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Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes <\/strong><\/span>are due<\/span>,<\/em><\/strong> customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Christians should submit to all authorities and pay taxes.<\/p>\n \u201cRender<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek word apodid\u014dmi<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of apo<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201coff or away\u201d and did\u014dmi<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto give.\u201d Hence, apodid\u014dmi<\/em> <\/span>means \u201cto give away\u201d or \u201cto give over.\u201d It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command.<\/p>\n The word \u201cdue<\/span>\u201d is from opheil\u0113<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cindebtedness or that which is owed.\u201d<\/p>\n The word \u201ctaxes<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek noun phoros<\/em><\/span>, which we looked at in the previous verse. Today we would call it a property tax or a sales tax.<\/p>\n \u201cCustoms<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek word telos<\/em><\/span>, which properly means \u201cthe end, termination, or completion of a thing.\u201d Figuratively, however, it refers to \u201ca toll, custom, or tribute, particularly what is paid for public purposes for the maintenance of the state.\u201d This can be roughly equated to our national income tax. In the New Testament a \u201cpublican\u201d or \u201ctax collector\u201d was referred to as a tel\u014dn\u0113s<\/em> <\/span>(literally, a tax farmer).<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Jesus gave us a couple of good examples of a couple of these types of submission. The first is in Matthew 22:15-21<\/strong><\/span>. In this passage Jesus was challenged by the Pharisees and Herodians, asking whether or not it is proper to give tribute to Caesar. Jesus\u2019 response was:<\/p>\n Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things which are God’s.<\/span><\/p>\n The second is at the end of the 17th<\/sup> 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\u2019s mouth was found precisely the amount to pay the temple tax for both Peter and Jesus, and it was paid.<\/p>\n 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!<\/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
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