Tag: taxes

Romans 13:7 – Yes, Taxes! Really!

Posted on by Will

Therefore give to everyone what is due to them: 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

“Give” 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 state and federal income taxes.

The next area, Paul tells us, is that we are to show 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 safety. 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 © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 13:6 – Taxes? Really?

Posted on by Will

For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.

Truth to Learn

Paying taxes is part of God’s plan for government.

 

Behind the Words

The words “you pay” are from the Greek verb teleō, which literally means “to end.” By implication it also means “to pay in full” with regard to tributes, customs, tolls, or taxes.

“Taxes” is translated from the Greek word phoros, which is a derivative of the verb phero, meaning “to bring.” So, phoros refers to that which is brought. It usually refers to an annual tax or tribute imposed upon persons and their property.

A couple of verses back we looked at the word “minister,” translated from the noun diakonos. The word “ministers” in this verse is different, however. It is the Greek word leitourgos, which is made up of leitos, meaning “of the people” and a form of ergon, meaning “work.” It refers to a public servant, and in this case it refers to those who are God’s public servants. The English word liturgy (a set pattern for public worship) comes from this Greek word.

“Continually” is translated from proskartereō, which is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward” and kertereō, meaning “to be strong or steadfast, that is, to endure.” Proskartereō means “to continue performing a task steadfastly or faithfully.”

 

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul has been talking about the obligation that Christians have to submit to authorities who are over us whether those authorities are occupational, religious, or civil. We are to submit to them because they have been put in place by God and they are there for our protection. The only time we are to resist these authorities is when they command us to behave contrary to the way that God has commanded us to behave.

Paul now continues with this reasoning to explain that because they have been put in place by God, Himself, we also pay taxes to them. At the time this letter was written, this tribute was paid by one province or nation to a superior as the price of protection or as an acknowledgment of subjection. The Romans made all conquered provinces and nations pay this tribute, and it became a question of whether it was right to acknowledge this claim and submit to it. This question would be particularly important to the Jews and the Jewish Christians in Rome. But on the principle which the apostle has just enunciated, it was right to do it, and was demanded by the very purposes of government.

Paul goes on to proclaim that, in fact, the governments of this world are God’s servants. They are in place to perform the public service. Thus, whether they acknowledge it or not, they are God’s public servants and as such we are to submit ourselves to them.

So the question of whether or not we should pay taxes to a corrupt, ungodly government is clearly answered by Paul. Yes, because in doing so we are submitting to them and to God.

 

Application

Every year as April 15th approaches, Americans prepare their tax returns. During this time we become acutely aware how much tax we really pay. The temptation is to cheat and not pay as much as we owe, but Paul says, “Pay it all.”

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 13:7 – Yes, Taxes! Really!

Posted on by Will

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.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to: