Romans from a Torah Covenant Perspective – Chapter 13 Part 1

The first seven verses of Romans Chapter 13 have been some of the most misused and abused verses by clergymen and governments alike – the false teaching of total submission to all government authority. So first off lets tackle the false idea of total submission to government authority;  this has lead to the loss of more Christian/believers dominion/territory in the religio-polictical landscape than any other false doctrine of man.…….(explain). Matthew 15:7 Hypocrites! Rightly did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying, ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.:9  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” The ethics of First Century Roman taxation are likely the context (vs 6-7), and a prior incident that had erupted in ancient Rome is probably guiding Paul’s instruction here. The Roman believers had been swayed by their fellow citizens to a resistance to paying taxes to an increasingly predatory Roman government – more legislation, less freedom – all done in the name of ‘peace and freedom.’ In Nero’s early years, he considered abolishing indirect taxes as opposed to direct tax paid as tribute by a conquered nation. Some scholars believe that it’s not actually the Roman government that’s in view here, but instead submission of the non Jewish, Greek and Roman believers to Jewish religious authority. Judeo-Christianity is a rotting limb from the Talmudic tree that infiltrated Christianity during the 20th century;  and has produced the fruit of todays religio-politics; which has in turn; resulted in the blind wonderment to everything Israel, and the resulting unquestioning adherence to a growing tide of governmental rule funded from this Talmudic tree. Over the next few weeks we’re going to look in depth into Romans 13 and investigate the Scriptural validity to “total submission to government”, we’re going to investigate the Scriptural validity into the “Patriot Movement” – or “Constitutionalist’s Movement”, we’re going to find out how יהוה has called us to interact and react with our host nations governing powers. Romans 13:1 Let every person submit himself to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from יהוה, and those that exist are put in place by יהוה Romans 13:2  So whoever opposes the authority has resisted YHWH’s direction, and those who have resisted will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 13:3  For leaders cause no fear for good behavior, but for bad. Now if you do not want to fear the authority, do what is good and you will get his approval— Romans 13:4  for he is YHWH’s servant to you for your good. But if you do evil, be afraid—for he does not carry the sword for no reason; for he is YHWH’s servant, an avenger who inflicts punishment on the evildoer Romans 13:5  Therefore it is necessary to be in submission—not only because of punishment but also because of conscience. Romans 13:6  For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are YHWH’ servants, attending diligently to this very thing. Romans 13:7  Pay to everyone what is due them—tribute to whom tribute is due; tax to whom tax is due; respect to whom respect is due; honor to whom honor is due. Fulfilling the Law Through Love. Vs. 1-7 the Judeo-Christian interpretation: יהוה has established the governing authorities therefore it’s our duty and honor to submit to them in decree and judgement at any given time. Now we know from the backdrop of the Tanakh that on the whole the governments of the world have been established by יהוה at least in some function: Isaiah 45:1 Thus says יהוה to Cyrus, His anointed, whom I have taken by the right hand, to subdue nations before him and to loose the loins of kings, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut.  Proverbs 8:15 By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice, By me princes rule, and nobles, all who judge rightly.  John 19:11 Yeshua said, “ You would have no authority over me, unless it had been given you from above.”