Bible Study 6/17

Proverbs 14:19-35

A few excerpts:

v.20-21 - "The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends. Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor."

v.23 - "In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty."

v.29 - "Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly." v.30 - "A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot."

v.31 - "Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors Him."

v.34 - "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

Romans 13:1-14

Paul exhorts the people to be subject to the governing authorities, because they are instituted by God, "God's servant for your good." Even if the authority does not acknowledge God, this is still true in the sense that they keep order and justice.

Sometimes I have crazy thoughts like, what about the American revolutionaries? Or any of the many separatist movements or rebellions throughout history? One thing is clear about authorities - when our allegiance to God is in direct contradiction with our allegiance to the authority, we obey God (as when Peter and John continued preaching the gospel). It is remarkable that Paul would write this chapter even as the authorities were Romans, many who persecuted the Christians.