM= Nominative Case
ACC= Accusative

PL= Plural
SG= Singular

GREEK VOICES:

AC= Active Voice: Action was completed by the subject of the verb.
PAS= Passive Voice: The subject receives the action of the verb.
MID= Middle Voice: The subject acts in some way upon itself or to itself.

GREEK MOODS:

IND= Indicative Mood : Makes an assertion of fact, and is used with all Greek tenses. Example: they will go, she saw.
OPT= Optative Mood: Rarely used, it usually expresses a wish or desire.
IMP= Imperative Mood: A command to do something.
SUBJ= Subjective Mood: Makes an assertion about which there is some doubt, uncertainty, or indefiniteness.

OTHER ABBREVIATIONS:

PART= Participle : A verbal adjective, such as "having gone, receiving the gift".
ABL= Ablative of source: When something is out of something. Example, The Spirit out of God.
INF= Infinitive: A verbal noun, examples = to see, to go, to throw.

If you discover obvious errors (as I am human, and do make mistakes), please let me know. Do not contact me to argue about the doctrinal differences that you may have with my teaching. I do not argue Theology with anyone, so all Legalists, cultists, and others with extremist views, please save your (and my) time. If you want to discuss your doctrinal differences, or share a viewpoint, please contact me at Didaskalos Ministries. I am not so arrogant as to think I know it all, or even 1% of what the scripture teaches.

Through Christ, Who taught us the way to Love: David Buffaloe, Didaskalos Ministries

Romans 13:1 "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. "

In the first part of chapter twelve Paul considered the Body of Christ, and our responsibilities as believers to that Body. In the last part of the same chapter we discussed several facets of retribution: either in judgment, reward, or punishment. In chapter thirteen Paul begins a discourse on how the Christian should treat his government, the powers that be.

In the first verse Paul notes that the Christian is to be subject unto the government, because all governments are set up or put down by our sovereign God. Many in the flesh feel that we elect our rulers, that God does not come into the picture. Though it is true that we elect our rulers, it is God who allows their election. Be subject unto is the Greek HUPOTASSO, which means "to habitually place yourself under the orders of". We see that the subjection we are to express is not just when the orders suit us, but we are to be subject to our rulers habitually in all things. To be in submission to the government means, in particular, to be in submission to all it's laws:

Titus 3:1 "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work "

1 Peter 2:13-17 "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 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. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. "

The Scripture makes it clear that we are to obey our government and it's representatives, wherever they are located. We are to obey it's Laws, from the simplest speeding laws to the more complex criminal codes. Some sects believe that, since we are Children of God, we are not subject to the laws of our government. Some sects avoid military service, jury duty, and so on, based on this erroneous belief. Scripturally all governments function under the allowance of God:

Proverbs 8:15-16 "By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. "

Daniel 2:20-21 "Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: "

Daniel 4:17 "This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. "

There are many Scriptures in the Bible that emphasize God rules the earth through the national and local governments. God removeth kings, and setteth up kings. God in His Sovereign Power controls who ultimately rules the nation. If God establishes governments and laws, or allows them to be established, if we disobey these laws then we disobey God. You might well ask, "What about abortion, prayer in schools, and all the disagreeable laws on the books today?" If you do not agree with a law then pray abut it, ask God to intercede, and VOTE. But do not stand outside of an abortion clinic and kill people in the name of God. This is evil, totally against God's will. Do not attack the government by planting bombs in the mail, or by bombing embassies. This is totally against the Will of God. PRAY and VOTE!

Romans 13:2 "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. "

Damnation is the Greek KRIMA, which means "judgment" This verse is not teaching that the Christian who disobeys the law is going to hell. It is teaching that any man who stands against God's ordinance will come into judgment or punishment, either from God or from the law that he broke. In chapter twelve we discussed the judgmental nature of God, noting in particular that, if judgment or vengeance is given on earth for a particular infraction or offense, then God will not punish for this same offense again. Though we were studying this principle in the light of humility and vengeance, it's application carries through in this context. If we align ourselves against the laws of the earth, and are punished for that error, then God will not judge again for punishment. There is no double jeopardy in the judgment of God. It is complete and pure, taking into account that which was previously judged and will not render judgment again. On the other hand, if we break the governmental law, standing against God's representative, and are not caught and punished by that representative, then we should expect to be judged later by the Author of the government.

Romans 13:3-4 "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. "

The government in this text is called the minister of God , because the government was established and caused by God. I think it's interesting that the term minister is the Greek DIAKONOS, which is where we get our word "Deacon". As with the Deacon in the church, the Deacon of the government is the 'servant' of God, keeping order in the midst of this totally depraved world. Even though the word "Deacon" is used of both the Church servant and the Government servant, we should be careful not to confuse the two, or to feel that both have the same attributes. The Deacon of the Government passes judgment (based upon violation of established law), has the authority to punish violations or crimes, and governs. None of these attributes are true of the Church Deacon; and no where in Scripture is it taught or implied that the Church Deacon governs the Church.

Another interesting point about this text is that the government is said to beareth not the sword in vain. To say that one beareth the sword in Greek culture was to say that the individual or institution had the authority to enact punishment against crime; even up to the point of capital punishment, that is, taking life for life. The Lexis Talionis as the modus operandi of punishment for crime was never removed with the coming of Christ. Capital punishment is still a valid consideration in criminal justice even today. In our society we have begun to equate punishment for crime with rehabilitation, yet God's Word never speaks of rehabilitation but of restitution. God gave government a wide range of power in punishing crime in order to stop future acts by criminals, not to rehabilitate the criminal. The government has the God given right to enact the greatest of punishments, death, or the least of punishments, a fine, on all who disobey it's established laws. Rehabilitation is not a factor in punishment, insofar as Scripture is concerned.

Scriptural support of Capital Punishment is extensive, contrary to many new sociological ideas of rehabilitation of the criminal mind. Most of the references in Scripture to Capital Punishment are in the Old Testament: not because the New Testament does not support this viewpoint, but because the major impact of the New Testament was the Atonement of Christ.

You don't believe the Bible supports Capital Punishment? Take a look at just a few of these Scriptural texts:

Murder Genesis 9:5-6 "And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. "
Numbers 35:16-21 "And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him. "
Deuteronomy 17:6-7 "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you. "

Adultery Leviticus 20:10 "And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. "
Deuteronomy 22:24 "Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you. "

Incest Leviticus 20:11-14 "And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them. If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you. "

Bestiality Exodus 22:19 "Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death."
Leviticus 20:15-16 "And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast. And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. "

Sodomy Leviticus 18:22 "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. "
Leviticus 20:13 "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. "

"Free Sex" (Fornication) Deuteronomy 22:21-24 "Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you. If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel. If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you."

Rape of a Betrothed Virgin Deuteronomy 22:25-27 "But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die: But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter: For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her. "

Perjury Zechariah 5:4 "I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. "

Kidnapping Exodus 21:16 "And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death. "
Deuteronomy 24:7 "If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you. "

Witchcraft Exodus 22:18 "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. "

Human Sacrifice Leviticus 20:2-5 "Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones. And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name. And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not: Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people. "

Striking or Cursing Parents Exodus 21:15-17 "And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death. And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death. And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death. "

Disobeying Parents Deuteronomy 21:18-21 "If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear. "

Theft With False Witness Zechariah 5:3-4 "Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. "

Blaspheme Leviticus 24:11-16 "And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.

False Prophecy, False Doctrine Deuteronomy 13:1-10 "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage."

Worshipping False Gods Exodus 22:20 "He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed. "

Contempt Of Court Deuteronomy 17:12-13 "And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel. And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously. "

Treason 1 Kings 2:25-26 "And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died. And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted. "

Causing Sedition, Riots Acts 5:36-39 "For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. "

This list is not exhaustive, but is offered to show a few of the sins that God punished by death. This list is general, and certainly does not show every verse in Scripture dealing with Capital Punishment. God instituted the Lexis Talionis as the true mode of Capital Punishment, and within that mode or method death was required for certain offenses against the national Law of Israel. There was to be no restitution or appeal for the guilty party, but guilt, if proven, was cause for immediate punishment. The minister of God, that is, the governing body of Israel carried out all executions, as provided in Scripture.

In Romans 12.9 and following we studied the Christian principle against vengeance. We were told to give place unto wrath , where wrath (ORGE), referred to anger which found it's way to physical retribution or vengeance. Staying within context we see that the minister of God, the government, is a revenger to execute wrath (ORGE) against the criminal element in society. As the minister of God (the government) executes wrath on criminals, then it is as if God Himself avenged the wrong action. Returning to context in 12.19, we see that "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord" is true two ways for the Christian: If the Christian is offended by criminal and the criminal violates governmental law, then the law will punish that offense. Since the law is a minister of God, God, through the law, has taken vengeance for us. If the Christian is offended by the evil doer in such a way that did not conflict with the established laws, then God will repay that offense directly at the final judgment.

Matthew 18:6-7 "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! "

Mark 9:42 "And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. "

Luke 17:1-3 "Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. "

We have a promise from God that if the Christian is offended by the evil doer, the evil doer will be punished. We do not need to take the law into our own hands, for to do so is to take vengeance from the hands of God. God will punish sin, either through immediate action (such as through the government and the law), or through later action (such as at the Great White Throne Judgment).

Romans 13:5-7 "Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 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."

In the first part of this text Paul tells us that the Christian should subject himself to the state for two reasons: (1) for wrath :that is, we can expect the same ORGE worked on the evil doers as well as on ourselves if we become evil doers and, (2) conscience : since the government is a minister of God, we know this in our conscience. To avoid a burning or guilty conscience we subject ourselves to the minister of the government.

Not only is the Christian to the subject to the government and the law, but he is also to be subject in tribute, custom, fear, and honor.
.

".. tribute to whom tribute is due .." .
Tribute is the Greek PHOROS, meaning "that which is brought, taxes". The Christian is not to be lazy in paying his taxes to the government, knowing that without these taxes the minister of God could not function. Failing to pay taxes to the government causes the same end result as disobeying the government. The government is a God ordained institution running only when tribute is brought into its coffers.

Matthew 22:20-21 "And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. "

Mark 12:14-17 "And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. "

The Pharisees came to Christ trying to entrap Him in a new canny way. They asked Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? By lawful the Pharisees referred to the Mosaic Code of Law, that is, "Does God's Law teach that we should or should not give to the government?" Jesus as God incarnate understood that the government was a minister of God that needed the support of the people to operate. He told the Pharisees, as He tells us today, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. The Christian is under Divine command to bring taxes to the God ordained institution we call "government".
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".. custom to whom custom .." .
Custom is TELOS, meaning "an indirect tax on goods". The tax gained by custom is levied on goods carried from a country of origin into another country by that receiving country. The customs that the United States annually levies on imported goods is around 450 million dollars. This greatly aids the operation of our country. The Christian is to pay this custom as well as the tariff willingly, as unto God.
. ".. fear to whom fear .." .
Fear is the Greek PHOBOS, meaning "alarm or fright, religious terror". The same word is used in the following contexts:

2 Corinthians 7:1 "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. "

Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. "

We can say, by comparing Scripture with Scripture, that we should fear the government in much the same way as we fear God. Why? This goes back to the representative question. As the government is a representative of God, it is, in fact, supposed to have the same respect that we give to our Lord. If you are a member of the Board of Directors, and cannot be present for that board, then you designate a proxy to fill your vacancy. The proxy has the right to vote on all questions in your absence just as if you are there. The government is, by God's will, the proxy of God. The government exists to exact retribution and justice in human society in the place of direct Divine intervention.
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".. honour to whom honour .." .
Honour, TIME, translates as "value esteemed of the highest degree". As God's ruling national Deacon, the government should be esteemed and viewed with dignity, not considered as something "just to put up with". We should honor the government because it was established by God.

Romans 13:8-10 "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. "

Alford (Alford's Greek New Testament) says of verse 8: "Pay all other debts; be indebted in the matter of love alone. This debt increases the more, the more it is paid, because the practice of love makes the principal of love deeper and more active".

The Mosaic Law found in Exodus 20 gives the following Commandments:

Exodus 20:3 "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
Exodus 20:4-5 "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous"
Exodus 20:7 "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain."
Exodus 20:8 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. "
Exodus 20:12 "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. "
Exodus 20:13 "Thou shalt not kill."
Exodus 20:14 "Thou shalt not commit adultery. "
Exodus 20:15 "Thou shalt not steal. "
Exodus 20:16 "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."
Exodus 20:17 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. "

When we look at the Ten Commandments we see that the first four Laws had to do with man loving God, and the last six Laws had to do with man loving man. Jesus noted this breakdown of the commandments in his teaching on the Law:

Luke 10:25-27 "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. "

Jesus understood that the basis of the Law was, first, to Love God and, second, Love your neighbor. Paul acknowledged that the very basis of the Law was Love. If we know AGAPE, Love, we will seek to do the highest good toward both God and men. We will not offend God by disobedience. We will serve God and love our neighbors. Through love (AGAPE), we fulfill the law completely, and only through AGAPE do we serve our God.

Romans 13:11-12 "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. "

In this beautiful text Paul encourages the Roman Christians (and us) to awake from our spiritual slumber, as the day of ultimate salvation (the Rapture) is at hand. The word time is the Greek (KAIROS), which refers to "a season, a dispensation, an epoch of time within God's plan of the ages". The Time of the Gentiles, this present dispensation, is nearly over, and even more so today than in Paul's time.

1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. "

The sleep which Paul refers to is a spiritual slumber which we should put off because of two reasons: (1) Because of our heritage (we are children of the day, and not of the night); and (2) Because of our knowledge (we know that this epoch is ending , and the rapture is coming). We are commanded to put off this sleep by putting on the armour of light. This armour of light is illustrated in our parallel Thessalonians passage. We are to put on the breastplate of faith and love: that is, cloak our hearts with love toward both God and men in the knowledge of the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. Turning to our God more each day, we seek to grow in faith and hope, strengthening our spiritual armor in the knowledge of that ultimate salvation which is to come (The Rapture). We also put on the helmet of the hope of salvation, that is, we become more firmly convinced daily in our salvation and in our heritage through Christ Jesus. When we put on this armor we must not walk as the children of darkness, but as the children of light.

Why do Christians willfully sin? Because they have not put on the helmet of the hope of salvation. They are saved, and may not be lost: of this we can be sure. But Christians sin because they have not matured in their faith. Many believers come to the saving knowledge of Christ and yet never study the Word of God (I give you the Corinthian Church as a good example!). Christians who have not become intellectually aware of their heritage through salvation by studying God's Word will never mature as believers. The more entrenched we become in our heritage and in Bible Doctrine, the less we will want to willfully sin, knowing that we are children of the day.

Romans 13:13-14 "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. "

Walk honestly is the Greek PERIPATEO EUSCHEMONOS, which translates "to conduct oneself or order one's behavior in a decent manner". Though we are all sinners, we who are in Christ are in a high station in reality. We are Saints and Priests of the most high God. We are not in darkness, we are the children of the light.

1 Peter 2:9-10 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. "

As the priests of God we should not be involved in rioting, drunkenness, chambering, wantonness, strife, or envying. We see exactly what these undesirable traits are in the Greek:

Rioting: the Greek KOMOS, meaning "to revel, carouse". The word refers to a party made up of half drunken people out of their wits. A wild party or orgy of drunkenness.

Chambering: the Greek KOITE, refers to "illegal or immoral sexual intercourse".

Wantonness: The Greek ASELGEIA means "unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, shamelessness, insolence of life".

Envying: The Greek ZELOS refers to "jealousy, a contentious rivalry".

Paul emphasized these traits because this was characteristic of the Roman Empire in which these Christians lived, just as it is characteristic of our society today. The Romans were fond of great parties and orgies, in their revelry worshipping the false god Bacchus, the god of alcohol. They often carried their orgies into the streets, not content with keeping it inside the walls of privacy. Paul commands us not to be a part of this sinfulness. They, the Romans world and our world today, are children of the darkness. We are children of the light, priests for the most high God, and must act like it.

Make provision is the Greek POIEO PRONOIA, meaning "to allow a place for, to provide a spot for". If we make provision for the flesh, allowing it in our lives, then sin will compound into more and more sin. This teaching is reflected in a:

1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 6-8 "It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.... Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. "

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump is true of both the Church as well as the individual Christian. If we allow sin to get a foothold in our lives, this little leaven will ultimately take over our bodies. If we allow a little sin to enter the camp, then we will allow that evil leaven to spread until the whole local Church is caught up in sin. The first line of defense is to keep sin out of our lives and therefore out of the Church. The second line of defense is to excommunicate or censure those in the local Church who refuse Godly living. If you don't believe this principle then read the full context of 1 Corinthians 5. If you read it with an open mind and heart, God will convict you that there are times we have to censure those who bring sin in among the Saints.

We're going to take a break, and resume this study in Chapter Fourteen. God Bless!
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Murder	Genesis 9:5-6 "And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. " Numbers 35:16-21 "And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him. " Deuteronomy 17:6-7 "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you. "
Adultery	Leviticus 20:10 "And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. " Deuteronomy 22:24 "Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you. "
Incest	Leviticus 20:11-14 "And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them. If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you. "
Bestiality	Exodus 22:19 "Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death." Leviticus 20:15-16 "And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast. And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. "
Sodomy	Leviticus 18:22 "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. " Leviticus 20:13 "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. "
"Free Sex" (Fornication)	Deuteronomy 22:21-24 "Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you. If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel. If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you."
Rape of a Betrothed Virgin	Deuteronomy 22:25-27 "But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die: But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter: For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her. "
Perjury	Zechariah 5:4 "I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. "
Kidnapping	Exodus 21:16 "And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death. " Deuteronomy 24:7 "If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you. "
Witchcraft	Exodus 22:18 "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. "
Human Sacrifice	Leviticus 20:2-5 "Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones. And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name. And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not: Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people. "
Striking or Cursing Parents	Exodus 21:15-17 "And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death. And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death. And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death. "
Disobeying Parents	Deuteronomy 21:18-21 "If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear. "
Theft With False Witness	Zechariah 5:3-4 "Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. "
Blaspheme	Leviticus 24:11-16 "And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.
False Prophecy, False Doctrine	Deuteronomy 13:1-10 "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage."
Worshipping False Gods	Exodus 22:20 "He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed. "
Contempt Of Court	Deuteronomy 17:12-13 "And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel. And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously. "
Treason	1 Kings 2:25-26 "And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died. And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted. "
Causing Sedition, Riots	Acts 5:36-39 "For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. "