From 3cd83432191b2f46a347c4524071e1656ee8b96e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: BobJ Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2017 13:45:06 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] NFW changes, general edits --- rom/13/intro.md | 6 +++--- 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-) diff --git a/rom/13/intro.md b/rom/13/intro.md index 391f11ed18..0dcee4e6d6 100644 --- a/rom/13/intro.md +++ b/rom/13/intro.md @@ -2,18 +2,18 @@ #### Structure and formatting #### -In Judaism, there was a close and intended connection between the government and the religion of the people of Israel. Christianity does not usually have this same connection and makes no provision for it. Paul felt that it was important to instruct Christians how to live under an ungodly ruler. This is the focus of the first part of this chapter. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/ungodly]]) +In the first part of this chapter, Paul teaches Christians to obey rulers who govern them. At that time, ungodly Roman rulers governed the land. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/ungodly]]) #### Special concepts in this chapter #### ##### Ungodly rulers ##### -Some of the concepts about ungodly rulers in this chapter may be difficult to understand, especially in cultures where the church is persecuted by the government. Christians must obey both God and their rulers. Some times rulers can be disobeyed but there are times when a believer must submit to these ruler and suffer at their hands. This is because the Christian understands that this world is temporary and they will ultimately spend eternity with God. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/eternity]]) +When Paul teaches about obeying rulers, some readers will find this difficult to understand, especially in places where rulers persecute the church. Christians must obey their rulers as well as obey God, unless the rulers do not allow Christans to do something God explicitly commands them to do. There are times when a believer must submit to these rulers and suffer at their hands. Christians understand that this world is temporary and they will ultimately be with God forever. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/eternity]]) #### Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter #### ##### Flesh ##### -This is a complex issue and it is possible that "flesh" is a metaphor for a person's sinful nature. It is not the physical part of man that is sinful and it appears Paul is teaching that while man remains alive ("in the flesh"), he will remain sinful regardless of his effort, but his new nature will be fighting against his old nature. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/flesh]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]]) +This is a complex issue. "Flesh" is possibly a metaphor for our sinful nature. Paul is not teaching that our physical bodies are sinful. Paul appears to be teaching that as long as Christians are alive ("in the flesh"), we will continue to sin. But our new nature will be fighting against our old nature. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/flesh]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]]) ## Links: ## * __[Romans 13:01 Notes](./01.md)__