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Romans Commentary Chapters 1-8  /  Romans 6:8-15 We Must Not Let Sin Rule Over US  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 3
The Apostolic Constitutions are quoted urging believers to render “offerings, customs, honor, gifts, and taxes,” calling rulers “ministers of God and punishers of the ungodly”; what view of God’s sovereignty and purposes in earthly authority is assumed here, and what discomfort does that create in today’s political climate?
Another way to ask: The Apostolic Constitutions tell Christians to pay taxes and honor rulers as God’s servants who punish evil. What does that assume about God using earthly rulers, and why might that feel uncomfortable in today’s politics?

Direct Answer The transcript assumes God stands over earthly rule and uses governing authorities as His “ministers” to restrain evil, which can feel uncomfortable today because it pushes Christians to render honor and taxes even when rulers seem unworthy or politically opposed.

Support from Transcript:

  • The Apostolic Constitutions call rulers “the ministers of God and the punishers of the ungodly,” implying God can work through civil authority.
  • Believers are told, “Be subject to all royal power and dominion in things that are pleasing to God,” showing submission is real but not unlimited.
  • The same passage commands concrete civic giving: “Render…offerings, customs, honor, gifts, and taxes.”
  • It frames this as divine instruction: “For this is God’s command…except the debt of love.”
  • Bercot links this back to Paul’s context of “owing taxes and honor,” meaning early Christians saw civic rendering as part of obedience to God.
Discussion Follow-ups Which part creates the most tension today: calling rulers “ministers of God,” or the command to render honor? How do we obey “in things that are pleasing to God” when political loyalties run hot?

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