Higher Powers

To be "subject to the powers that be," implies not merely a willingness to serve under compulsion, but implies also that we will not oppose earthly governments in any public manner.

The various instructions given in the second text (Romans 13: 1-10) are written not with a view to making Christians out of heathen, but with a view to informing those who are already Christians how to conduct themselves and what bearing they shall have toward the present civil powers.

As Jesus was really their King, whose will they must obey, the disciples wondered what attitude they should take in respect to the ruling power, which of course was Rome. Paul writes to them and also for the Church of God till the Lord’s return. The powers of which he speaks are all rulers who are acknowledged to have the right to make laws, whether autocratic or democratic. If, therefore, one should resist those powers he would be resisting the ordinance of God, and he can do that only to his own hurt. (Romans 13:2) On Romans 13:1 the clergy class, in their own interests, have based and promulgated the doctrine of the “divine right of kings” to rule. The Apostle, of course, makes no such statement, nor gives any such authority.

Therefore says the apostle to the anointed of God: "Let every soul [every one of God's organization] be subject to the higher powers," because this is God's organization and Christ Jesus now present is in command thereof.

The statement of Paul, “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,” has been misapplied time and again. It has no reference whatsoever to any part of Satan’s organization, and could not have. Paul’s statement must apply and does apply exclusively to God’s organization.

In addition to those proclamations the remnant, in the year 1929, firmly took their stand and publicly declared themselves wholly for Jehovah God and Christ Jesus as the “higher powers” and, by proclamation, made it clearly to appear that the political, religious rulers of this world are not the “higher powers” mentioned in Romans 13:1.

The time was when even the consecrated believed that the “higher powers” are the earthly rulers. The enlightened ones now know that that is not true, but that the “higher powers” are Jehovah and his great officer Christ Jesus, to whom is committed all judgment, and that all of the consecrated must be found obedient unto Christ before being fully approved and taken into the kingdom.

A misunderstanding of what constitutes “the higher powers’’ has caused many persons to be held in restraint or in Babylon’s prison. It is written: “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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 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.” -Romans 13:1-3. Those inspired words do not refer to the governments or rulers of the nations of earth. That scripture is addressed “to all that be . . . called to be saints” (Romans 1:7) and to no others, and the “higher powers” over such are Jehovah God and Christ Jesus, that is, God and his royal house in heaven. The powers that rule the present wicked world and which are known as “temporal powers” are not ordained of God. Jesus plainly said: “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36) Also he said that Satan the Devil is the prince or ruler of this world and that Christ Jesus has no part with him. (John 12:31; 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4) Those who are devoted to God will obey the laws of this world when those laws are not in conflict with God’s law.

Hence the Scriptural statement at Romans 13:1 and 1 Peter 2:13,14 concerning the "higher powers" and "governors" does not apply to any political rulers of the world, but applies only to the Christian organization, of which Christ Jesus is the Head.

They submit to the advice of their religious clergy that they must not revolt against the iniquities of these religious ruling elements because the clergy say these are “the higher powers” and are “ordained of God”; whereas in truth and in fact the only “higher powers” are Jehovah God and Christ Jesus.

But rather than being instructions by the apostle to render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, Romans 13:1-7 has since 1929 been taken by Jehovah’s witnesses to be instructions on rendering to God what belongs to God.

Hence the “superior authorities” in Romans chapter 13 which God commissions includes only the theocratic ruling authorities and excludes Caesar’s authorities.

We now confess that Jehovah God and his highly exalted Son Christ Jesus are the true Higher Poivers ordained for all Christian souls to be subject to. This stand, of course, interferes with the schemes of politicians who use religious traditions to blind people into submitting to them.—Rom. 13:1, 2.

Jehovah’s King we will pay honor as commanded, for he said: “The Father . . . hath given all judgment unto the Son; that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.” (John 5: 22, 23, Am. Stan. Ver.) Therefore the authority of only this King originates with God. Hence Jehovah God the Father and Jesus Christ the King are “the higher powers” to whom every Christian soul should be subject in obedience to Romans 13:1

Rom. 13:1-4 “Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities [Jehovah God and Christ Jesus], for there is no authority except by God [only Christ Jesus and his theocratic organization recognized by God]; the existing authorities [not political governments] stand placed in their relative positions by God [not ‘divine right of kings’]. Therefore he who ranges himself up against the authority [Christ Jesus”] has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will receive judgment to themselves [annihilation from Christ Jesus]

So as residents in the land they keep good order, not just to avoid the wrath that could be expressed through the superior authorities, but to live by their Christian conscience, which is enlightened by God’s Word.

However, temporarily, from 1929 to 1962, the Witnesses understood that when Paul spoke of the "superior authorities" at Romans 13:1, to whom subjection is due, he had reference to Jehovah God and Christ Jesus.

However, the Bible made clear to them that, if they were going to take up true worship, they would need a very different outlook on life.—Ephesians 4:22-29. 2 Commenting on the attitude that a Christian should have toward the political governments, the apostle Paul said: "Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God." (Romans 13:1) This does not mean that God established these governments or that he approves of their course.

Knowing the results that could easily develop, Jesus did not endorse the idea of each one becoming a law to himself. 11 It is to be noted, however, that in his reply Jesus showed that the secular state was not the only authority to be considered. The "superior authorities" are not superior to God nor even equal to him.

In Romans 13:1-7 these neutral followers of Jesus Christ are commanded to be subject to the “higher powers” or “superior authorities” of this present earthly system of things.

The expression "superior authorities" means the political governments or authorities. For this reason the Revised Standard Version Bible uses the expression "governing authorities"; the New Translation of the Bible by James Moffatt uses the expression "government authorities"; J. B. Rotherham's The Emphasised Bible, "protecting authorities." But The Complete Bible: An American Translation uses the simple expression "authorities that are over him."

The attitude Christians should have toward the "Caesar" government is stated at Romans 13:1: "Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God." This does not mean that God established these governments or that he approves of their course. Some of them plainly say that they are atheistic. Nonetheless, God permits them to exist.

What has that position been? 9 The scripture just quoted says that it is a "superior" one. Thus government officials are not to be treated with disrespect. The laws put into force by them are not to be disregarded. This does not mean that you necessarily admire the individuals, nor that you approve of any corruption in which they might engage.

As to such authorities' being "placed in their relative positions by God," the Scriptures indicate that this does not mean that God formed these governments or that he backs them up.

Taxes are paid only to secular authorities. In agreement with this, the Greek words for "tax" and "tribute" used by Paul at Romans 13:7 refer specifically to money paid to the State.* 7 Further, Paul's exhortation to be in subjection to the superior authorities is in harmony with Jesus' command to pay back "Caesar's things to Caesar," where "Caesar" represents secular authority.

But there is a stronger reason. The authorities exist by Jehovah's permission. As Peter says, the political rulers are "sent by" Jehovah, and it is "the will of God" that Christians remain subject to them. (1 Peter 2:15a) Similarly, the apostle Paul says: "The existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God." Hence, our Bible-trained conscience moves us to obey the authorities.

As a result, in 1962 it was acknowledged that "the superior authorities" are the secular rulers, but with the help of the New World Translation, the principle of relative subjection was clearly discerned.

A careful reading of the first seven verses of Romans chapter 13 reveals that political "superior authorities" were "God's minister" to praise those doing good and to punish those practicing what is bad.

The superior authorities are God's "arrangement" in that they preserve a measure of order, without which chaos and anarchy would reign.

Jehovah expects his people to respect human governments and be subject to them, but their subjection is not without limits.

Paul here explains that there would not be any human authority if God did not permit it. In that sense the superior authorities have a relative position within the framework of God's purpose. It therefore follows that "he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God." While citizens who do good may receive praise from the superior authorities, these authorities are also empowered to administer punishment against wrongdoers.

Taking a modified oath of allegiance may be in harmony with the principle found at Romans 13:1, which says: “Let every person be in subjection to the superior authorities.”

Our relative subjection to the superior authorities is part of Jehovah’s temporary arrangement to maintain order. Therefore, we must “render to all their dues,” including taxes, respect, and obedience.