![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Banner-MOG-701.gif\" "\\"Ministry")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Paying taxes is part of God\u2019s plan for government.<\/p>\n The words \u201cyou pay<\/span>\u201d are from the Greek verb tele\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which literally means \u201cto end.\u201d By implication it also means \u201cto pay in full\u201d with regard to tributes, customs, tolls, or taxes.<\/p>\n \u201cTaxes<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek word phoros<\/em><\/span>, which is a derivative of the verb phero<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto bring.\u201d So, phoros<\/em> <\/span>refers to that which is brought. It usually refers to an annual tax or tribute imposed upon persons and their property.<\/p>\n A couple of verses back we looked at the word \u201cminister<\/span>,\u201d translated from the noun diakonos<\/em><\/span>. The word \u201cministers<\/span>\u201d in this verse is different, however. It is the Greek word leitourgos<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of leitos<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cof the people\u201d and a form of ergon<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cwork.\u201d It refers to a public servant, and in this case it refers to those who are God\u2019s public servants. The English word liturgy (a set pattern for public worship) comes from this Greek word.<\/p>\n \u201cContinually<\/span>\u201d is translated from proskartere\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of pros<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto or toward\u201d and kertere\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto be strong or steadfast, that is, to endure.\u201d Proskartere\u014d<\/em> <\/span>means \u201cto continue performing a task steadfastly or faithfully.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Paul goes on to proclaim that, in fact, the governments of this world are God\u2019s servants. They are in place to perform the public service. Thus, whether they acknowledge it or not, they are God\u2019s public servants and as such we are to submit ourselves to them.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Every year as April 15th<\/sup> 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, \u201cPay it all.\u201d<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Signature1.gif\" "\\"Will\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n