Part 2 of 5 of the theme 'Christian and politics' by Gijs van den Brink
When it comes to politics, Romans 13 is undoubtedly the most frequently cited scripture. It is a standard text for Protestants and Catholics alike. People then speak from this text about the Christian duty to obey the government and make a responsible contribution to this "servant of God. But is that really the core of the message Paul was passing on to the congregation in Rome?
If we look for the meaning of the Bible text for the first hearers, in this case the Jewish Christians in Rome in the middle of the first century, the message does take on a different focus. We are talking about the autocratic rule of the Roman emperor, who also allowed himself to be worshipped as a god. So that Paul would call for contributions to this government cannot be the case.
But important comments must also be made about the common call from this text to obey the government. When we consider the historical context, we get a better picture of what Paul wants to say. He is writing his letter during the reign of Emperor Nero. This notorious emperor actually began his tenure very well. He came to power in 54 A.D. and the early years of his reign were characterized by tranquility, peace and prosperity. This compared to the reign of his predecessor Claudius. Claudius had banned Jews and Jewish Christians from Rome. Nero had undone this edict immediately upon taking office. The beginning of his reign was thus a sort of mini golden age (from 54-59 AD, also called quinquennium Neronis called), the most beautiful and peaceful time since Emperor Augustus. Only then did Nero emerge as a power-hungry and cruel persecutor of Christians.
During this first period of relative peace, Paul wrote the letter to the Romans (between 56-58 AD). Christians possessed a fair amount of freedom, but of course you had to watch your step. Rebellion would jeopardize stability!
Do not participate in rebellion and revolt
And this is precisely Paul's message: do not engage in rebellion and revolt. He chooses his words very carefully. He uses the word hupotassō, which means submit in the sense of to conform to, to conform. The Greek has its own word for obeying authorities (peith-archeō "obey or obey the government," e.g. Tit.3:1), but Paul does not use that here. The balance of the new age is fragile, which is why he calls on believers to submit, to conform, to conform. The core meaning of this word is "order," arrangement. This is not the same as a call to obedience. A Christian who refuses to worship the emperor, but accepts the death penalty, is submitting but not obeying.
The atmosphere in the Roman Empire changes completely in 64 AD when Nero blames Christians for the massive fire that struck Rome. It is the time when Nero emerges as a ruler who acts as a nothing-and-nothing beast. In the book of Revelation, probably written during the tyrannical period of Nero's reign, the situation has deteriorated to the point where there is no call to comply and the government is characterized as a tool of Satan (Rev. 13).
So we cannot hear in Paul's words in Rom. 13 a direct message that Christians should participate in government as the servant of God. On the other hand, we can hear a critical note in Paul's words when he says that government is by God is instituted. And that God is not the emperor, but the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
So we must look further for how believers are expected to be meritorious in a political sense (politeuō). About this in next week's blog.
Author: Gijs van den Brink
From: Study Bible Magazine
This is part 2 of 5 concise blog on the topic of "Christian and politics" from Study Bible Magazine, Some of which we will be posting online in the near future. We hope this will help you understand the Bible better!
