Author: Will

Romans 14:2 – Food or Faith?

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Romans 14:2 – Food or Faith?

For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.

Truth to Learn

Arguing about unimportant things is destructive, not edifying.

Behind the Words

The word “believes” is translated from the verb pisteuō, meaning “to trust, to have faith in, or to believe.”

“Eat” in the first part of this verse is from the Greek verb phagō. Later in the verse the word “eats” appears, which is from the Greek verb esthiō. These two form an interesting word pair. Though they are different words, they both mean “to eat,” literally or figuratively. The selection of which one to use depends strictly on the tense of the verb used. Esthiō is used in the aorist or future tenses, and phagō is used in all other tenses.

“Weak” is from astheneō, which we looked at in the previous verse. The use of the word in this verse identifies specifically who Paul was talking about in the previous verse. Here he uses the word to refer to those who are weak in faith, those who are spiritually immature, not those who are physically weak.

The word translated “vegetables” is lachanon, which is derived from the verb lachainō, meaning “to dig.” Thus, we see that lachanon literally refers to that which has been dug up. Since it is in reference to something eaten, it logically refers to vegetables as opposed to meat.

Meaning Explained

As we said in the previous verse, Paul is addressing the issue of many of the converted Jews in the Christian church in Rome who are still following the eating restrictions as laid down in the Mosaic Law. Some of them believed that Christians were required to follow all of the commandments based on the origin of the Christian faith coming out of the Jewish belief in the Messiah. Others, like Paul, recognized the fact that Christians have been set free from the Law and that we are at liberty to eat all kinds of food without any legal restrictions.

As we combine these two verses, we see that Paul is exhorting the members of the Christian Church at Rome to admit anyone to membership who makes a confession of faith, but not to get into arguments with them about what food is permissible and what isn’t. The point he makes in the current verse is that the more mature Christian recognizes that all foods are permissible, but those who are weak in the faith still think they have to refrain from certain foods.

Let’s not get hung-up, however, on the specific subject matter (what kinds of food can be eaten). Paul is using food as a metonym for any secondary belief within the church that is not foundational doctrine. As we said in the previous verse, understanding and adhering to doctrinal fundamentals of the Christian faith are of critical importance and need to be fully studied and taught. Arguing about other aspects of the Christian faith is a waste of time and effort. Belief in who Jesus is (completely God and completely man at the same time), the offering of His sinless life to pay the penalty for our sins, His resurrection from the dead, our own need to admit our sinful, lost state, and our confession of Christ as our Savior and Lord, these are truths that we must all believe to become Christians.

Application

Arguing about issues of lesser importance in the church doesn’t please God. We need to focus more effort on loving one another and less effort on arguing about unimportant things.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 14:1 – Needless Arguing

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Romans 14:1 – Needless Arguing

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.

Truth to Learn

Infighting should not be a characteristic of a Christian church.

Behind the Words

The word “Receive” is from the Greek word proslambanō, which is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward” and lambanō, meaning “to take.” This we see that this word means “to take to oneself” or “to receive.”

“Weak” is from astheneō, made up of the negative particle a and sthenos, meaning “strength.” The root meaning of astheneō, therefore, is “to be without strength.”

The word “disputes” is from diakrisis. This is made up of dia, meaning “through” or indicating separation and krinō, meaning “to distinguish” or “to judge.” Hence, diakrisis refers to distinguishing or judging through something. By application it means to scrutinize thoughts or beliefs by thorough discussion.

“Doubtful things” is translated from dialogismos, from the verb dialogidzomai, which is made up of dia, meaning “through” and logidzomai, meaning “to reckon or reason.” Thus we see that dialogismos refers to a “thorough reasoning” or a belief that has been established by such reasoning.

Meaning Explained

You will recall that the Christian church at Rome was made up largely of converted Jews. Under the Jewish laws, they were forbidden from eating certain foods, and they were forbidden to work on Saturday (the Jewish Sabbath). As a Christian, however, these legal restrictions had been lifted. But just as Peter had a difficult time accepting Gentiles into the faith before receiving direct revelation from God indicating that it was OK (see Acts chapter 10), so these former Jews found it difficult to accept that Christians did not have to observe the same restrictions that they formerly were bound by.

The issue of what can and can’t be eaten is the issue that Paul is about to address. He starts off by telling the fellowship in Rome that it is good to receive Christians who are weak in the faith. These are people who are genuine converts but who are either new converts or they have not had the privilege of sitting under the teaching of a mature Christian like the apostle Paul. We need to welcome people like this so that they can grow in faith and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, Paul tells the church to accept these people into the congregation but not to do so just to have a theological discussion about what is proper to eat and what is not. Let me point out that Paul is NOT saying that it is improper to have theological discussions, for this is right and even necessary. What he is saying is that it is not right to have arguments about items of minor importance. Disputing has become a significant issue within the body of Christ. So much so, that church splits are more the rule than the exception. Some disputes may be necessary, but most are frivolous and detrimental.

Application

I remember being in a church that spent considerable time in a business meeting arguing about whether or not there should be carpeting in the sanctuary. It became a heated discussion and caused hard feelings among everyone in attendance; it was not edifying and did not serve to build-up the body of Christ. Instead of such trivial arguing, let’s all keep our focus on Him!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 13:14 – Walking Christ-Light

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Romans 13:14 – Walking Christ-Light

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Truth to Learn

Christians need to let the light of Christ shine in their lives.

Behind the Words

The words “put on” in this verse are from the same root word as verse twelve, where we were told to “put on the armor of light.” In verse twelve, however, it was a suggestion where as in this verse the word is in the imperative mood, indicating a command.

“Provision” comes from the Greek word pronoia, which is made up of pro, meaning “before, in time or location” and a form of noeō, meaning “to think or to comprehend.” When used as it is in this verse it means “to think about something and make a plan or provision for it ahead of time.”

The word “lusts” is from epithumia, which is composed of epi, meaning “upon, above, or over,” often used as an intensifier, and a form of thumos, meaning “passion.” Hence, epithumia refers to an overly strong passion or desire.

Meaning Explained

Paul starts off this verse with the command, “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” The verb “put on” when used with regard to clothing is easy for us to understand, but to “put on” a person seems a harsh expression in English. However, this expression was frequently used by Greek writers, meaning to take on the other person’s principles, imitate his example, and become like him. The Apostle John said something similar:

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1John 1:5-7)

If we “put on” Christ, then we are to walk in His light. A genuine Christian will want to walk in this light. Unsaved people, however, want to stay out of God’s light. They prefer to stay in their own world of darkness.

Paul finishes this verse with a very practical key to walking in the light. He says, “and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” We all have those sins of the flesh that tend to cause us to stumble time after time whether they be anger, jealousy, impure thoughts, or others. They all come from the lusts of our flesh.  Paul tells us that we are to emulate Christ in both attitude and action and that we are not to expend any energy thinking about those things that excite and enflame our sinful lusts. If we want to avoid committing sins of lust, we need to stop thinking of such things. In other words, “If you’re not going to buy anything, don’t go into the store.” In fact, Paul would say, “Don’t even think about going into the store!”

Application

Dawn is coming and we need to be living as if the Light of the world has already come. We need to be a light to the dark world around us. We need to act Christ-like so the world can see Him in us. Let’s put on Christ and let His light shine!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 13:13 – Light or Dark?

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Romans 13:13 – Light or Dark?

Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

Truth to Learn

Our words and deeds should show forth the light of Christ.

Behind the Words

The word in the previous verse translated “put on” is enduō, which means “to sink into” or “to put ourselves into.” It is expressed in the middle voice which means that it is something that we must do to ourselves; it is not something that someone else can do for us.

The word “walk” is from peripateō, which literally means “to walk around.” Figuratively, it refers to how a person lives his or her life (walking the road of life).

“Properly” is translated from a form of euschēmōn which is made up of eu, meaning “good or well” and schema, referring to “the external form or condition.” Thus, euschēmōn refers to something that is “well formed” or that has a good external appearance. It is often translated as honorably, decently, or honestly.

“Revelry” is from the Greek word kōmos, referring to conduct involving “feasting, drunkenness, impurity (especially sexual), and gross obscenity.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous two verses Paul told us to wake up and cast-off, or lay-aside, the works of darkness and put on the weapons of our spiritual warfare.

Now, having put on the weapons of our warfare, we should walk properly or honorably, and Paul tells us to do this “as in the day.” A literal translation of this expression would be, “as if in the daytime.” The point he is making is that it is not daylight yet; it is still nighttime and we are surrounded by the works of darkness, but we need to wake up and perform the deeds of righteousness as if we were fully exposed to the world by bright light, knowing that our Lord and His “light” are coming to destroy darkness. That is, we should be behaving as if Christ had already come. The Apostle John recorded a similar message in the following words of our Lord:

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. (John 3:19-21)

Paul now goes on to make a short list of the types of activities that go on in darkness by those who love the darkness. These include partying, drunkenness, lewdness (implying illicit sexual activity), insatiable desire for pleasure, arguing, and jealousy or anger. These are the things that unsaved people do because they don’t have any way of restraining themselves. We, on the other hand, have the Holy Spirit, and we should be beacons in the night showing forth the light of our good deeds as an example of godliness.

Application

Do you yearn for the Light of Life, or do you prefer darkness? Are your words and actions a light to those in darkness around you? Or, do your actions resemble the deeds of darkness?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 13:12 – Prepare for Battle!

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Romans 13:12 – Prepare for Battle!

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

Truth to Learn

Wake up! Prepare for battle! Our Lord is coming soon!

Behind the Words

The words “is far spent” are from the verb prokoptō, which is made up of pro, meaning “before” or “forward” and koptō, which means “to cut, strike, or impel.” Thus, the root meaning of prokoptō is “to drive forward.” Figuratively, with regard to time, it means that it is “advanced, nearly used up, or well along.”

“Is at hand” is translated from the verb engidzō, based on the noun engus (which we saw in the previous verse), meaning “near.” Hence, engidzō means “to come near” or “to approach.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense, which in Greek implies a completed past action with an ongoing effect where the emphasis is on the effect. So, Paul is saying that the day has already drawn near and now is very near.

“Cast off” is from the Greek verb apotithēmi, made up of apo, meaning “away” and tithēmi, meaning “to lay something down.” Thus, apotithēmi means “to lay something aside.”

The word translated “darkness” is skotos, which is based on the word skia, meaning “a shadow” or “shade.” Skotos literally means something shady or something dark.

The word “armor” is hoplon, which refers to “instruments, or tools, or weapons of warfare.”

Meaning Explained

At nighttime we all sleep. While we are asleep, we are unaware of what is going on around us. We are in a dream world where nothing is real. But when we wake up, we see reality and we have to face up to it. Many of us get up before it is daylight. We do so because we know that the daylight is coming. If we were to wait for the daylight before rousing ourselves, we would be late. If we lay in bed when it is time to get up, we often fall back asleep.

This is precisely the picture that Paul is painting for us in the previous verse and the current one. The time of the return of Christ is close at hand. It is almost morning. We need to wake up and get to work. Paul tells us that we are to lay aside all of our works that are shady or those which spring from darkness, (a metonym for sinful).

Instead of doing those things that are wrong, instead of doing things that are even a little bit shady, Paul tells us to “lay them aside and put on the armor of light.” On the surface, this may sound like a defensive posture, but as we saw in “Behind the Words,” this refers to our tools of warfare against the powers of darkness. We are in a constant spiritual battle with our adversary and we need to be on the offensive, spreading the word of truth, the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to be witnessing and we need to be building up and encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Application

In case you don’t realize it, these verses represent God’s alarm clock and it just went off! It’s time to leave our dream world and prepare for the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So, let’s get up, let’s arm ourselves for the spiritual battle ahead, and let’s get to work! Our Lord is coming soon!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 13:11 – Wake Up!

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Romans 13:11 – Wake Up!

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

Truth to Learn

It’s time for all Christians to wake up and get busy for God.

Behind the Words

The word “knowing” is from the Greek word eidō, which refers to perception and is translated as either “to know” or “to see (to understand a truth).”

“Time” appears twice in this verse, but from two different Greek words. The first occurrence of “time” is from kairos. There really is no English equivalent to this word which refers to “a period of opportunity” or “a season.” The second occurrence of “time” is from the Greek word hōra, which refers to “an hour” as a specific period or point in time.

The word “awake” is from egeirō, meaning “to rise up from sleep.” And the word translated “sleep” is a form of hupnos or hypnos, which literally refers to “sleep” but is used here figuratively referring to “spiritual stupor or dullness.”

“Nearer” is from the Greek word enguteron, which is the comparative of engus, meaning “near in position or time.”

Meaning Explained

Paul started off this chapter talking about the necessity of our submission to those who are in authority over us. This, he says, includes the payment of taxes to the taxing authorities and giving honor, paying the proper respect, to all authorities. He then segued into his next point of paying the debt of love to our fellow humans. One of the reasons for us loving our neighbors is the fact that it is what the second table of the Law is all about. It is how God expects us to behave toward others.

Another reason for us to treat those in authority over us with respect and for us to show true love to those around us is the fact that it is high time for us to be doing these things. As a Christian we have the obligation to be a witness to the unsaved by being Christ-like. We need to show forth the qualities that make us different from the rest of the world. When we were unsaved, we were walking around in the same hypnotized stupor as the rest of the world. Now that we have been illuminated by the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, it is time for us to wake up from this sleepiness.

We have the Holy Spirit living in us, who will teach us all things with a spiritual discernment that the unsaved are incapable of. It’s as if we have been injected with a powerful form is spiritual caffeine, and it is now time for us to wake-up and get to work out of gratitude for what He has done.

At the end of this verse Paul refers to our salvation being nearer than when we first believed. Most Christians think of salvation as occurring at the point in time when we first believed God’s message and accepted the blood of Christ as payment for our sins. In God’s record book we are already saved, but the consummation of that salvation will not occur until the return of Christ, when he raptures His church.

Application

The return of Christ could literally be any day now. Time is running out and we need to be busy for Him who bought us. In other words, what Paul is saying is:

Wake up, Christian!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 13:10 – Unselfish Love

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Romans 13:10 – Unselfish Love

Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Truth to Learn

Unselfish love is what God wants from us.

Behind the Words

“Love” is translated from agape, which refers to “good will” or “benevolence.” In other words, it refers to acts of goodness toward someone else.

The Greek word translated “harm” is kakos, meaning “that which is inherently injurious, bad, or evil.”

The word “neighbor” is from the Greek word plēsion. This word is derived from pelas, meaning “near” or “close.” Hence, plēsion refers to someone who is nearby, that is, physically close. However, this word is used generically throughout the New Testament to refer to another member of the human race.

“Fulfillment” is from the noun plērōma, from the verb plēroō, meaning “to make full, to fill up, or to completely satisfy.” Thus, plērōma refers to something that has been filled full, or as we say, fulfilled (completely satisfied).

Meaning Explained

One who truly loves his or her neighbor (fellow man or woman) will avoid all those things spoken of in verse nine. That is, they will not commit adultery, murder, steal, declare false testimony about others, and they will not have uncontrolled desires for things. As noted above, the type of love that is referred to here is agape love. This is not an emotional love like eros (sensual love) or philos (brotherly love). This is a love of the will, love in action, not a love of desire. It is expressed by doing what is best for the object of the love in spite of the personal sacrifice that it may involve. This is the type of love that God the Father showed to us when He offered His only begotten son to die a sinner’s death on the cross so that we might be saved from our sins. This is the type of love that Christ showed to the Father by freely giving Himself to pay for our sins. We owed a debt we couldn’t pay. He paid the debt He didn’t owe. He did it because He loves us!

If we demonstrate this type of love to others, if we consider the good of others a higher goal than our own good and we actually live that way, then we are fulfilling the intent of the Law. This is the type of living that fulfills the righteousness of God. Unfortunately, we sinful humans cannot do this all the time. That’s why we needed someone who could, and did, live this way to offer Himself as payment for our sins, the Righteous One for us unrighteous ones.

But that shouldn’t stop us from trying. We should all be constantly striving to be more Christ-like each and every day of our lives. Remember, we have been bought with a price, the precious blood of the Lamb of God, and we belong to the One who bought us. Therefore, we are obliged to do all that we can to serve Him and to please Him. We obey Him and strive to do His will, not to earn our salvation (which we can’t do), or even to earn His favor (which we can’t do), but because we want to show our Lord our gratitude and submission.

Application

If our good will to others is done to establish or improve our position in God’s eyes (to gain His favor), then it is selfish. If, on the other hand, we are good to others out of gratitude for what God has done for us, then we are acting out of love.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 13:9 – Living The Second Table

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Romans 13:9 – Living The Second Table

For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Truth to Learn

Fully paying our love debt fulfills the second table of the Law.

Behind the Words

“Commit adultery” is from moicheuō, which refers to “sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse.”

The word “murder” is from the Greek word phoneuō, meaning “to intentionally take the life of another person without due process of law.”

“Steal” is from the Greek verb kleptō, which means “to take that which does not rightfully belong to you.” It is the word from which we get our English word kleptomaniac (someone who habitually steals).

“Bear false witness” is translated from pseudomartureō, which is made up of poseudes, meaning “untrue” and martureō, meaning “to give testimony as a witness.”

The word “covet” is translated from epithumeō, meaning “to have an overly strong desire or lust for something.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul told us that we are indebted to each other, a debt that we should always be striving to pay. This debt is a debt of love. He ended the previous verse with, “for he who loves another has fulfilled the Law.” He now proceeds to explain what he means by that expression. You will notice that the five commandments that Paul refers to in this verse correspond to five of the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses. The Ten Commandments are often separated into The First Table (commandments 1 – 4) dealing with our relationship to God and The Second Table (commandments 5-10) dealing with our relationship to others. The commandments that Paul references in the current verse are all from the second table, the commandment to honor our parents having been omitted. These commandments encompass all that is included in our relationship with our fellow man.

Paul’s point is that all of these can be summed up in, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In fact, when Jesus was challenged by one of the scribes to proclaim which is the greatest commandment in the Law, here’s what He said:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Application

If we were constantly paying our debt of love to those around us, then we would be living as God intended all of mankind to live. In doing so we would be fulfilling the second table of the Ten Commandments. Unfortunately, as beings with a sin nature, we are not able to behave this way all the time. However, that should not stop us from trying to do so.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 13:8 – The Love Payment

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Romans 13:8 – The Love Payment

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Truth to Learn

We are to be constantly paying off our love debt.

Behind the Words

The word that is translated “Owe” is the Greek word opheilē, which was translated as “due” in the previous verse. It means “to be indebted to someone else.” In fact, the first part of the previous verse could be translated as “Pay back to everyone what is owed them.”

Meaning Explained

This is one of those verses that is frequently taken out of context and often misapplied. How many times have you heard it said that a Christian should never take out a loan because we are not to be indebted to anyone? I have even heard well-meaning Christians say that we are not to take out a mortgage to purchase a house because we are commanded not to owe anyone anything.

“But,” you may say, “isn’t that what this verse says, “Owe no one anything?” If that was all that there was to this verse I might agree with you. However, that is not an independent clause; rather, it is a dependent clause that needs the next clause to complete its meaning. “Own no one anything, except to love one another.” If this verse were teaching us that we are not to be indebted to anyone, then the previous verse wouldn’t make any sense (Pay to everyone what is owed them). Rather, the emphasis in this verse is not on “Owe no one anything,” but on, “love one another.” This is supported by the second half of the verse, “for he who loves another has fulfilled the Law.”

I would paraphrase this verse as: “Your obligation to others should first and foremost be to pay them the debt of love you owe them, because this is what the Law is all about.’

A certain level of debt is necessary to be fully productive in our society today, but it should never get to the level that you can’t make your regularly scheduled payments. Over-extending your debt is, in effect, lying to your debtors because you are giving your word to them that you will pay them off in a prescribed manner. If you were truly showing them love, you would deny yourself rather than make an agreement that you can’t fulfill.

There is a debt that we all owe to each other according to Paul. It is one which can never be fully repaid. Like a house payment or a car payment, this debt requires regular payments. Unlike our loan payments, however, this is one which requires payment every day, even multiple times per day.

Remember, the emphasis of this verse is on loving one another, and that is an “agape” type of love, which is more concerned for the welfare of the object of love than it is for self. So, instead of feeling guilty for being in debt the next time you pay your mortgage payment, you should feel guilty whenever you express yourself in any but a loving way to another member of the body of Christ.

Application

Most of us wouldn’t think of not paying our house payment each month. Are we that committed to making our love payment each and every day? That’s something to think about!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 13:7 – Yes, Taxes! Really!

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Romans 13:7 – Yes, Taxes! Really!

Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Truth to Learn

Christians should submit to all authorities and pay taxes.

Behind the Words

“Render” is translated from the Greek word apodidōmi, which is made up of apo, meaning “off or away” and didōmi, meaning “to give.” Hence, apodidōmi means “to give away” or “to give over.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command.

The word “due” is from opheilē, which means “indebtedness or that which is owed.”

The word “taxes” is from the Greek noun phoros, which we looked at in the previous verse. Today we would call it a property tax or a sales tax.

“Customs” is from the Greek word telos, which properly means “the end, termination, or completion of a thing.” Figuratively, however, it refers to “a toll, custom, or tribute, particularly what is paid for public purposes for the maintenance of the state.” This can be roughly equated to our national income tax. In the New Testament a “publican” or “tax collector” was referred to as a telōnēs (literally, a tax farmer).

Meaning Explained

Since all of those in authority over us are put there by God, including those government officials who are corrupt or dishonest, we need to show the proper submission and respect to their position. The Apostle Paul says that we are to give them what is due them (what we owe them). This is encompassed in four areas according to Paul. The first two areas are taxes imposed by authorities, including such taxes as sales tax, property tax, and local and federal income tax.

The next area, Paul tells us, is that we are to fear those to whom fear is due. That is, we should have a respectful fear of those who have the task of keeping the public peace and order. This most likely refers to police or military personnel who are assigned to keep the public safe. And finally, Paul tells us that we are to give honor to whom honor is due. The difference between honor and fear is that honor denotes reverence, veneration, and respect, whereas fear is that which arises from the dread of punishment.”

Jesus gave us a couple of good examples of a couple of these types of submission. The first is in Matthew 22:15-21. In this passage Jesus was challenged by the Pharisees and Herodians, asking whether or not it is proper to give tribute to Caesar. Jesus’ response was:

Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things which are God’s.

The second is at the end of the 17th chapter of Matthew. When the temple tax collectors came and challenged Peter about paying the drachma (the temple tax). Jesus told Peter to cast a fishing line into the sea and catch a fish. In the fish’s mouth was found precisely the amount to pay the temple tax for both Peter and Jesus, and it was paid.

Application

If Jesus was willing to pay tribute to Caesar and pay the temple tax to corrupt religious leaders, then we should gladly follow His example!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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