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I am trying to write on some various Bible texts to bring attention to their context. This is one text which has been miisleading to many. I would appreciate any feedback as to whether it is clearly explaining. What needs more explanation? Do you find it helpful?
"Romans 13" in Context
First, Paul wrote a letter. It had no chapter divisions. These numbers were added in the second millenium.
Remember that after Antiochus IV intervened in a Jewish civil war [168 B.C.] and desecrated the Temple, that the autonomy won by the Maccabees only lasted a few decades. Following Pompey's capture of Jerusalem [60 B.C.] they were subject to the Romans. The Senate conferred the title “King of the Jews” on Herod in 40 B.C.. And for four decades he bore the sword under which many Jews chafed.
Following Herod's death in 4 B.C., revolts again broke out. When the rule of his son, Archelaus, ended in A.D. 6, Judas the Galilean [mentioned in Acts 5] led a revolt. Varus with three legions who bore the sword, crushed it and 2,000 Jews were crucified around Jerusalem [Josephus, Ant. 17:295].
From this period until the outbreak of the Jewish War in AD 66, Zealots and assassins would continue to foment rebellion and violent outbreaks against the Roman rule and taxes. During the insurrections from A.D. 46 to 48, two sons of Judas the Galilean were executed by Rome. After that, probably in A.D. 49, Claudius issued an edict expelling the Jews from Rome because of disturbances [Acts 18:2]. When he died in A.D. 54, Jews began returning to Rome.
In A.D. 57, Paul wrote to them:
...I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect…
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn....
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
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