Romans 13: 1 is perhaps the single biblical line most often distorted by people with ulterior motives to brainwash Christians into submitting to tyranny. 9 pan-democracy leaders were found on April 9 found guilty over their role in Hong Kong's 2014 Umbrella Movement. Back in 2013, Rev. Daniel Ng Chun-man, Senior Pastor, Evangelical Free Church of China, Kong Fuk Church, Hong Kong, already invoked Romans 13: 1 and called upon HK believers to "be subject to the governing authorities". "Any law-breaking Occupy Movement pastors or believers ought to be expelled from the Church!" advocated Rev. Ng.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), founding father of the USA, however, said, "Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God." The original Greek word for "governing" in "be subject to the governing authorities" is huperecho, which means morally surpassing or excellent, as in 1 Peter 2:13, Philippians 2:3, Philippians 3:8, and Philippians 4:7. "Authorities" in Romans 13:1 refers to rulers who are "the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." (Romans 13:4). "be subject to" means cheerfully obey. In other words, in Romans 13:1, God commands, "Submit cheerfully to rulers who are serving God in the execution of His will against evil-doers." (Runyan 2012). When encountered with tyranny, Christians are supposed to resist. "Let the godly exult in glory......to execute vengeance on the nations..... to bind their kings with chains......"(Psalms 149: 5-9).
References:
Runyan Gordon (2012) Resistance to Tyrants -- Romans 13 and the Christian Duty to Oppose Wicked Rulers.
James Willson (1804) The Establishment and Limits of Civil Government.
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