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NASB | Romans 13:1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God. [Prov 8:15] |
Subject: Did American Revolution violate Rom 13:1 |
Bible Note: Thanks for asking. In brief summary, I started this discussion by asking whether persons such as Sam Adams violated Romans 13:1 by inciting the American Revolution against British rule. After all, the Romans were far more oppressive than the British, yet Paul was inspired to give this counsel. However, I have now generalized the subject, partly in response to various comments and partly due to my own desire to show the the importance of knowing when to obey the governments and when to refuse. One Forum participant wrote: "Remember the original issue for the colonists. It was freedom of worship. The European governments were oppressive in other ways as well, but the core issue was the right to worship our Lord Jesus Christ as His Word told them to, not according to the whims of the monarchy, or whatever factions were maneuvering for power. Perhaps God led a few good men to seek liberty, and perhaps some, for their own reasons, joined in." The apostle Paul and all first-century Christians lived under a government that made it difficult to openly worship. Paul used the courts to attempt to advance true worship. He was imprisoned and eventually killed (according to tradition), but he never advocated a revolution. Rather he encouraged full allegiance to God and his anointed king, Jesus, and obedience to the government as long as they did not ask them to violate God's laws. The principle is that simple, but the difficulty is trying to carry this out in Satan's nationally divisive world with our imperfect flesh. I believe "God lead" him to do these things, and thus, could not have "lead" the colonists to violate these same inspired words. Paul admonished the Ephesians: "Find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather exposes them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret." (Eph 5:10-12) May we all continue to earnestly seek God's refinement. Hope that made sense. Wilma |