It is a shame that in America today there seems to be an almost total lack of understanding of the purpose of civil government. It is even more amazing when you read the American Declaration of Independence and realize that it spells things out very clearly. “To secure these rights, governments are instituted among men,” wrote Jefferson. That is the only legitimate purpose of civil government and can be summed up simply as: to insure justice.
But, do you know what justice is? Justice is “the virtue which consists in giving to every one what is his due.” That definition from Webster’s dictionary is the definition that has been used since time immemorial. In fact, it is the definition Socrates used in Plato’s “Republic.” Compare that definition of justice with what Paul wrote and you will see that Paul is using the classic definition of justice. “Render therefore to all their dues…Owe no man anything, but to love one another.” If we understand that God demands justice, then it should not be a problem to agree with what Paul said.
Because injustice is inherent in mankind’s fallen condition, government is “ordained by God” in order that some semblance of justice will be possible. That’s all there is to it. No big deal, really, and Paul says little more than what a good treatise on civil government will tell you. Or, if you wish, you can go read about the Roman system of laws and you will find that many of the principles of justice that we employ today were embedded into the Roman civil law.
Try, for a moment at least, to put on your toga and sandals and see the world from the perspective of a first century Roman citizen. For years prior to Paul’s letter, and for many years afterward, the Jewish people were struggling to break free from Roman rule and reestablish an independent Jewish kingdom.
Along comes a new movement, springing from that hotbed of rebellion against Rome, and it is proclaiming that a crucified Jewish Messiah rose from the dead, was divine, will free all men from slavery, and is going to return from heaven to set up a perpetual kingdom on earth. Now -- what would a Roman citizen think of that? Most likely he would think that Christianity was yet another Jewish attack on Imperial Roman rule. In addition, these Christians were not honoring the gods of the Pagan society, and thus to the Romans could bring the wrath of the gods onto the people.
It is always important to remember that Jesus said, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” Nevertheless, what are we to do in the case of a government gone wrong? The answer is simple, really, when you understand the condition of man in this world and the true source of tyranny.
