Romans 13:5 – Submission by Conscience
Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.
Truth to Learn
We are to submit to authorities because it is the right thing to do.
Behind the Words
“You must” is a translation of the Greek word anangkē, which means, “it is necessary.” It expresses a stronger sense than simply, “it is appropriate” or “it is proper.”
The words “be subject” are translated from hupotassō, which we saw back in verse one means “to place oneself under the authority of another.” It is frequently translated as “submit.” It is expressed here as an infinitive. Thus, a literal translation of the opening part of this verse could be “Therefore it is necessary to be submissive.”
“Conscience” is translated from the noun suneidēsis, which is from the verb suneidō. This is made up of sun, meaning “together,” but often carrying the meaning of “completely” when used in a compound word, and eidō, meaning “to know” or “to perceive.” Hence, suneidō means “to be completely aware of” or “to be conscious of.” Thus we can see that suneidēsis refers to the state of being conscious or completely aware of something. It is that state which presents us with a moral decision of doing what we know to be right or not.
Meaning Explained
Paul now summarizes the two reasons why we should be submitted to the authorities over us. He says that it is necessary for us to submit to authorities and that it is necessary for two reasons. The first reason is “because of wrath.” That is, the authorities over us have the power and responsibility to punish disobedience. It is necessary for us to be subject to and obey the authorities over us because if we refuse to submit to them and obey them, they have the God-granted power to punish us. The second reason we are to be submissive to authorities is “for conscience’ sake.” Since we are completely aware of our responsibility to submit to authorities, we have a moral obligation to do so. In other words, in order to have a clear conscience before God, it is necessary that we submit ourselves to those in authority over us.
But what about Henry David Thoreau’s eloquent treatise On Civil Disobedience? Isn’t it sometimes appropriate, in fact isn’t it sometimes necessary, to be part of civil disobedience? For Christians, according to the Apostle Paul, unless the authority is commanding us to act contrary to the Word of God, the answer is No! We have an excellent example of this type of submission in the person of the prophet Daniel. He was taken captive to Babylon, forced to take on a new name and a new language. But he did not compromise when it came to obeying what God had commanded him to do, even though it nearly cost him his life. Not only did he survive, he prospered under the authority of Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian ruler, and he also prospered under the authority of the Medo-Persian king Darius who conquered Babylon. Daniel was submissive to the authorities over him because he was submitted to God.
Application
As Christians. our ultimate objective is to be submissive to God, and part of that is to be submissive to authorities because we know that it is the right thing to do.
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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