Which "Authorities"?

[aphisherofmen]

Romans 13:1-2 states

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities for there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.”

Titus 3:1 says

“Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,”

Do you suppose it could be possible that St. Paul is speaking of Church authorities too, or just secular authorities?

 

[vern_humphrey]

aphisherofmen:

Romans 13:1-2 states
Titus 3:1 says
Do you suppose it could be possible that St. Paul is speaking of Church authorities too, or just secular authorities?

He was speaking of secular authorities as well, echoing Christ’s dictum to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.

Later, Tertullian would make it plain that Catholics regarded secular authority as legitimately based on God’s will, pointing out to non-Christians that Caesar was “ours more than yours” because he held his position by God’s will.

 

[rlg94086]

I just happened to read the Romans verse while studying my catechism last night. It is the footnoted verse for 1899 regarding authority in society. Also, the footnotes in my Bible (NAB red letter edit. - World Wide Publishers), say that Paul was dealing with

…the problem raised by a message that declares people free from the law. How are they to relate to Roman authority?

Looks like that is just secular.

However, in my footnotes for the Titus verse:

Magistrates and authorities: some interpreters understand these terms as referring to the principalities and powers of the heavenly hierarchy. To *be open to every good enerprise: *this implies being good citizens. It could also be translated :ready to do every sort of dood work" (as Christians).

So, it looks like this verse could apply to both.

Just my :twocents:. No authority here.

Pax,

Robert.

 

[aphisherofmen]

He was speaking of secular authorities as well, echoing Christ’s dictum to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.

Of course, this begs the question, just what really IS Caesar’s?