Note here in Romans 13 that the word soul is used rather than man or body. In law the soul of a living individual would include both the corporeal and incorporeal hereditaments of personality [that is to say rights that can be inherited, both tangible and intangible]. Those rights cease when our breath ceases and life, granted by God, stops. This Greek word is translated soul 58 times, life 40 times, also mind 3 and heart 1 time. It is not the same as the word spirit which is concerned with the motivation, power and character of the individual and is commonly translated from pneuma.
      The word 'subject' is from the word hupotasso and means to "obey; to submit to one's control, to yield to one's admonition or advice;" The word higher is similar and is from huperecho "to have or hold over one" and denotes a higher position or rank.
      The verse clearly has to do with the fact that all life is subject to one system of authority, such as, the authority of God over man or another such as the cities or civil authorities of men like Cain, Lemeck, Nimrod, Pharaoh, Caesar, etc.
      The word 'power' is translated from excousia. It is an adverb that was translated many different ways 69 times 'power', 29 authority, twice right, once liberty, 1 jurisdiction, 1 strength. The word has to do with the "power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases". It is also the "the power of rule or government such as jurisdiction imposes"
      The word is used by the Centurion when talking to Jesus in Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority [excousia], having soldiers under me: and I say to this [man], Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth [it].
      Here it clearly denotes not just rank but the power of choice. The Greek word hupo is seldom translated under. The Greek phrase under authority is from hupo exousia meaning of the power of choice or by authority.

Excousia also appears in Matthew 7:29 where it refers to Jesus being in authority. "For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes." Jesus spoke freely and did not depend on the dogma or dictates of the Pharisees.
      The Centurion was a man of authority over men because they had taken oaths to obey while the Centurion as an officer also had taken an oath to obey for a term of years. They were bound in a system of rank and authority, not so much that his office came from God over men but because he and men by oath had gone under a system of rules. God holds us to our words.

Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Proverbs 6:2
      The Centurion's authority came from Caesar because he had bound himself under the authority of Caesar, while Jesus' authority came from His Father.
      The last word to examine is tasso translated ordained which is found 8 times in the Bible and is translated in the KJV appoint 3 times, ordain 2, set 1, determine 1, addict 1. Its meaning is "to put in order", or "to appoint on one's own responsibility or authority" but also "to appoint mutually, i.e. agree upon".
      So it is very clear by only these few quotes that much authority whether Governmental or otherwise is granted by consent. It is our consent according to the Law of God that authority is often ordained.
      Some people believe that this one verse [Romans 13:1] in the Bible sentences all men to the authority of arbitrary rulers and governments as if all "governments" as institutions of force are of God and that they can do no wrong. Nothing could be farther from the truth and opposed to God's plan..
      Jesus also said in Luke 12:11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and [unto] magistrates, and powers [excousia], take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
      So, at least it seems clear by this statement that Jesus assumed Christians would be brought before magistrates and powers or authorities as well as religious leaders of the day for one complaint or another. If early Christians were bound to obey the ruling authorities then why did those early Christians have such problems with persecutions? After all freedom of religion was an integral part of Roman Government.
      Peter does seem to contradict the idea of submission to men or at least absolute submission in Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, 'We ought to obey God rather than men."
      But Romans was written by Paul who again uses excousia in 1 Corinthians 6:9 when he says: "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power (1850) of any." Here Paul is saying he will not go under the 'power' of any. This seems to be in accordance with Peter who is saying to be under God's authority and obey it rather than men. Paul helps us this with another statement in 1Corinthians 7:21. "Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather."
      Paul is encouraging us to get out from underneath authority if we can. I am sure he is not saying to do anything dishonest like don't pay your taxes or don't obey the laws of the country you live in. But he is saying to not go under any extra authority and if you can lesson the amount of authority/influence of men you are under then do so.
      Yes, we may have gone under authority by taking an oath or participating in some mutual welfare program involving our submission or the relinquishment of rights but Jesus clearly advises against this in Matthew 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
      And he goes on to say concerning binding oaths that "Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."
      This is a very strong warning by it self. But this warning is again emphasized in James 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

      The word 'fall' is from pipto meaning " to descend from a higher place to a lower" and is often used as a " metaphor to fall under judgment, came under condemnation". By not going under additional authorities by participation or overt binding commitments we remain free to serve God in a clear unrestricted conscience.
      The word swear is from omnuo which does mean "to swear" but also includes "to affirm, promise," even "threaten, with an oath"
      To add to the word 'yes' is so dangerous in the area of granting power, authority or jurisdiction Jesus said no matter "... whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." These warning are clearly a continuation of the Old Testament, which stated this idea over and over. I mean Abraham left Ur, Israelites was brought out of Egypt, living for hundreds of years without a king and warned by Samuel what to expect from men who form a ruling state consisting of men over men. And other examples, such as Solomon's Proverb 23 statement "When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat."
      In Psalms 69:22 David says "Let their table become a snare before them:and [that which should have been] for [their] welfare, [let it become] a trap." Which we find again is Romans 11 where Paul repeats the statement concerning the Gentiles
      Or the constant reminders in the Old Testament not to make covenants with strangers and heathens.
      Jesus again amplifies this idea of tempering the word of your mouth to prevent going under tribute in the episode where Peter misstated that Jesus' and his followers were subject to the jurisdiction of the tribute tax.

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. Matthew 17:24, 27

      Why did God bring men out of earthly kingdoms and lead them away from the rule of men through out the Old Testament and then suddenly in the New Testament say that we should go under the authority of any and all governments and rulers. The fact is he did not.
      God wanted and still wants man to be ruled by him directly. But where is this body of Christians ruled by God? Jesus said, "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; " Luke 22:29
      Where is this kingdom he appointed?
      Jesus gave authority to his apostles and stated in Mark 13:34 [For the Son of man is] as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
      Did Jesus tell us how we are supposed to operate in that kingdom appointed by him until his final return?
      "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth." Luke 22:25, 27
      So, where is that kingdom appointed by Jesus? Isn't it the Church?
      Jesus was a king and Kings are the heads of governments, they are the higher authority. If he was a king then those who followed him were under his jurisdiction and the jurisdiction of those he appointed.
      Even Rome recognized Jesus as a King. And governments of today define the Church as, "In its most general sense, the religious society founded and established by Jesus Christ, to receive, preserve, and propagate his doctrines and ordinances.
      A body or community of Christians, united under one form of government by the profession of one faith, and the observance of the same rituals and ceremonies." Black's Law Dictionary 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th eds.

Do we recognize Jesus as King and serve his appointed kingdom or do we only give him lipservice in government approved Churches?

      Most people who are calling themselves Christians have been going more and more under the authority of worldly man made governments that they cannot recognize the "one form of government" the Church operates under.
      The problem is that the Church is not a government like that of the other nations who exercise authority one over the other. This has lead people to think that God's kingdom is not on this earth. Jesus never said that.
      The Church has ministers, servant, preachers etc but the idea that we are to obey them without question is absurd. We know false preachers will come and there we would be doing what they tell us to do because they tell us they are the authority. They might even appoint kings over us or lead us under the authority of others. They might tell us to be content as a servant rather than to care not for it as Paul said.
      Which of course most of the Churches have been doing for years. The average US citizen pays more than twice what the Israelites paid under Pharaoh when they were called slaves.
      Employ vs Enslave
      We often think our times and government is so much more different than back then.

      Is it?

      In the Old Testament the words "gods" and "God" are translated from the single word 'elohiym in the plural. 'Elohiym is defined "rulers, judges" and "occasionally applied as deference to magistrates" while in the New Testament the word God is translated from the Greek word theos which figuratively means "a magistrate." Check your Strong's Concordance.
      The word god is an office not a name and if people were calling judges god because they had a ruling authority to judge a man then we have strange gods all over the US.
      In 29 B.C. Gaius Octavianus marched into Rome as the savior of the Republic and was given the title of Augustus by the Senate. He was then legally granted, under constitutional forms and limitations by an electoral vote, the position Emperator, which is translated commander in chief [Emperator, emperatoris m.commander in chief Collins L.E. Dict. '62.] of all military and naval forces, for a period of ten years. He could set foreign policy and establish treaties. Each year he could also be elected consul (chief executive officer, principas civitas) and ApoTheos (appointer of magistrate, literal translation is originator of gods), swearing another binding oath of office. Augustus as Emperator had dropped his position of Consul of Rome for almost 18 years while he settled disputes as a sort of combination N.A.T.O, U.N. and U.S. military multi national force all rolled into one. He kept banking, trade and commerce prospering throughout the world and received great praise and adoration for the accomplishment. "Thus the republic was restored under the presidency of its 'first citizen' (princeps civitatis)." [Encyclopedia Britanica Vol 2, p. 687, '53.] note the word UNDER!

Rome vs US

      Today's the president of the US is the Commander in chief of the military, the Emperor of the US military around the world. there is a difference, he has an air force and can rain fire from the sky. As first citizen, he is the chief executive officer of Washington, called the president. He also can appoints federal justices throughout the federal empire, who then sits as theos or judges or gods of its citizenry. After all the President has issued an edict with his authority that the Federal government can, "define the moral, political, and legal character of their [citizens of the US] lives." Executive Orders [13083 May 14, 1998]

Emperor speaks

If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. Joshua 24:20

      So, now we have no King but Caesar, too.

      You can't have two kings, you will end up despising one or the other.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3

      The Latin word pater means father. It was used everyday as a title of address in reference to the Senators of Rome and of course the Emperor and before him the pro council was referred to as the father of the senate and therefore eventually the Empire. Also in the Greek text of the Bible we find Pater meaning father. So we can assume that the people of the day when they heard the word pater they thought of one of several ideas. Either they were talking about their genetic father or their fathers in Rome or their father in heaven. " And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." (Matthew 23:9)
      To make such a statement was a shock to those who thought man's governments and the Roman political and judicial system, its peace and commerce was good for society and business. It would be like saying call no man on earth president.
      The U.S. presidency today, once elected, sets foreign relations and makes treaties, he is the commander in chief of the military and naval forces, he appoints the supreme court including the chief justice in much the same way as they did in Rome.1

The emperors were often referred to as gods using the words Apo Theos.

      Not because any one believed that they created heaven and earth but because they were the chief magistracy and ruler of the people appointing judges throughout the empire.2

      ...Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matt 6:9,13)

      Most government leaders today are not called pater or father with the words of the mouth although they offer us new covenants and contracts and those who wrote the constitution for the United states are referred to as the founding fathers.
      It is not so strange to think of the Roman Emperors as gods when you realize that George Washington himself was deified in the ceiling of the capital dome. "Across the Dome's eye, 180 feet above the floor, spreads a gigantic allegorical painting by the Italian artist Constantino Brumidi. The painting depicts the 'Apotheosis,' or glorification, of George Washington. Surrounding Washington is sweeping circles are delicately colored figures--some 15 feet tall. They include gods and goddesses [among them Ceres, Vulcan, Mercury, Neptune, Minerva and 13 State goddesses] pictured as protectors of American ideals and progress."3
      Did God ordain (i.e., dictate, decree, impose) the United States Federal Democracy or any other government? Or was it ordained by false gods of man's vain imagination? "If we will not be governed by God, then we will be ruled by tyrants." William Penn.
      As God allowed Samuel to choose a king for His people because they had already turned from God, so also He allows man to choose his own rulers if he does not choose to be ruled by God. In the hearts and minds and souls there is a turning away from The God. Everyday men make other men their father through application, service and adoption. Instead of their Father, the LORD God Eternal Ruler, in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, they turn to other rulers being reborn to new fathers.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. How be it then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? (Gal 4:6,9)

      We often hear Christians say they believe and they are followers of the word of God, but are they true to His word?

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Mt.7:21)
      Are we choosing a new father that loves us not. Are we denying the Father of us all, being born into that new father's jurisdiction/kingdom?
      Did you ever wonder why Jesus almost never spoke in the Synagogues, the churches in those days. The first time he spoke in one, they tried to throw him over a cliff. So,he spoke in the streets and on hill side from almost anywhere but in the Churches. I think that would still be the case today if Jesus spoke in most of the modern Churches.
      I mean after all Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:"
      They tell you that all you have to do is believe to get in the kingdom of Heaven but Jesus said, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." Luke 13:24
      Yes! God appoints authority through Christ but it is not like the authority of the gentiles and we should be very wary of all who have to say, "I am in authority."

For Jesus said, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Matthew 28:18

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1 "Octavian was legally invested...with the government of the important frontier provinces, with the sole command of the military and naval forces of the state, and the exclusive control of foreign relations. At home it was understood that he would... be elected consul and enjoy the powers and pre-eminence attached to the chief magistracy of the Roman state. Thus the republic was restored under the presidency of its 'first citizen' (princeps civitatis)"Encyclopedia Britanica 1953,Vol II, pp. 687d
2 "The last act was the formal decree of the senate by which Augustus, like his father Julius before him, was added to the number of the gods recognized by the Roman state." Encylopedia Britannica 1953,Vol II, pp. 689b
3 "We, the People" "The Story of the United States Capitol" by the United States Capitol Historical Society, Washington D.C., Library of Congress catalog number 65-20721.

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