Lawrence DeMetrius

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Letter of Apostle Paul – Romans
An Intimate Review
Pt 12
By Lawrence DeMetrius

Christian Respect and Civil Duties to Earthly Leadership

In [Rm 13:1; Mt 22:21] Apostle Paul reiterates a principle that was taught by Jesus Christ, which is to render proper regard to government authorities. He gave instruction to all people to do this and gave reason why stating,

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.
[Rm 13:1]

*subject Gk #5293 hupotasso (hoop-ot-as-so) it means to obey and subordinate, which is to place in a lower order or rank, make secondary, and make subject, subservient or dependent

*higher Gk #5242 huperecho (hoop-er-ekh-o) it means to hold oneself above, excel, superior and superiority

*powers Gk #1849 exousia (ex-oo-see-ah) it is privilege, force, capacity, competency, freedom, mastery, a magistrate, token of control and delegated influence

Rightly SUBJECTING one’s self to rightly established POWERS is something they should do if they desire to secure certain benefits within the communities, they live in. By not doing so, one forfeits the benefits thereof and SUBJECT themselves to unfortunate circumstances and penalties. Apostle Paul gives two assurances with this instruction.

1. There is NO POWER but of God.

2. The POWERS that be are ORDAINED of God.

*ordained Gk #5021 tasso (tas-so) it means to arrange in an orderly manner and assign or dispose to a certain position or lot

Yahweh is sovereign over all POWERS universally. Effectively discerning this truth renders exceeding peace within. Although witnessing unjust hurt inflicted by established authority can make the idea of respecting and Yahweh ORDAINING such POWERS challenging. All those who practice unrighteousness are the children of Lucifer, many of whom do occupy offices of civil authority. [I Jn 3:8-10; 8:38, 41, 44, 47; Eph 2:2; 6:12] But, no matter how destitute conditions appear, THE LORD of righteousness is always in complete control. The activity of wicked persons is limited by DIVINE POWER. Therefore, the Elect of GOD are always expected to govern themselves per DIVINE RULE. In [Rm 13:2] Apostle Paul notes that anyone who RESISTETH divine ORDINANCE RESISTETH Yahweh WHO established it, bringing DAMNATION upon themselves.

*resisteth Gk #498 antitassomai (an-tee-tas-som-ahee) it means to oppose and set oneself against

*resisteth Gk #436 anthistemi (anth-is-tay-mee) it means to oppose and stand against

*ordinance Gk #1296 diatage (dee-at-ag-ay) it is an arrangement, institution and instrumentality, which is the quality or state of being instrumental, the fact or function of serving some purpose and a means or agency by which a thing is done

*receive Gk #2983 lambano (lam-ban-o) it means to take and get hold of

*damnation Gk #2917 krima (kree-mah) it is a decision and function or effect of a decision be it for or against a crime

Thus, those who choose to RESIST DIVINE ORDINANCE literally choose to TAKE and GET HOLD OF DAMNATION for themselves. Although it be that unworthy persons craftly obtain DIVINELY ORDAINED seats for wicked purposes, that SEAT itself must always to treated with high regard. Again, activity of the wicked is limited by DIVINE POWER.

In [Rm 13:3] Apostle Paul notes that RULERS have authority established by DIVINE ORDINANCE are there to PRAISE and not be a TERROR to those who do GOOD WORKS. However, they are set by Yahweh to be a means of correction to those who choose to do EVIL WORKS. Therefore, those who practice EVIL WORKS should be AFRAID of DIVINELY ESTABLISHED authorities.

*rulers Gk #758 archon (ar-khone) it is a first in rank and power such as a chief, ruler, magistrate or prince

*terror Gk #5401 phobos (fob-os) it is alarm and fright

*works Gk #2041 ergon (er-gon) it is an act or toil as an effort or occupation

*evil Gk #2556 kakos (kak-os) it means intrinsically worthless or by nature is of no worth

*good Gk #18 agathos (ag-ath-os) good in any sense

*afraid Gk #5399 phobeo (fob-eh-o) it means to frighten, be alarmed and revere

*praise Gk #1868 epainos (ep-ahee-nos) it means to highly praise and commend

Yahweh is responsible for the idea and establishing of sound government on all levels of human societies. Where there is no such government, there is disorder and unfortunate consequence to people of that community. It is the rightful duty of every citizen within a community to give proper regard to civil authorities. This not only helps one to avoid the WRATH thereof but for CONSCIENCE SAKE.

*wrath Gk #3709 orge (or-gay) it is desire as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind, violent passion, intense anger, justifiable abhorrence and punishment

*conscience sake Gk #4893 suneidesis (soon-i-day-sis) it is moral consciousness and co-perception [Rm 7:14-25; 8:5-8; 12:2, 3; Jn 4:23, 24]

SUNDEIDESIS (soon-i-day-sis) implies that there are two types of perception within the believer. Human and spiritual perceptions. [Rm 7:14-25; Eccl 3:16; See Duncan Heaster’s, The Power of Basics 4-3 Self-Perception]
In [Rm 13: 6, 7] Apostle Paul notes that proper respect is to be given to righteous government for its just purposes. This is why one is to RENDER proper DUES, TRIBUTE, CUSTOM, FEAR and HONOUR to those who occupy governing seats.

*render Gk #591 apodidomi (ap-od-eed-o-mee) it means to give away, give up, give over or give back

*dues Gk #3782 opheile (of-i-lay) it is indebtedness, a sum owed, obligation and conjugal duty

*tribute Gk #5411 phoros (for-os) it is a load as borne, a tax and an individual assessment on persons or property

*custom Gk #5056 telos (tel-os) it is the point aimed at as a limit, conclusion of an act or state, termination, result, purpose and an impost or levy as paid

*honour Gk #5092 time (tee-may) it is a value, money paid, valuables and esteem especially of the highest degree or the dignity thereof

In [Rm 13:8-10] in addition to his appeal for the Elect to give proper regard to established authority, Apostle Paul admonishes them to OWE no one anything but LOVE as this FULFILLS the Law of Divine LOVE.

*owe Gk #3784 opheilo (of-i-lo) it means to owe pecuniarily, which is means of or relating to money, consisting of, given or exacted in monetary payments, monetary penalty for a crime or violation, be under obligation, ought, must, should or fail in moral duty

*love Gk #25 agapao (ag-ah-pah-o) it is the expression of divine love in a social and moral sense

*law Gk #3551 nomos (nom-os) it is law through the idea of prescriptive usage, general regulations, namely The Mosaic Laws and principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ


In [Rm 13:11] Apostle Paul expounds upon one’s primary means of doing all things properly, including giving just regard to the divine ORDINANCE of authority, which is Christ the Word. Apostle Paul then admonishes the Elect to recognize the TIME in which they live and actions they must take to WISELY REDEEM it. [Eph 5:6; Col 4:5] He warns them to be AWAKE from SLEEP because the day of SALVATION is nearer than they believe it to be.

*awake Gk #1453 egeiro (eg-i-ro) it means to literally waken and arouse from sleep, sitting, lying down, disease, death, obscurity, inactivity, ruins and nonexistence

*sleep Gk #5258 hupnos (hoop-nos) it is sleep and spiritual torpor, which is sluggish inactivity, lethargic indifference, state of suspended physical powers and activities, dormancy as a hibernating animal and apathy which is…
• absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement
• lack of interest in or concern for things that are moving and exciting
• freedom from emotion of any kind

*salvation Gk #4991 soteria (so-tay-ree-ah) it is safety and physical or moral rescue

In [Rm 13:12; II Cor 5:17] Apostle Paul notes that everyone is given opportunity to begin living in the DAY which is at hand, and put off the effects of living in the darkness of NIGHT which is far spent. Again, they can do so by simply adhering to the words of Jesus Christ. [Mt 11:28-30; Jn 8:31, 32, 36; 14:26]

*night Gk #3571 nux (noox) it is literally or figuratively night

*day Gk #2250 hemera (hay-mer-ah) it is the whole of 24 hours and literally a day, which is the space of time between dawn and dark

*darkness Gk #4655 skotos (skot-os) it is shadiness and obscurity

In [Rm 13:12, 14] Apostle Paul notes that in casting off WORKS of DARKNESS, those who are alive again, per divine insight are admonished to put and keep on the ARMOUR of LIGHT, which is the Lord Jesus Himself.

*armour Gk #3696 hoplon (hop-lon) it is an implement, utensil or tool that is used in the offensive side of warfare

• offensive as a noun is…
o causing resentful displeasure
o highly irritating, angering or annoying
o unpleasant or disagreeable to the sense
o repugnant to the moral sense, good taste and insulting
o pertaining to offense or attack
o characterized by attack and aggression

• offensive as a verb is…
o the position and attitude of aggression or attack
o an aggressive movement or attack

*light Gk #5457 phos (foce) it is luminousness

This ARMOUR of LIGHT is Christ the Word alive and shining forth from within one’s mind, lifestyle and WORKS. [St Jn 1:1-5; Mt 5:14-16, 19; II Cor 4:3-7; 10:4, 5] These definitions give credence to the idea of Christ and His Church being the VIOLENT FORCE that takes what is rightly its own. The MINDSET that is in Christ must be active within anyone who desires deliverance from all lying persuasions, namely those established within their own consciousness. [Gen 3:15; Isa 59:19; Mt 6:34; 11:12, 28-30; 22:37; Jn 1: 1-5; 4:23, 24; 6:65; 8:12; 31, 32, 36; 16:33; Rm 12: 2, 3; II Cor 4:3; 10:4, 5; I Tim 1:7; II Tim 2: 24-26; Phil 2:5; Tit 1:15; I Jn 5:5] In [Rm 13:13] Apostle Paul admonishes the Redeemed to WALK HONESTLY as in the DAY. This is a requirement for divine worship. One must learn to deal with self per the words of Jesus Christ and in reality. [St Jn 4:23, 24]

*walk Gk #4043 peripateo (per-ee-pat-eh-o) it means to live, tread all around, walk at large as proof of one’s ability and follow as a companion and devoted admirer and disciple

*honestly Gk #2156 euschemonos (yoo-skhay-mon-oce) it means to be dignified in conduct, manners, appearance and character

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