I see how easily one could get confused about this passage (sarcasm)
13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 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 you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
And now we return to our regularly scheduled program:
Looney Tunes, starring john w.
vs.
"(Do I really want to get banned over this guy?
Nah, ignore him "-Stevie
Can't stay away from me, can you Stevie, as I am "un-ignoreable," eh? I feel so cheap, you using my fame, to boost your presence. It's one of the curses, of being one of the most respected TOL gunslingers...
What a mess....Father, do I really have to get into the ditch, with Stevie?
Pay attention, rummy....
Roman 13 KJV
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due;
custom to whom custom;
fear to whom fear;
honour to whom honour. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
You assume that "tribute... custom,... fear...honour" apply only to
some form of human/national/civil government.
"Render therefore to all their dues:" This is the collective heading that ties these words above under one issue, the issue/context being the Roman saints being faithful in discharging their responsibility to God's ministers, such as Paul.......
who are the higher powers, within the boc. Rendering their dues, though it be on earth, being done unto the faithful power/ruler/minister of God, such as Paul, .......was equivalent as being done unto God. Why? God ordained this procedure, within the boc.
"tribute"-a tax which was self imposed which was paid to the minister of God
1 Cor. 9 KJV
9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13
Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
2 Corinthians 8 KJV
8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and
to prove the sincerity of your love. 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14 but by an equality,
that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
2 Cor. 9 KJV
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand
your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
6
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Gal. 6 KJV
6
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Thus, through a "self imposed tax," this indicates the attitude of subjection to God, by the respective saint/member of the boc, and the LORD God's authority, as the member of the boc acknowledges the LORD God's arrangement within the boc.
"custom"a tax/toll, paid to achieve a specific purpose. The apostle Paul, if you survey Romans-Philemon, collected from local assemblies, $'s, to be employed to help out other churches,...
2 Cor. 8 KJV
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and
their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 praying us with much intreaty
that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and
ye burdened: 14 but by an equality, that now at this time y
our abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15 as it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. 18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
"fear"-a "God fearing" desire not to displease God's appointed minister, the benefit being that it affected the 'mental mood"/attitude regarding subjection to the LORD God...................
2 Corinthians 7 KJV
1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness
in the fear of God.
Ephesians 5 KJV
21
submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
"honour"-placing value, esteem, praise, on God's appointed men, those "over you in the Lord," "the elders that rule," in their respective ministry, as the members of the boc submit/yield to the LORD God's desires, as carried out by the faithful "men of God."
1 Thes. 5 KJV
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
1 Timothy 5 KJV
17 Let
the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double
honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.