M
Michael Snow
Guest
A good example of taking a few verses of Scripture out of their biblical and historical context, is the way that many use references to 'Romans 13.' First, we have to remember that Paul wrote a letter, not chapters [those numbers were added in the 2nd millennium].
The Historical Context: Both the broad and the contemporary
586 BC Solomons Temple destroyed
After the Babylonian captivity ended, Judea survived under the succeeding Empires.
323 BC Death of Alexander the Great. Kingdom divided among the generals.
Judea comes under the Ptolemies, who also rule Eygpt
198 BC Judea annexed by the Seleucids, under Antiochus III, who rules Syria
During this period, Jews were under no government edicts to change customs [though many fell under the spell of the Hellenistic spirit of the times]. Antiochus strengthened the High Priesthood, made Torah official law for Jews and exempted Jews from taxes.
Judea was still a theocratic/Temple State.
Internal strife precipitated a crisis under the next king, Antiochus IV, Epiphanes. High Priestly faction, the House of Zaddock, was pro-Ptolemaic.
Another artistocratic family, the Tobiads, was pro-Seleucid.
Complaints against High Priest Onias III led to removal. Office was sold to his brother, Jason, who received permission from Antiochus to transform Jerusalem into a Greek polis For the first time in Jewish History, the office of high priest had changed from heritage to a privileged position to be bought.
Later, Jason refused to surrender that office. Civil war broke out. Besides the political factions, the scribal class, to whom the common people looked, produced the Hassidim who attacked Jews who were Hellenizers.
168 BC Antiochus Intervenes in Jewish civil war.
This led to the events described in Maccabees: Desecration of the Temple; the Abomination of Desolation.
This then led to Revolt of the Maccabees, joined by the Hassidim
164 BC On December 25 Temple was purified and rededicated to Yahweh.
Annual observanceHanukkah, Festival of Lights
Judea gains autonomy. Simon, one of the Maccabees, rules from 140-135. Holds Offices of High Priest [first of the Hasmonean Dynasty], Ethnarch, military and civil Governor.
Intervening Years till reign of Herod.
Battles continue between factions and enemies.
63 BC Pompey Captures Jerusalem.
Antipater, father of Herod, honored by Julius Caesar.
40 BC After Romes Civil War, under Octavian Caesar, Antony and Roman Senate confer title on Herod: King of the Jews
4 BC Death of Herod The Great
Revolts put down
Kingdom divided among sons
Archelaus rules over Judea strife continues
Jewish delegation to Rome: complaints about Archelaus rule; asks for Roman rule
AD 6 Archelaus rule ends. Judea Becomes Roman Province
Change in government calls for censustaken for purpose of taxation. To devout Jews, this was a symbol of subjugation to Rome, a foreign, pagan power
Judas the Galilean [Acts 5:37], with Zadock the Pharisee, leads Revolt
Judas recruits his band around Sepphoris, the capitol [a short distance from Nazareth]
Three Roman Legions under Varus crush revolt.
2000 Jews Crucified [Josephus, Ant.17:295]
[From this period until the outbreak of the final Jewish War in AD 66, Zealots and assassins would continue to foment rebellion and violent outbreaks. Josephus, The Jewish War, is great background reading for understanding NT times.]
c. AD 29 Barrabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection. [Mark 15]
AD 46-48 Insurrections: Two Sons of Judas the Galilean executed by Rome
c.AD 49 Edict of Claudius
Jews expelled from Rome for disturbances [Acts 18:2]
AD 54 Claudius Dies
Jews begin return to Rome
AD 57 Paul Writes Letter to Romans
AD 66 Jewish War begins. Temple Destroyed in 70
Read IN CONTEXT: Rom 12-13
[Note: Paul wrote a letter, not chapters. New Testament Had NO Chapter numbers for over 1000 years.]
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
The Historical Context: Both the broad and the contemporary
586 BC Solomons Temple destroyed
After the Babylonian captivity ended, Judea survived under the succeeding Empires.
323 BC Death of Alexander the Great. Kingdom divided among the generals.
Judea comes under the Ptolemies, who also rule Eygpt
198 BC Judea annexed by the Seleucids, under Antiochus III, who rules Syria
During this period, Jews were under no government edicts to change customs [though many fell under the spell of the Hellenistic spirit of the times]. Antiochus strengthened the High Priesthood, made Torah official law for Jews and exempted Jews from taxes.
Judea was still a theocratic/Temple State.
Internal strife precipitated a crisis under the next king, Antiochus IV, Epiphanes. High Priestly faction, the House of Zaddock, was pro-Ptolemaic.
Another artistocratic family, the Tobiads, was pro-Seleucid.
Complaints against High Priest Onias III led to removal. Office was sold to his brother, Jason, who received permission from Antiochus to transform Jerusalem into a Greek polis For the first time in Jewish History, the office of high priest had changed from heritage to a privileged position to be bought.
Later, Jason refused to surrender that office. Civil war broke out. Besides the political factions, the scribal class, to whom the common people looked, produced the Hassidim who attacked Jews who were Hellenizers.
168 BC Antiochus Intervenes in Jewish civil war.
This led to the events described in Maccabees: Desecration of the Temple; the Abomination of Desolation.
This then led to Revolt of the Maccabees, joined by the Hassidim
164 BC On December 25 Temple was purified and rededicated to Yahweh.
Annual observanceHanukkah, Festival of Lights
Judea gains autonomy. Simon, one of the Maccabees, rules from 140-135. Holds Offices of High Priest [first of the Hasmonean Dynasty], Ethnarch, military and civil Governor.
Intervening Years till reign of Herod.
Battles continue between factions and enemies.
63 BC Pompey Captures Jerusalem.
Antipater, father of Herod, honored by Julius Caesar.
40 BC After Romes Civil War, under Octavian Caesar, Antony and Roman Senate confer title on Herod: King of the Jews
4 BC Death of Herod The Great
Revolts put down
Kingdom divided among sons
Archelaus rules over Judea strife continues
Jewish delegation to Rome: complaints about Archelaus rule; asks for Roman rule
AD 6 Archelaus rule ends. Judea Becomes Roman Province
Change in government calls for censustaken for purpose of taxation. To devout Jews, this was a symbol of subjugation to Rome, a foreign, pagan power
Judas the Galilean [Acts 5:37], with Zadock the Pharisee, leads Revolt
Judas recruits his band around Sepphoris, the capitol [a short distance from Nazareth]
Three Roman Legions under Varus crush revolt.
2000 Jews Crucified [Josephus, Ant.17:295]
[From this period until the outbreak of the final Jewish War in AD 66, Zealots and assassins would continue to foment rebellion and violent outbreaks. Josephus, The Jewish War, is great background reading for understanding NT times.]
c. AD 29 Barrabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection. [Mark 15]
AD 46-48 Insurrections: Two Sons of Judas the Galilean executed by Rome
c.AD 49 Edict of Claudius
Jews expelled from Rome for disturbances [Acts 18:2]
AD 54 Claudius Dies
Jews begin return to Rome
AD 57 Paul Writes Letter to Romans
AD 66 Jewish War begins. Temple Destroyed in 70
Read IN CONTEXT: Rom 12-13
[Note: Paul wrote a letter, not chapters. New Testament Had NO Chapter numbers for over 1000 years.]
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
