Romans 13:6

[Tullius]

Greetings,

I have always wondered a lot about this passage "Romans 13" especially the differences between "The New International Version" and the "The King james Version". Now it may just be that i'm being constructivist here placing too much emphasis on the language and idea and not the context of the passage. My problem is that the "New International Version" embodies a more pacifistic or submission to injustice idea with use of "taxes" rathern than the King James version of "Tribute". First I will post the two different vesions then use the online dictionary this is what tribute and taxation is:

New International Version:
[sup]6[/sup] This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

King james Version:
[sup]6[/sup]For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.


Tribute Definition:
1. A gift, payment, declaration, or other acknowledgment of gratitude, respect, or admiration
2. Evidence attesting to some praiseworthy quality or characteristic 3a. A payment in money or other valuables made by one ruler or nation to another in acknowledgment of submission or as the price of protection or security.b. A tax imposed for such payment.4. Any payment exacted for protection.5. a. A payment or tax given by a feudal vassal to an overlord.b. The obligation to make such a payment.

All these examples embodies an understanding that the State gives us protection for tribute or is worthy of our tribute because of some other consensual aspect like maybe jurice prudence/welfare/industry

Taxation Definition:
1. a. The act or practice of imposing taxes.b. The fact of being taxed.2. An assessed amount of tax.3. Revenue gained from taxes.
Taxation is simply the aquirement of /revenue/property through coercion. Which may not be consensual and may indeed be used for evil purposes.

To me it seems that the new international version for lack of a better word is "left wing" and the king james is "right wing". The left generally believes that taxation is good because it is used by the force of the greater good which is the state, and in the world today with all the Authoritarian/Totalitarian governments that taxes for special interest group like the elite regime or only the army this is very dangerous in my opinion. And according to the Romans passage the State is a just Servant of God. But the King James version embodies a very important control variable which is that the State is only a servant of God if the taxation is a tribute which means consensual, so if the "taxation" is not consensual then the State is not a servant of God and therefor it is not God's will that we pay the State taxes.

What do you guys think? Is this assement rational and what do you make of this passage personally from your ideological viewpoint?

 

[Angelina]

Hi Tullius!

Glad to have you aboard!... Welcome to CB!

Here is something that may be of interest to you

http://www.telegraph...hes-saints.html

I guess the "left-wing" perspective, may depend on the scholars who re-translated this version.

Bless ya!

 

[Tullius]

Hi Tullius!

Glad to have you aboard!... Welcome to CB!

Here is something that may be of interest to you

http://www.telegraph...hes-saints.html

I guess the "left-wing" perspective, may depend on the scholars who re-translated this version.

Bless ya!

Thanks for the welcome and the link, hope to have many discussions and make new aquantainces here

 

[veteran]

To me it seems that the new international version for lack of a better word is "left wing" and the king james is "right wing". The left generally believes that taxation is good because it is used by the force of the greater good which is the state, and in the world today with all the Authoritarian/Totalitarian governments that taxes for special interest group like the elite regime or only the army this is very dangerous in my opinion. And according to the Romans passage the State is a just Servant of God. But the King James version embodies a very important control variable which is that the State is only a servant of God if the taxation is a tribute which means consensual, so if the "taxation" is not consensual then the State is not a servant of God and therefor it is not God's will that we pay the State taxes.

What do you guys think? Is this assement rational and what do you make of this passage personally from your ideological viewpoint?

Wrong.

The idea of paying tribute per Rom.13 is by command. Apostle Paul commanded it. The word tribute simply means taxes as used there, and nothing more. There's no "consensual" idea there. But giving of alms per The New Testament is by consent only and not mandatory; that's where you're confused.

The Left-wing politicians love taxation because they like it for their pet projects, and to give to minority groups that majority America would NOT support otherwise. Thus the Left wingers abuse taxation as a way to support subsidies against the people's will. This is also why the Left-wing doesn't care about balancing the budget, but love getting America into debt. The Left-wing always uses taxation to support its own regime and agenda. What Obama as a democratic left-winger has done with his Socialist agenda proves that, even to the point where many left-wing Democratics are now against his strategies.

The Right-wing conservatives have more balance to their strategy, not letting taxation get out of control to affect the economy. But today many of them have begun to play the same games as Left-wing liberals. It's getting to where one can't really distinguish many of them from Leftists.

Per the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence, the State is only to be a function OF the people, BY the people, and FOR the people. 'We The People' ARE the government per the U.S. Constitution. But I guess someone in a Socialist controlled state, where the State only defines its people's rights, those folks wouldn't understand America's Constitutional system.

 

[Insight]

Romans 13:6 is the responsibility of a believer to pay their taxes (See Mat 17:24; 22:21).

Paul is building on the basis of conscience.

I may be misquoting Veteran, but I get the perception he is saying the governing authority is God's servant, and as such it is reasonable and expected for us in good conscience to support the taxation system. While the heads of state may be unworthy of such funds, the institution is not, since God wills it. Without such fiscal stimulus the government cannot function.

The Roman Empire was a wonderful medium to preach the Gospel and while its government was corrupt and inflation rampant, we find the Gospel of Jesus Christ moved freely throughout Asia Minor as a result of stable governance.

Insight

 

[veteran]

To me it seems that the new international version for lack of a better word is "left wing" and the king james is "right wing". The left generally believes that taxation is good because it is used by the force of the greater good which is the state, and in the world today with all the Authoritarian/Totalitarian governments that taxes for special interest group like the elite regime or only the army this is very dangerous in my opinion. And according to the Romans passage the State is a just Servant of God. But the King James version embodies a very important control variable which is that the State is only a servant of God if the taxation is a tribute which means consensual, so if the "taxation" is not consensual then the State is not a servant of God and therefor it is not God's will that we pay the State taxes.

What do you guys think? Is this assement rational and what do you make of this passage personally from your ideological viewpoint?

The Pharisees tried to entrap Jesus with asking whether we are to pay taxes or not. Christ said to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what belongs to God. So it means yes, we as Christians are to pay taxes.