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Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture plus an explanation with links 2016 September 4
Nero's Torches (Candlesticks of Christianity) - (1876)
Henryk Siemiradzki (1843-1902)
Academic Style
National Museum in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
Image Source: Wikimedia
Explanation: Romans 13 begins with an exhortation to submit to the higher powers. It is part of Paul's exhortation in verses 17-18 of the previous chapter: "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." In chapter 12 Paul tells us how to treat private individuals. Today's chapter opens with instructions on how to treat government officials. He offers two reasons for submitting to government officials -- punishment and conscience. If you do good works they will not harm you. If you do evil, they will punish you. Also, since they are ministers of God, appointed by God, you owe them obedience as a matter of maintaining a good conscience before God. You should also pay them that which is due to them (1-7).
And, in general, you should owe no man anything except to love one another because love fulfills the law. All of God's commandments are comprehended in the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves because love works no ill to others (8-10).
We must awaken from our spiritual slumber because our salvation is drawing near. We should cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. We should walk becomingly, not sinfully. "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof" (11-14).
[Sermons: Vaughan Roberts. William Still. Sinclair B Ferguson. Various. ]
[Illustration: Today's image represents governmental cruelty and persecution of Christians -- Nero and his government, in this case. I have chosen this image to evoke a meditation on the first words of today's chapter, specifically the command to submit to government officials. Does this command include persecutors such as Nero was alleged to be? After all, today's chapter speaks of normal relations between government and Christians -- the government giving just commands, and the Christian offering proper obedience and respect. What, then, should be our response when the government does us evil? The matter is settled by looking at the previous chapter. The command in today's chapter is a corollary of Paul's command in verse 19 of chapter 12: "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." In short, just as we are not allowed to take vengeance on individuals who harm us, so we are not allowed to take vengeance on government officials who do us wrong. ]
RESOURCES
[THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES:
Romans 13:1-7: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; 1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Colossians 4:5-6.
Romans 13:8-10: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Galatians 5:13-15; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12; Philemon 1:15-20.
Romans 13:11-14: Romans 1:29-32; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; 2 Corinthians 12:19-21; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 4:17-24; Ephesians 4:25-32; Ephesians 5:13-14; Ephesians 6:10-17; Colossians 3:5-11; Colossians 4:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17; Philippians 2:14-18. ]
NOTE: The parallels above are based in a very small part on my own research but principally on the following sources:
Fred O Francis and J. Paul Sampley, Pauline Parallels, Second Edition. (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Fortress Press, 1984).
Most of the material on Hebrews is from an online article titled Pauline parallels in Hebrews taken from Charles H. Welch and Stuart Allen Welch, Perfection Or Perdition? An Exposition Of The Epistle To The Hebrews, (London: Berean Publishing Trust, 1973). ]
[ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]
[ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]
[ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
[ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Micha'el Ben David. Sons of Korah. Fernando Ortega. Janet Isaac Morrison. Music of the Bible Revealed - Suzanne Haik-Vantoura. Dr. David Erb. Gregorian Chants. ]
*** For Additional word studies use one of the Greek Interlinear Bibles below. ***
Romans 13
4. Redeemed Living (Romans 12:1 - Romans 16:27) - 55 A.D. Corinth
1 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.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
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