respecting appointed authorities

[mosheli]

I have a question about the verses Romans 13:18 which I saw quoted somewhere else yesterday.

"Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same, for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn't bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God's service, attending continually on this very thing. Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor." (Romans 13:1-8.)

"Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work," Titus 3:1.

"but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries;" 2 Peter 2:10.

"Yet in like manner these also in their dreaming defile the flesh, despise authority, and slander celestial beings." Jude 8.

"You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above." John 19:11.

Firstly, what about when the authorities are doing bad/evil/wrong/unjust things? What is the balance between respecting them but not accepting or agreeing with their bad things?
I can understand respecting their abilities and office and authority to discipline bad/criminal things, but in my experience they are letting some people get away with doing wrongs and they have even been doing wrongs themselves (like forced fluoridation, housing crisis caused by their policies, mass unemployment caused by their policies, abortion, purposely refusing to stop this ringing sound in my flat from neighbours, etc).

And/or what does "authority" mean?

And how come Paul speaks as if we are all bad or slaves and the authorities are all good?

(Note: A post I saw yesterday had this Romans 13:1 verse with a picture of parliament, but I realize that authorities are not just the government.
Authorities may also include parents, head of household, teachers/principal at school, judges in court, police officer, city councilors, boss at work, pastors, commanding officer in army, head of state (king/queen, president, governor), head of government, minister, captain of ship/aeroplane, landlord, master.)

Second question, I find it very hard to see how some authorities are appointed by God when they have only gotten authority by human means/methods and when they are doing ungodly/bad things. I can see that all their abilities were ultimately created by God, but the verses seem to be meaning more than just that?

"The devil said to him, 'I will give you all this authority, and their glory, for it has been delivered to me; and I give it to whomever I want. If you therefore will worship before me, it will all be yours.'" Luke 4:6-7

"The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. They worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast," Revelation/Apocalypse 13:2-4.

Third how does the verses about respecting or submitting to authority/authorities and authorities being appointed/given by God square with this verse:

"But Jesus summoned them, and said, "You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be (or let him be) your servant. (Matthew 20:25-26, Mark 10:42-43, Luke 22:25-26)

and

"give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's".

[alon]

This deserves more than just a quick response, and I am only getting to it a bit before midnight on Erev Shabbat. Moreover, if I am able to go in to shul tomorrow I'll likely be there most of the day. So I will get to this, but it may take a bit. Meanwhile, if anyone else wishes to comment, feel free. This is a tough, but very timely question giving all that is going on in the world.

Dan C

[alon]

mosheli, I will try to answer some of your questions in the peshat, or simple, literal meaning. But Romans 13 is a tough nut to crack, and I do not want to rush that. I will say that reading the English translations and Christian commentaries you will get a completely false idea of what Rav Shaul is saying. But parsing out the entire chapter is going to take time. And really I should be doing even more, but time constraints being what they are I cannot. So I'll give you this quick answer to some of your questions, and ask you hold further questions until I finish with Romans 13. Here they are:

mosheli said:
I have a question about the verses Romans 13:18 which I saw quoted somewhere else yesterday.
Work in progress; already up to just the initial workup on verse 5 ...

...

"Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work," Titus 3:1.
In Titus Rav Shaul is laying out our halacha, the way we walk in accordance with the scriptures. It’s a difficult book for me, because it goes against my very nature. But it does us no good to fight against the powers that be until it’s time, as ordained by God. There is a ’60’s song that goes “I fought the law and the law won.” Go at them on your own and that pretty much is how it goes. You are at the mercy of the beast you hate. Even when the people rise in a just cause, as in the Bar Kochba war not much after this was written, it can be difficult to know what to do. R Akiva demanded everyone kneel and declare Shimon Bar’Kochba to be ha’moshiach. The Notsarim couldn’t do that and most left. Those that stayed and refused were beaten horribly or killed. Sometimes the same beast has control of both sides. Better to just flee to Pella as they were instructed.

"but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries;" 2 Peter 2:10.
Speaks of the heart condition of those of us who would trash authorities. Speak out against what they do or what their policies are, but do not denigrate them personally.

"Yet in like manner these also in their dreaming defile the flesh, despise authority, and slander celestial beings." Jude 8.
These all speak to anarchists, or at least people whose actions may lead to anarchy. I was once like this. I was so bad with my taxes I got audited every year. But A) my wife (who is from Derbyshire) got tired of worrying and put her foot down. We now have someone else (a pro) do our taxes. What I discovered is I am so poor, it didn’t make much difference anyhow! And I loath paperwork, so … is what it is now. But mainly, I either trust God or I don’t; either I do as He says or I don’t. And I do.

"You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above." John 19:11.
HaShem, for His own reasons grants certain powers to ha’satan. But He puts limits on him. Job is the authoritative book on this topic. It’s short; you should read and study it.

Firstly, what about when the authorities are doing bad/evil/wrong/unjust things? What is the balance between respecting them but not accepting or agreeing with their bad things?
I can understand respecting their abilities and office and authority to discipline bad/criminal things, but in my experience they are letting some people get away with doing wrongs and they have even been doing wrongs themselves (like forced fluoridation, housing crisis caused by their policies, mass unemployment caused by their policies, abortion, purposely refusing to stop this ringing sound in my flat from neighbours, etc).
In a practical sense, these authorities are the ones responsible for keeping order. Just some do a better job than others. Some do a very poor job, however consider that in every society the ungodly have always outnumbered the godly. Even the just freed Hebrews grumbled against Moshe, and Korach had much support for his rebellion. Concerning the calf, many of the godly Hebrews allowed themselves to be pressured into acting in an ungodly manner. So whenever possible we should respect authority. That is love for our fellow man. Look at what is happening today, where we have the left borrowing from the playbook of every modern leftist from Hitler (he was a socialist) to Stalin to Castro and the entire lineup of 20th cen despots who first destabilize government by undermining authority and the rule of law. The result has been untold millions upon millions more people murdered in that century alone. So while we may fight against an evil government or official (overtly, covertly, or through civil disobedience), we must never completely undermine the rule of law.

"The devil said to him, 'I will give you all this authority, and their glory, for it has been delivered to me; and I give it to whomever I want. If you therefore will worship before me, it will all be yours.'" Luke 4:6-7
Key here is when ha’satan says “it has been delivered to me.” He has no authority not “given” him by God. That tends to just slip past us when we read, however there is only One Self Sufficient Being who needs none other to grant Him any authority! He was offering something not his to give anyhow (he lied). God granted him authority in the lands where the people allowed it, but not everywhere, and not forever. That same Yeshua reclaimed what was His; and He will be coming back to claim it outright, and here is nothing ha’satan can do to stop Him.

And/or what does "authority" mean?
(Note: A post I saw yesterday had this Romans 13:1 verse with a picture of parliament, but I realize that authorities are not just the government.
Authorities may also include parents, head of household, teachers/principal at school, judges in court, police officer, city councilors, boss at work, pastors, commanding officer in army, head of state (king/queen, president, governor), head of government, minister, captain of ship/aeroplane, landlord, master.)
G1849   ἐξουσία exousia- ability; privilege, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: - authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
-- I’d say it means anyone who because of power, position, connections, knowledge, intimidation, or any other reason    exercises any degree of control over you or your life.

And how come Paul speaks as if we are all bad or slaves and the authorities are all good?
I don’t think that is what he means here at all. Just that even Rome was better than anarchy.

Second question, I find it very hard to see how some authorities are appointed by God when they have only gotten authority by human means/methods and when they are doing ungodly/bad things. I can see that all their abilities were ultimately created by God, but the verses seem to be meaning more than just that?
Daniel 4:25 that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.

God may at His discretion place rulers in power or remove them. He may also influence their decisions. He “rules the kingdom of men.” However He may allow us to exercise self will and pick ungodly rulers. I believe the US may have just been allowed to pick our own path to judgement, for example. Now anger would say ”Blame God, and in defiance to Him rise up in civil war.” I must admit that is my go-to response (though I wouldn’t last long an old, broken down man facing tanks with a machete and Molotov cocktail). However love takes a gentler path that might have the added bonus of a few more years on earth for me. Doesn’t mean I can’t resist, just that I don’t jump up and start filling bottles with gas just yet. But I definitely do resist the evil I see in my own country today on both sides of the aisle (we conservatives are not without sin, and love first looks inward before blaming others, no matter how bad they are). We need to clean up our own house before we can ask the Almighty to go before us.

"The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. They worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast," Revelation/Apocalypse 13:2-4.
Any ruler may give some of his authority to another. Recall Pharoah gave almost all his authority to Joseph after he interpreted the leaders’ dreams.

Third how does the verses about respecting or submitting to authority/authorities and authorities being appointed/given by God square with this verse:
"But Jesus summoned them, and said, "You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be (or let him be) your servant. (Matthew 20:25-26, Mark 10:42-43, Luke 22:25-26)
That speaks to how they conduct their affairs within their own group/congregations. It is comparing how earthly rulers tend to lord over their subjects. Ours is to be more a familial relationship, and thus just ruling by decree is not the way. In a properly functioning family a parent more gives instructions; they do exercise authority, but “orders” are meant also to teach. Parents should also insure fairness and provision. The dynamic is necessarily a bit different in a large group from different backgrounds (sects), but the principles are the same. In fact, one principle of leadership that usually gets overlooked is a leader is more a servant to his people than he is to them. That principle is to be a guiding light within the assemblies which serve the Most High God.

and

"give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's".
Just what it says. Caesar levies taxes, much of which like our own governments in the UK and US get used for things we find reprehensible. The Pharisees were probably just testing to see if Yeshua was the Messiah, or at least a great rabbi as reports said Him to be. But the Herodians (probably Sadducees) wanted to trick Him and discredit His teachings. It would be the Pharisees who marveled at His words, but the Sadducees/Herodians would have been disappointed, and probably angry. They certainly would not have found His statement “marvelous.”

This should also be referenced back to my reply on John 19:11.

I hope this helps. The main points are covered in more detail in my pending response to Romans 13. That should answer most questions you may have, but as I said it may take some time.

Dan 

[alon]

Note: You may wish to read this with an English Bible handy. I omited the ESV translation of ch 13 for brevity, and the heavily modified OJB verses may be a bit tough to understand. But read together with a standard translation they should help correct some of the misunderstanding we have grown so accustomed to. For ease of understanding, modified OJB verses are in TEAL, unmodified (or very little modification ESV, unless otherwise noted) verses are in BLUE, quotes are in GREEN, and the rest of the text is BLACK. The format is in note form as a.) I worked from notes, so that was easiest to do, and b.) I think it is easier to understand. Hope this helps.



Romans 13

mosheli said: I have a question about the verses Romans 13:18 …

First off I think we must consider this in context with the entire chapter, all the book that has preceded this passage, and in fact with all of scripture, as you have already been doing. Just as important we must learn to deal with biblical principles as well as the plain text. We must also apply PaRDeS; we are especially looking for the deeper meanings here.

Lastly, historical context is of great importance as well. The need of Rav Shaul's dissertation of the proper attitude of believers toward the state emanated from from several important factors. The Jews under the Roman tyranny longed to escape it so that they could worship freely as their God had intended. They had undertook several bloody insurrections against Roman authority. The question of submission to a government like Rome was the most burning question of the day. And not long after Shaul wrote this missive to the assembly in Rome the Bar Kochba Revolt resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem by Vespasian and Titus. The set of the Notsarim participated in this revolt until R Akiva declared Shimon bar’Kochba to be ha’moshiach and they fled to Pella.

The sect of the Notsarim were persecuted by Rome, and now the Jews because they gave their allegiance to Messiah Yeshua. So it was important their mindset should conform to a strict pattern of respect and submission to lawful government. Otherwise, the whole early Messianic movement might have been destroyed at this time.

The other thing this separation accomplished was it set God’s people, those believers both Jew and Gentile who chose to be obedient to His Torah from the rest of the world; Jews, Gentiles, and even the new churches now just starting to form (but in no way yet coalesced).

There were certain practices which might have encouraged these believers (new and old) to hate the state. Disputes, legal and otherwise were to circumvent courts of pagan justice and settle, as far as possible among themselves.

1 Corinthians 6:1-4 When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the ἅγιος hagios consecrated, saints?  Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?  Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!  So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the ἐκκλησία ekklēsia assembly, congregation?

They did not participate in festivals and ceremonies for deification of the emperor, and were therefore deemed enemies of Rome. There was also was the evil nature of the Roman government, almost universally hated for institutions of imperial power which showed little or no pity or mercy. To the Notsarim Rome, with its debauchery, gluttony, and dissipation looked to be the seat of ha’satan himself!

This is the climate which underlies and informs Shaul's instructions in this thirteenth chapter. The entreating tone of the previous chapter yields to the authority of the shaliach tzibur, the commanding tone of an apostle. Given that, let’s get to the real question you are asking; one that has been asked many times before: “Does this mean we must be obedient to evil rulers?”

1 Peter 2:13-17 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution [every institution ordained for people], whether it be to the emperor [Or king] as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants [δοῦλος doulos- bond (-man), servant] of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

However the greater answer is in the foundation as set in the first few verses of this chapter. The order of rule is established with HaShem's position over all, hence any subsequent rule is subject to Him. Also we must consider this in context with all Rav Shaul’s writings (and indeed, all scripture):
- Acts 5:29b “We must obey God rather than men.”
- Acts 4:18-20 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them,  “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen  and heard.”
- Matthew 15:6b-9 So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word [law] of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of  you, when he said: 
 “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
- Matthew 10:37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not  worthy of me.
- Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- Psalm 55:23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days.  But I will trust in you.
- Colossians 2:15-16 He disarmed the rulers and authorities [Probably demonic rulers and authorities] and put them to open shame, by  triumphing over them in him [Or in it (that is, the cross)]. Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with  regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
---note: it is Jews and Messainics who keep these days
- Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the  elemental spirits [Or elementary principles] of the world, and not according to Christ.
Just a few of the many verses on this topic.

Having laid out our relational responsibilities with both believers and non-believers in chapter 12, Shaul now gives us our halachah (the way we walk) with regards to the state (and others). Messianic Judaism is a religion of trust and action; either devoid of the other leads to sin. Nowhere do we see trust IN action more clearly than in regards to the government. We must keep all this in mind as we parse out ch. 13 of Rav Shaul’s Letter to the Romans.

The verses following are heavily modified by looking at different translations, reference books, and research, because a proper reading will give a better understanding. We tend to make too many assumptions based on reading through the English text, so here is one thoughtful interpretation (not an “official” one, and I am far from being a biblical scholar- but I read some references from some very smart people). Scriptures are from the OJB, but as I said, heavily modified, or the ESV if unmodified, unless otherwise noted:

[alon]

Romans 13 (OJB/ESV/DNC)

1 Let kol nefesh (every soul, person ψυχή psuchē) be subject to the official ὑπερέχω huperechō higher governing authorities (Hebrew elohim). For there is no ἐξουσία exousia (power, ruler; Hebrew Elohim) except given by Hashem, and the ἐξουσία exousia powers (elohim, other powers, both human and supernatural) that be have been established by G-d (Elohim).
- The Hebrew equivalent to the Greek ψυχή psuchē is “nefesh,” refering to the entire being: soul, breath, spirit.

Note the first occurrence of the term “ἐξουσία exousia/elohim” is rendered in the plural and lower case, meaning any rulers, force, magistrate, potentate. The second rendering is however read in the singular reflecting all the power and majesty of high office. Contextually this would refer to the HaMoshiach Yeshua. That’s why it’s followed by a statement about the existing “rulers,” plural, small “elohim.” This is a similar distinction to that made by Yeshua:
- Tehillim 82:6 (OJB) I have said, elohim ye are; and all of you are Bnei HaElyon, sons of the Most High God.
--- all elohim/rulers are subject to Elohim who is THE Ruler.

2 So then, he who opposes the Ruler/Authority/Messiah has rebelled against the ordinance/official decree of God; and those who resist (they who have rebelled) shall receive mishpat (judgment, condemnation) on themselves.
- This speaks of salvation:
-- There is no longer condemnation for those in Messiah Yeshua. (Romans 8:1)
--- Therefore the ordinance of God and submission to Yeshua the Messiah is our salvation, whereby we receive the gift of God.
--- Resisting that gift is the road to wrath and condemnation.

3-4a For ἄρχων archōn rulers/magistrates are not a cause of pachad (terror) to hitnahagut (conduct) that is of HaTov (good, the Ruler, ha-El, Messiah) but ha’ rah (evil). Do you want to be without pachad of memshalah (ἐξουσία exousia, God)? Do HaTov (what is good), and you will have the commendation of the representative from the αὐτός autos (the same). For He (Yeshua HaMoshiach) is the minister of God, sent to you for good.
- This begins with a different term for ruling figures, “ἄρχων archōn;” a ruler in submission to the Ruler, HaShem. The very next verse clearly  refers back to Messiah rather than Father because “the Ruler” is said to be “the minister of God.”
- 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.”
--- Fear of punishment is the result of refusing God’s gift of salvation.
--- The way to avoid fear is to receive Yeshua.
----- This in turn will encourage right action in the believer. 

4b But if you do ha’rah (what is evil), be afraid; for he (the Ruler) does not bear the cherev sword (symbol of authority) for nothing; for He is the mesharet of Hashem, the minister of God, one who carries out justice resulting in ὀργή orgē wrath (For he is an avenger for charon af wrath) on those who continue to practice evil.
- Clearly here the “minister of God” refers not to earthly rulers, but to HaMoshiach Yeshua.
- Shaul here is looking to the end of the age when wrath will be meted out to those who practise evil and resist God’s gift of salvation.
- Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
- Romans 2:8 but for those who are self-seeking [ contentious] and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
- Romans 4:15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.
- Romans 9:22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
- Romans 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

5 Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only on account of the orgē or-gay’ (charon af, “wrath”) of Hashem, but also on account of matzpun (conscience, the Spirit speaking within us).
- Prior to this “ὀργή orgē” only references the wrath of God in Romans. It’s likely it is used here in reference to God’s judgement as well; not  to an earthly authority.
-- We should not expect to go undisciplined if we willfully sin. We, like Paul represent God before earthly authorities. We are to be a picture of  proper social law before men.
--- God’s wrath against our ungodliness as believers is a form of discipline However for the unbelievers to whom we should be a witness it will be eternal damnation and punishment.
--- We as believers are compelled out of love to act rightly according to the rule of law in the land in which we reside and that of the olam hazeh (present age).

[alon]

Shaul has established that the Messiah, being God has absolute dominion. He now gives us practical examples of submission to the legal authorities that govern civilized society:

6 For that is why you also pay tribute (taxes). For they (those in authority) are mesharetim (servants) of God engaged in this very task (the running of earthly government).
7 Render to everyone their due: tribute to whom tribute is due, tax to whom tax; fear to whom fear is due, respect (honour) to whom respect.
8 Owe, be indebted, obligated nothing to anyone except a choiv (debt) of ahavah (love); for he who has ahavah has fulfilled the Torah.
9 For the mitzvoh (commandments, instructions), LO TIN’AF, LO TIRTZACH, LO TIGNOV, LO TACHMOD,(“You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,”) SHEMOT 20:13-15,17; DEVARIM 5:17-19,21) and any other of the mitzvot is akitzur (restated, in summary), in this dvar Torah (word or teaching of Torah), V’AHAVTA L’RE’ACHA KAMOCHA ("You shall love your neighbor as yourself" VAYIKRA 19:18.)
- Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
- Jeremiah 29:7But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

- We must remember, no one is in authority without the approval of God.
--- Shaul calls on the ecclesia in Rome as well as us to act justly in situations governed by societal law, providing it doesn’t compromise Ha’Moshiach’s Torah.
---- In refraining from evil we are witnesses of Yeshua both to those in authority and those they govern.
---- Trust that HaShem will use our posture towards authority for the advancement of His kingdom.
-- According to Dr. David Stern there is an Aramaic saying used in Judaism, “Dina dimalkuta dina,” “The law of the kingdom is law,"” and is to be obeyed as if commanded by God.
--- If you owe anyone a debt, pay it.
--- If tax is what funds the smooth running of government, pay them.
--- If customs duties protect the nation, pay them.
--- If you live in a Representative Republic (US) or a democracy (UK), vote.
--- If anything required of you as a citizen helps you live peacefully—providing it doesn’t compromise Torah—do it.
-- Yeshua, as God, arbitrates everything and everyone.
--- He will settle all disputes and problems according to His will and purpose; according to His Torah.


These are all instructions concerning our conduct toward government and other people.
- Matthew 22:36-37,39-40  “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. … And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
- Galatians 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
-- “Shaul’s point in these verses is not to abrogate specific commands but to show that loving one’s neighbor, which is the pervading theme from 12:9 to here, must underlie all halakhic applications and will, when appropriated by the power of the Ruach HaKodesh, lead to right behavior in daily life. This is how love is the fullness of Torah- not by superseding it, but through being the beginning, the end, and the motivating force at work in it.” Dr. David Stern.
--- We should avoid the arbitrary nature of the law as well as misguided “love-fest” so many indulge themselves in.
--- Spirit fueled love is not just emotions and feelings; it is “love in action,” implying study, thoughtful discernment, and doing as instructed.

This echoes the teaching of Messiah (Mark 12:28-34), affirming a principle that the Jewish Talmudic scholar Hillel also recognized:
10 ἀγάπη agapē (love, affection or benevolence) does no wrong to the re’a neighbor; therefore the fulfillment of the Torah is ahavah (love).
- Note the “law” spoken of here is God’s law; his Torah.
-- Not the laws of men.
- “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour. That is the whole Torah. The rest is commentary.” –Hillel, tractate Shabbat

[alon]

11a   Do this, knowing that in the olam hazeh (present time), that it is already the hour for you to wake up from sheynah (sleep),
- Vs. 11 repeats metaphors which contrast evil and good: sleep/death and salvation, night and day, darkness and light.
- Here Shaul relates the olam hazeh (present time, present world), our current reality (life) to death, using the sleep metaphor which is common in rabbinical teaching.
--- He is saying “Stop living as though you are still dead like those living under wrath, you’re not, you’re a new creation,” says Shaul/Paul, “act like those who are awake (already alive eternally in Messiah).” R. Yaakov Brown
- The urgency of this present time gives right actions even more gravid (weighty) significance.

11b for now is Yeshu’at Eloheinu nearer to us than when we first became ma’aminim (believers). 12 The Lailah night (of the old epoch) is far advanced, and HaYom [Yom HaDin, the Day of Judgment] is imminent (at hand). Let us therefore take off the works of darkness, and let us put on the ὅπλον hoplon (shield; Heb neshek armor, weapons) of φῶς phōs (to shine or make manifest, especially by rays; fire, light: Heb ohr- light; to illuminate, expose, lay bare, unhidden, revealed, shine, luminous).
- The return of Yeshua, our resurrection and the olam haba (world to come) is much nearer that we think.
- This was originally written to encourage believers undergoing unbelievable persecution from all quarters-
--- government- Rome
--- business- guilds to which they were excluded because of licentious practices ruled trades and commerce
--- people- hated by the new so called “Christian” churches now forming, the Jews, and the average Gentile alike
the Notsarim were harassed and oppressed on all sides.
-- The night, a metaphor for the olam hazeh and the damnable acts of humanity, is reaching its end.
-- The day, representing the olam haba is very close in terms of G-d’s eternal plan.
-- Though seemingly far off, we should view our position from HaShem’s perspective.
--- The darkness, like the night will end.
--- The dawn approaches.
- We as believers put aside deeds of darkness because we understand our position in Yeshua.
- 1 John 1:5b God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
-- Everything is seen and will be exposed by Him
--- Psalm 139:12 (KJV) Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
--- Luke 8:17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.

This is encouragement to take heart. Our present suffering is only temporary, but by how we comport ourselves we may be a witness to others that they may be saved.
- Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
-- The shield of light reflects our trust in G-d, that His light will expose everything for what it is.
--- It shields us from darkness/lies/attacks.
--- Our actions born of trust will shield us from punishment, or even the condemnation of those who do evil.
--- Our right action born of trust, shields us.
- John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

13 Let us halach walk properly (εὐσχημόνως euschēmonōs; decorously, decently, honestly) as in ha’yom the daytime, not in κῶμος kōmos revelling, rioting and shichrut (μέθη methē intoxication drunkenness), not in zenut (κοίτη koitē fornication) and ἀσέλγεια aselgeia licentiousness (sometimes including other vices); filthy, lasciviousness, wantonness debauchery) and zimmah licentiousness, not in merivah (ἔρις eris strife) and ζῆλος zēlos quarreling, envy and anochiyut selfishness and kinah jealousy.
- The way we think and act are to be made one in Messiah.
-- Galatians 3:26-27 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
--- The way we walk, halachah, has been an essential part of Judaism from ancient days.
- Allow Ha’Ohr the Light to illuminate your halachah.
-- Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
- We must be intentional about our behavior.
-- Orgies and drunkenness, sexual immorality, sensuality, and even quarreling and jealousy were associated to idolatry in ancient Roman culture.
--- They are no less idolatrous today.
-- If we understand the blasphemous nature of these we might be far less likely to entertain them as either thoughts or (God forbid) actions.
- Putting on Messiah, our light is how we resist these kinds of thoughts and actions.
-- John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
-- Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

14 But clothe yourselves with Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yeshua Adoneinu and make no provision for the σάρξ sarx (flesh; human nature: Heb basar, old fallen nature), to satisfy its ἐπιθυμία epithumia (longing, especially for what is forbidden), desire, lust: Heb ta’avot, sinful lusts.
- Walking purposefully in His light we are clothed with a truth that exposes the darkness of men’s souls.
-- Our love for God and His for us constrains us, necessitating that we see ourselves as surrounded by the tallit of Yeshua,
-- It’s the light in which we pray, in which we walk, the light that wraps us securely in steadfast love, trust, and devotion.
-- His light is our shield, a double portion of security in Adonai.
- Isaiah 61:10a I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

Mekarot: I took from several sources; my notes from teachings and research, the Original Jewish Bible for its Hebrew terms which give better understanding than the plain English; the ESV and NASB for their faithful interpretation (within limits of Christian doctrine) and extensive and honest notes, along with other translations for comparison; different search engines and reference books and websites; but most notably I wish to acknowledge R Yaakov Brown (a Jewish, Messianic Rabbi) whose excellent treatise on ch 13 I used as a base, modified and expanded on.

[mystic]

Great question Moshelli, I have often considered this especially whenever politics rears it's ugly head. So let me give some examples, Abortion, if one Government says it's ok to do it, should we respect that authority? Or another, were the soldiers of Hitler's regime accountable for obeying his authority? Are ALL members of the Churches which don't keep the Sabbath doing the right thing by following the Churches Authority even though the Churches Authorities have changed God's day of worship?

[alon]

Jul 31, 2021 7:55:41 GMT -8 mystic said:

Great question Moshelli, I have often considered this especially whenever politics rears it's ugly head. So let me give some examples, Abortion, if one Government says it's ok to do it, should we respect that authority? Or another, were the soldiers of Hitler's regime accountable for obeying his authority? Are ALL members of the Churches which don't keep the Sabbath doing the right thing by following the Churches Authority even though the Churches Authorities have changed God's day of worship?

It is not well known, but German commanders could refuse to imprison or kill Jews. Some did, and nothing happened to them. They just sent in more SS. Those who physically asserted themselves when the SS was rounding up Jews were however punished.

Those not keeping Shabbat will have to give account to God. What their fate/punishment will be I don't know.

And yes, when our government does evil we are to oppose it. Possibly even revolt as the Maccabees did. But that is not a thing to be taken lightly. Neither is it a thing to be shirked if the time should come.