Need Help Understanding Romans 13

[JosephLove]

I cannot, for the life of me, understand what Paul is saying in Romans 13.

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." (Romans 13:1-4)

Paul says there's no authority expect the ones which God has established? And they are all His servants to do good?

What about the governments who run terrorist countries? (In some countries, you could be hung for being a self-proclaimed Christian.)
What about the government who tried to murder all the Jews in World War 2?
What about the authorities who murdered Christ?
What about Pharaoh—Egypt's ruler?
What about prisoners who were wrongfully accused and spent many years of life wasted in prison?

These were all "God's servants" who "do not bear the sword for no reason"? I honestly don't understand.

Furthermore, I thought Satan tempted Christ by offering Him all the governments on earth. How could Satan offer Christ the governments, if Satan did not own them?

Paul didn't say "all governments, whether good or evil, fulfill God's will in one way or another." No. He said "whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted." So all those Christians from early A.D. who were put to death by the Roman Empire were rebelling against God?

I really want to understand and not feel rebellious to this passage of scripture, but I'm finding this all very difficult to grasp.

Any help?
Thanks!

 

[B-A-C]

Sometimes God uses bad people and bad situations to do his will.

Even people that don't believe in Him.

If Pharaoh would have immediately let the Israelites go, Things might have gone easier for everyone.
Yet because he hardened his heart against God (God eventually hardened it even more) God was able to use
those circumstances to show His power, the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and even the cloud and manna
in the wilderness. It's difficult to think these things did not make an impression on the Israelites. (Probably some
of the Egyptians also). In fact, the first passover was actually the last plague. The feast of the passover then became
a yearly ritual and a big part of the Jewish faith. ( Exod 12:29; )

Joseph's older brothers were more or less in charge of him. They sold him into slavery and told their father he was dead.
Years later Joseph became "second in power only to the Pharoah himself" and was able to help his family and the Egyptians.

The government here in the US has decided turned against God in the last decade or so.
In my life time I have seen abortion, homosexuality, drugs, pornography and even fornication all become legal and accepted
by the powers that be. Is God against these things, I believe He is, but he allows them to happen because it's part of His plan.
The people who want to do these things will expose themselves by doing them, because now it's acceptable by society.
These things are prophesied to happen in the last days. God must have had a purpose for them.

It has been proven that sometimes adversity and trials makes a certain belief stronger (what doesn't kill you makes you stronger).
It has been suggested by many (even in some of Paul's letters) that trials and perseverance are part of the reason the faith grew so fast.

Satan did own the governments of the earth, at the time. (John 12:31; John 14:30; ) until John 16:11; then Jesus was given all authority.
Yet there are still some people who choose to follow Satan.

 

[Chad]

Faithlife Bible Study Notes

13:1–7
Paul consistently teaches that believers must submit to established authority in the contexts of the household and the government (see Eph 5:21 and note; compare Col 3:18; 1 Cor 14:34; Titus 3:1). Paul’s teaching here resembles that in Titus 3:1 and parallels Peter’s teaching in –14. Jesus also teaches about respecting ruling authority (Matt 22:15–22).

13:1 governing authorities
The phrase hyperechousais exousiais refers to human government officials, not spiritual authorities (see v. 3).

be subject
Describes respecting and obeying the authority of government officials. Paul is not asserting that believers should do what is contrary to God’s commands; rather, he wants to ensure that Christians do not participate in unreasonable civic rebellion.

no authority except by God
The word exousia refers to the authority that government officials exercise, not authority in an abstract, general sense. The ot consistently views God as the ultimate authority over human government (Dan 4:17).

13:2 one who resists authority
Paul indicates that since God establishes governing authorities, resisting that authority is the same as rejecting the authority of God.

condemnation
The word krima probably refers to punishment from government authority for disobedience (see v. 3). It may alternatively refer to an eschatological judgment from God (see 2:2–3; 3:8; 5:16).

13:4 servant
The word diakonos often refers to believers (see 2 Cor 6:4; Eph 3:7; Phil 1:1; Col 1:7). Here, Paul uses the word in its secular sense to refer to any official. He also describes them as “God’s servant” not because they are Christian but because he recognizes God’s authority over them.

sword
Indicates a method of execution—to be beheaded by sword. The sword symbolizes the authority of government officials to punish rebels, even by death.

13:5 be in subjection
The same verb as in v. 1, emphasizing respect of established authority. See note on vv. 1–7.

13:6 servants of God
The word leitourgos probably refers to public officials. These public officials are “servants of God” because their authority ultimately comes from God.

13:7 Pay to everyone what is owed
This series of commands represents the duties of a good citizen. Paul had warned believers not to rebel against government officials (v. 2). Now, he urges them to do what is good.

 

[NoHype]

I really want to understand and not feel rebellious to this passage of scripture, but I'm finding this all very difficult to grasp.

Any help?

If you'll study more of your Old Testament Scripture, you will discover how God dealt with corrupt rulers and nations. He has even pronounced specific judgments upon certain nations, but its administering is not until the last day of this present world (like the nation alignment of Ezek.38).

God's servants in OT times were persecuted too, until God dealt with the evil in His Own timeframe. We have to be patient. And sometimes God punished a nation using evil rulers and corruption because of the majority falling away from Him, yet He still took care of the majority of His people (like the time of the king of Babylon Nebuchadnezzar and the Jew's captivity to Babylon).

But what Paul is especially speaking of in Romans 13 is still about authority God has given rulers. Even when Daniel was delivered up to the king of Babylon, Daniel did not mock him, but recognized Neb's authority given him from God, even in that situation of the Babylon captivity. God caused the evil that Neb's prophets created with trying to have Daniel killed to turn around upon them instead, with Neb using his authority to do it, and thus preserve Daniel's life. That example of Daniel we are to follow, even among evil rulers. And then God dealt with Nebuchadnezzar personally because of Neb allowing himself to think he could put himself in place of God, and to know that God in Heaven rules over the affairs of men.

Also, per the fact that our Heavenly Father through His Son and His prophets and Apostles warned us about the evil that would come in the last days, that was so we might prepare our souls for it, and maintain patience in waiting for our Lord Jesus to return and strike His judgment over evil on that day.