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Render Unto Caesar - Romans 13
Render Unto Caesar - Romans 13
When Jesus was asked about paying Roman tax, He simply stated that those under Roman rule should "render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Mark 12:17). In Romans 13 Paul gives the same instructions. Paul states: "there is no authority except from God”. This is based upon the fact that God, by right of creation, has all authority. It is thus God who raises up and puts down governments and kings. God rules in the kingdoms of men (Dan. 4:25; 5:21).
Those [authorities] that exist have been instituted by God. This has been understood by some, and wrongly it seems to me, to mean that God chooses each and every person who rules. Taking it this way then says that every evil politician and blood-thirsty tyrant has been put there by God. Rather, it seems that Paul is speaking of the various forms or spheres of authority which God has established and not each individual. This leaves open the idea that when such governing authorities rule incorruptly and no longer serve God’s purposes, that He removes them.
Such a view has its own questions as you learn about the Romans emperors and those under them who were in positions of authority. NOT many of them were godly. NOT many of them actually served the interests of the people and the empire. Yet I believe the principle of this passage does apply.
Such governing authorities were instituted 1) for people’s good and 2) to carry out God’s wrath upon evildoers. These are in fact combined, by punishing evildoers, they allow for people to live in peace and without fear of evil. Such punishing of evildoers and approving of goodwill establish the good ordering of society. The punishment of evil goes as far as ‘bearing the sword’ against such evil-doers which has been almost universally understood as a reference to capital punishment.
In this passage I understand Paul to speak of ‘good’ and ‘evil’ in the sense of the rights of each citizen. To deprive another of his rights (stealing his property, harming his body, or killing him) thus are ‘evil’. The governments of the world are not in the position of defining ultimate moral standards, they are there to ensure the temporal rights and well-being of the citizens. Hence we are to pray "for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:2).
When Paul speaks about the attitude of Christians towards such positions of governing, we are to first to ‘do what is good’. Christians were to live in all good conduct as a citizen. To this is added two more thoughts: 1) respect them for their position and needed function (respect and honor in vs. 7), and 2) submit / obey them in such function (cp. 1 Pet. 2:13). (Of course, when they demand of a believer that which is contrary to God’s demands, a believer has no choice but to obey God rather than man. cp. Acts 5:29).
In order to carry out such function, there is of course a need of revenue. All forms of provisions that governments make to their people require money. One of the ways of raising such was simply to demand a tax from the people. This Rome did and Paul tells the believers to pay it (as Jesus had earlier taught). In fact, when Paul says in verse 7 to “give everyone what you owe him” (NIV) or “Pay to all what is owed to them” (ESV), the NASB translates it as “Render to all what is due them”. The verb translated ‘give / pay’ is the same word Jesus used in Mark 12:17 that is translated ‘render unto Caesar’.
I find it interesting to read this chapter in light of the fact that the Roman rulers of the first century were, in our appraisal of things, not very good. They were self-centered and often spent such ‘tax money’ upon their own interests.
What gives this section of teaching such problematic character is not what it teaches, but the underlying question of when is it right to NOT obey it. The answer to THAT question will come from your own conscience and you will then answer first to the powers that you are in rebellion against and ultimately, you will answer unto God. I would just say that we need to be very careful as we contemplate such rebellion.
Hugh DeLong
