+ Romans 13: Statist, Antichrist Propaganda

"Romans 13" (written circa 57 AD) verses one through seven is every Statist's favorite passage, for it commands that "every soul" is to be subject to The State. In Paul's time, that State was the Roman Empire led by Nero who was by every account a wicked pervert. For Christian Nationalists and Patriots, this chapter is simple to digest--that is, when their political representative wins the election. For so-called "Christian Anarchists," this chapter is somewhat challenging, though they're capable of reconciling it. This is accomplished by contrasting it with Romans 12, where Paul says that the believer has no sword and shouldn't repay their enemies with evil (vv. 17-21), whereas The State does carry the sword for the execution of evil doers. Both the Christian Patriot and so-called Christian Anarchist are in error. This section is a response to anyone suggesting that this paragraph in Paul's famous epistle is a glorious god-send for all who follow Jesus. Romans 13 is Antichrist because it validates the "kingdoms of this world" when in reality no other Kingdom should be the love and focus of the disciple of Jesus other than the Kingdom of God/ Heaven. In addition to what we've seen concerning Paul's family and professional connections, Romans 13, I believe, is another reason to suspect that Paul was an Agent of the Herodian faction on behalf of Rome.

Romans 13:1-7 reads,

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.

Here, in Romans 13:1, Paul writes to his audience, saying they are to be "subject" to "the higher powers." When we look into Thayer's Greek Lexicon, we find this entry on "subject":

STRONGS G5293:

ὑποτάσσω: 1 aorist ὑπεταξα; passive, perfect ὑποτεταγμαι; 2 aorist ὑπεταγην; 2 future ὑποταγήσομαι; present middle ὑποτάσσομαι; to arrange under, to subordinate; to subject, put in subjection: τίνι τί or τινα, 1 Corinthians 15:27{c}; Hebrews 2:5; Philippians 3:21; passive, Romans 8:20 (see διά B. II. 1 b.): 1 Corinthians 15:27{b} and following; 1 Peter 3:22; τινα or τί ὑπό τούς πόδας τίνος, 1 Corinthians 15:27{a}; Ephesians 1:22; ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν τίνος, Hebrews 2:8; middle to subject oneself, to obey; to submit to one's control; to yield to one's admonition or advice: absolutely, Romans 13:5; 1 Corinthians 14:34 (cf. Buttmann, § 151, 30); τινα, Luke 2:51; Luke 10:17, 20; Romans 8:7; Romans 13:1; 1 Corinthians 14:32; 1 Corinthians 16:16; Ephesians 5:21f (but in Ephesians 5:22, G T WH text omit; Tr marginal reading brackets ὑποτάσσεσθε); Ephesians 5:24; Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:5, 9; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:18; 1 Peter 3:1, 5; 1 Peter 5:5; 2 aorist passive with a middle force, to obey (R. V. subject oneself, Buttmann, 52 (46)), Romans 10:3; imperative obey, be subject: James 4:7; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Peter 5:5; 2 future passive Hebrews 12:9. (The Sept.; (Aristotle), Polybius, Plutarch, Arrian, Herodian)

The website Blue Letter Bible provides a wealth of helpful insight to this word's meaning, which we see below:

 

Please take note of the Subheading "Additional information from the Outline of Biblical Usage," which says, "This word was a Greek military term meaning 'to arrange [troop divisions] in miliary fashion under the command of a leader'. In non-military use, it was 'a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden." Paul's use of the term is the "non-military" one, meaning he hopes his readers voluntarily obey, submit, and cooperate with The State and Emperor Nero. Paul makes this a matter of "conscience" in verse 5, saying, "Wherefore ye must needs be subject." In verse 5, "must needs be" is KJV, but in the NIV, from mounce, we find the more modern "must," (anankē) which makes the force much clearer:

ἀνάγκη (anankē)

Strong: G318

GK: G340

necessity, Mt. 18:7; constraint, compulsion, 2 Cor. 9:7; obligation of duty, moral or spiritual necessity, Rom. 13:5; distress, trial, affliction, Lk. 21:23; 1 Cor. 7:26; 2 Cor. 6:4; 12:10; 1 Thess. 3:7

Is it a matter of "voluntary submission" if this is something one must do? There is no doubt that Paul intends his readers to understand that the disciple of Jesus has a moral and spiritual duty "as a matter of conscience" to obey the civil authority. But there is more reason than just conscience, as he says, "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." You don't want to risk fine, imprisonment, or death, do you? Well, then, submit! The adage we might be familiar with is, "If you're not doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about." People might try to focus on the word "conscience" here as a way to soften what Paul is saying, but what if it's a "matter of conscience" that a person resists The State by refusing to pay for taxes that fund wars, genocides, abortion, and other abominable things? or by refusing to stand and Pledge Allegiance and sing songs? How many examples from history of The State unmercifully persecuting such people of conscience would it take to convince you that The State isn't a friend to those who do good how Paul says it is, writing, "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil." This just isn't true. We find far too many examples in Scripture and history where The State calls good evil and evil good. If The State will call evil good and good evil, and God's people are careful to do that which is truly good but are still fined, imprisoned, exiled, and destroyed by The State, then it isn't true that The State is "not a terror to good works, but to the evil." Jesus knew this, being himself a total victim of The State (as well as The Church). He, a good man, was wrongly executed alongside two evil men, who were rightly executed. Whereas every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights, who causes His rain to fall upon the just as well as the unjust, The State is incapable of such for it plunders and kills whoever it wants, calling good evil and evil good, causing its reign to fall upon the just and not only the unjust. Peter and John knew this all to well, doing things completely good and righteous but who were nevertheless determined by The State and Church to be doing "evil." What did they say? "We ought to obey God rather than men." And unlike Paul, their so-called companion in ministry and affliction, didn't think to use their accolades and Roman Citizenship as a means of alleviating persecution (Acts 22:22-29; 23:6-11, 23-34); Let's now see Peter and John's example, for it's not merely by one's words we know them, but by their works.

In Acts 5:29, the word "obey" is understood as follows:

STRONGS G3980:

πειθαρχέω, πειθάρχω; 1 aorist participle πειθαρχησας; (πείθαρχος; and this from πείθομαι and ἀρχή); to obey (a ruler or a superior): Θεῷ, Acts 5:29, 32; magistrates, Titus 3:1 (others take it here absolutely, to be obedient); τῷ λόγῳ τῆς δικαιοσύνης, Polycarp, ad Philipp. 9, 1 [ET]; (A. V. to hearken to) one advising something, Acts 27:21. (Sophocles, Xenophon, Polybius, Diodorus, Josephus, Plutarch, others; on the very frequent use of the verb by Philo see Siegfried, Philo von Alex. as above with, p. 43 (especially, p. 108).)

We find the obvious, that to "obey" in Acts 5:29 would be the same as to "submit" in Romans 13:1 and 5; Peter and John found it unnecessary and contrary to God and Jesus, whereas Paul strongly binds his readers to do it as a matter of conscience and duty. This is a contradiction. This contradiction is made even more evident when we understand what Jesus said and did in relationship to The State. Before we consider Jesus' example, we should look at a curious place in Peter's First Epistle. Allegedly, Peter, who denied obedience to the Religious Elite, says this in chapter 2, verse 13: "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man...whether it be to the king as supreme." Who is the "king" here? Nero.

Apologetic answers to this conundrum are plenty. One is given on a website Evidence Unseen (.com), "Fourth, Paul’s message is actually subversive, considering the time period. Ancient documents have uncovered a lot about Roman culture. At this time in history, everyone in the Roman Empire knew that Caesar was the ultimate authority—even considered to be divine in some sense.[3] However, Paul wrote that God is actually the ultimate authority (v.1), and Caesar is simply God’s “minister” whom God permits to rule (v.4). What a subversive message! As Christians, we are to voluntarily submit ourselves to human government, while we know that Jesus is the ultimate King." Is it truly submissive to say that a wicked reprobate is "permitted" to rule by God? That such a wicked pervert is a minister of "good" when they're actually destroying God's people? That's abject evil, if you ask me, and should be understood as such. Would Paul dare to publicly rebuke Nero as John and Jesus did Herod? Likely not, "for conscience sake" of course.

Another reason given by this ministry is that, "...the purpose of government is to restrain anarchy. Paul’s purpose of writing Romans 13 is to explain the purpose of government. If human government did not exist, we would be in a state of total anarchy. Even bad government is better than no government. Anarchy results in abject terror for people. Therefore, God is not approving of human government; instead, he is delegating human government for the purpose of restraining complete evil and anarchy." Is this necessarily true? No. Obviously not.

Anarchy is a wonderful philosophy that is actually expressed by many of us already, albeit unwittingly. Here is an outline I've created explaining the basics of it.

Definitions and Key Principles of Anarchy and Agorism

  1. "Anarchism":

    • Definition: Anarchism is a political philosophy that advocates for a Stateless society characterized by voluntary cooperation, mutual aid, and the abolition of illegitimate hierarchies and coercive institutions.

    • Key Principles:

      • "Anti-authoritarianism": or opposition to all forms of unjust hierarchy and coercive authority.

      • "Decentralization": or emphasis on local, decentralized forms of organization.

      • "Voluntary Association" ("Consentism"): or promotion of freely chosen, non-coercive social relationships.

  1. "Agorism":

    • Definition: Agorism is a philosophy that advocates a society in which all interactions are voluntary exchanges free from coercion, emphasizing counter-economics (engaging in economic activities outside of State control) as a means to achieve a free society.

    • Key Principles:

      • "Counter-Economics": or engaging in non-violent black or gray market activities to undermine State power.

      • "Non-coercive Interactions": or ensuring that all exchanges and interactions are voluntary and free from force.

      • "Self-Sufficiency": or promoting individual and community self-reliance to reduce dependence on State-controlled systems.

  1. "Voluntaryism":

    • Definition: Voluntaryism is the philosophy that all forms of human association should be voluntary. This is the fundamental principle within various libertarian and anarchist thought.

    • Key Principles:

      • "Voluntary Interaction": or all relationships and exchanges should be consensual and non-coercive.

      • "Non-Aggression Principle" (NAP): or commitment to not initiating force against others.

      • "Individual Sovereignty": or respecting the autonomy and freedom of each individual.

Relationship and Overlaps

  1. Shared Foundations:

    • Anti-Coercion: We see that all three philosophies reject coercion and advocate for voluntary interactions.

    • Voluntary Association: This is another common theme and is the belief in voluntary, non-coercive social arrangements, whether in governance, economic exchanges, or personal relationships.

We see here that the emphasis an Anarchist gives is on voluntary, non-violent social interactions. There is also an emphasis on the "abolition of unjustified hierarchies and systems of coercion." There is no force, no violence, no compulsion in a true-to-definition Anarchist "society." This is contrary to what Paul and "Peter" expect of their readers, is it not? They expect, and say that we must, obey/ submit, to human government. The point is that we shouldn't be in a disposition where we are even ready to submit to The State because The State isn't a reflection of God's Kingdom. You can't serve God and Mammon, i.e. the things of this world. We have these definitions and now must ask, "What is an illegitimate government or system and what is a legitimate one?" The Almighty answered that already in 1 Samuel 8.

God is the designer of Anarchy because He has decided what the legitimate authority is and what the illegitimate authority is. Anarchy by definition demands the abolition of all forms of illegitimate systems and wants to preserve that which is authentically legitimate. Keep this in mind as we read 1 Samuel 8. We read at length,

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

6 ¶But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord. (*)

7 And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. (*) (*)

10 ¶And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people that asked of him a king.

11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. (*)

16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.

18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the Lord will not hear you in that day.

19 ¶Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord.

22 And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.

The unbiased reader should see that these people who want to submit and obey a human king (human government) strongly displeased YHWH. He says, to paraphrase, "They haven't rejected you, they rejected ME. Since I brought them out of Egypt, they continue to forsake me for other gods." If it isn't clear enough, this means 1) that whatever system of governance established BY GOD before they made this foolish complaint was legitimate (HIS kingdom; HIS laws); this is over and against what they requested. Therefore, 2) the system they found themselves under at the end of the chapter (a king like other nations) is illegitimate. It should've been repented of and abolished.

Let's notice notice the involuntary subjugation of these people by the human king; notice the coercion by the human king DESPITE THEIR "VOLUNTARY" SUBMISSION TO IT? It can't be emphasized strongly enough that based off of 1 Samuel 8, that the only system of legitimate governance is GOD'S, never man's. These rebellious folk turned from God's government, God's kingdom, to the kingdoms of the world. The liar is the one who says that without human government, order is impossible. The liar is the one who says we must submit to the human rulers. God hasn't "ordained" it as much as He has found Himself having to continually deal with mankind's rejection of Him and rebellion and sin. Human government is rebellion, and rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft (1 Samuel 15:23). To end this section, I want to provide what I think is The Correct Anarchist model:

  • Voluntary Submission of One's Will to The Almighty and His Kingdom (the Only Legitimate System of Government Ever Designed)

  • Horizontal Love towards One's Neighbor, Enemy, and Brother/ Sister in Christ

There needn't be any reference to human governments (The State) when discussing one's horizontal relationships because these relationships are 1) already commanded to us by the Legitimate Authority (God/ Christ) and are 2) despite whatever system of Human Tyranny one may be under. We don't need The State to tell us how to love God and our neighbor as we love ourselves, we have God's laws and Jesus' teachings for that. We must seriously understand that so-called Representative Republics, Democracies, Socialist or Communist Regimes, Monarchies, and so on don't matter to God except that He is grieved by their existence because He's the one who told us that such systems are evil and oppressive

Paul very clearly is stating that disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ are to "obey"/ "submit to" Human Governments because, as he said, "They are ordained by God." This contradicts the teachings and examples of not only Jesus Christ, but also Peter and John who said, "We ought to Obey/ Submit to God, rather than man." Had Peter and John listened to Paul, they might've done what they were told "for conscience sake," and "knowing that they 'didn't wield the sword in vain." How preposterous it is for anyone to try and defend Antichrist and Paul, the Secret-Agent of Antichrist. Paul, by validating the kingdoms of men, becomes Antichrist, and so is anyone who follows him.