Afraid of the Power Romans 13:3

Paul the apostle told the believing people in Rome, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God.” and he continued, “and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation”. In chapter thirteen and verse three of Romans, Paul asks the believers, “will you then not be afraid of the power?” where we read:

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power?

do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same:

The verse begins, “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. ” Paul began with the words, “for rulers” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore commanders, leaders, chiefs, magistrates and princes” “are not a terror” or “are not a fear, dread or alarm” “to good works” or “toward useful, salutary, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy, excellent, distinguished, upright and honorable business, employment and that which any one is occupied”, “but” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding, in exception, rather, moreover” “to the evil” or “toward things of bad nature, not such as they ought to be, wrong and wickedness”. Paul considered “leaders and commanders” to be a “dread and alarm” to “wicked and wrong” and not to ways which are “good”.

The verse goes on to say, “Will you then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same”. Paul continued with the words, “will you then not be” which means “will the believers in Rome wish, desire, be fond of, delight in and have in mind, intend, be resolved, determined and purposed” “afraid” or “be put to flight, fear, be startled by, reverence and venerate” “of the power” which means “pertaining to the authority, influence, command and right”? “Do that which is good” or “perform useful, salutary, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy, excellent, distinguished, upright and honorable things”, “and you shall have praise” which refers to “and believing readers will receive approbation, commendation and laudation” “of the same” which means “pertaining to the rulers, authorities and commanders”. Paul shared how believers in Rome were to be “in fear and awe” of “leaders”, and when they did what is “right and good” those “leaders” would “commend” them for it.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we realize that “leaders and authorities” are to keep order and rule within a society, and those who are under their authority should “respect and be in awe” of them. When people do as they are commanded, they are “commended” by the authorities, however, if they rebel against the “rulers”, they will know the rulers' “judgment”. God Almighty is the Supreme Authority, and no one is greater than He, and since those whom He appoints shall give an account to God, those who believe in Jesus are to be subject to them. May the Lord Jesus through His Holy Spirit give provision for everyone who believes in Him and reads these words to “submit” to His “authority” and practice things that are “good”.

Next time Paul tells the believers in Rome how a “ruler” is, “the minister of God to you for good”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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