This is why you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Romans 13:6 NABRE
Paul is giving instruction on Christian living. God grants authority for legitimate government to establish rules and punish criminal behavior. Christians must submit to the civil authorities and civil laws. Good Christians must also be good citizens. The authority of human government is derived from God and therefore Paul tells the reader that the civil authorities are ministers of God, just like a priest or pastor in the ecclesial system. Paul begins by indicating that every person be subordinate to a higher authority. Authority exist in all aspects of life; in secular society, in the church and in families. As followers we must believe that the authority in all aspects of life is delegated by God and thus to follow an authority is to submit to the will of God. Therefore it is necessary to follow the rules of government, including the payment of taxes. Paul sees servants of the civil authorities as servants of God, devoting themselves to doing the work of God. Therefore failure to obey the civil authorities is a failure to obey God and will not only bring civil punishment but the disobedience will be seen as a failure to honor God.
Paul doesn’t outline in this small passage what to do when the civil authority over stretches in their duty, making laws that might contradict God’s code of conduct. But naturally this is a situation that could and does happen. When the civil authority makes rules contrary to God’s message and mission it is the duty of the Christian to resist in a loving and God honoring manner. A Christian should never blindly trust, but always invoke the Word of God and be ready to do the will of God.
Do you pay taxes? Are you a Christian who leads in following the law?
Paul sees servants of the civil authorities as servants of God, devoting themselves to doing the work of God. Therefore failure to obey the civil authorities is a failure to obey God. Share on X#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #authority #obey #Paul #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways