A mini-teaching on Paul's writings

Did Rav Sha’ul (Paul) suggest that we are to follow man-made “religions” or governments? Nope! Let’s find out why, by examining the context of his words:

Romans 13: 1. Let every soul be subject to the authorities of government.[1] For there is no authority which is not from Elohim: and the authorities which exist are established by Elohim. 2. He therefore who opposes the authority, opposes the establishment of Elohim; and they who oppose them will receive judgment. 3. For judges are not a menace to good deeds, but to evil deeds. Would you then not be afraid of the authority? Do good, and you will have praise from it. 4. For he is the minister of Elohim; but it is to you for good. But if you work evil, be afraid; for he is not girded with the sword in vain; for he is a minister of Elohim and an avenger of wrath to them that do evil things. (AENT)

FOOTNOTE: The Church system twists this verse so that Christians will submit to the authority of false governments who in turn support the false religious hierarchies. In reality, Paul makes this statement in the context of YHWH’s Commandments in Torah; “You shall not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt you answer in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment.” (Sh’mot/Exodus 23:2)

If the “majority” allows evil men in “government” and within “the church” to go unpunished, the evil becomes punishable upon the majority. For example, democracy is thought to work by majority vote, but in reality, democracies are easily manipulated by power hungry minorities who control media, ballot boxes, polls and “public opinion.” When the majority fails to act against evil, the hierarchy continues to further enslave its victims (citizens).

Many are discovering that what they believed to be a Democratic government is in fact an Oligarchy or organized criminals. The man-made Church system and all false government thrives on “double think” by putting forth an archetype (religious tradition or legislation by “majority” that “sounds reasonable” but is certainly not truth) and markets its theologies and laws as though it is a collectively inherited or accepted ideal. This is extremely high level rebellion against YHWH and must be prosecuted or all of humanity will suffer.

“You shall not answer in a cause to decline after many.” We must never fear evil men, defer to them, or pretend evil will go away on its own. Pray, speak and act against all manner of evil. Mashiyach calls all souls everywhere to join together in righteousness and bring Peace, Justice and Equality to all peoples, of all religions and socio-economic situation. See Matt. 22:21.

Continuing with Romans 13:

Romans 13: 5. And therefore, it is necessary for us to be obedient, not only on account of wrath, but likewise on account of our consciences.  6. For this cause also you pay tribute money; for they are the ministers of Elohim, established for these same objects.  7. Render therefore to every one as is due to him; head tax, to whomever accounts for it; and duties to whomever collects taxes; and respect, to whom respect is due; and honor, to whom honor is due.  8. And owe nothing to anyone; but to love[1] one another. For he that loves his neighbor, has properly understood Torah.  9. For this likewise, which it says: You will not kill; nor commit adultery; nor steal; nor covet; and if there is any other Commandment, it is completed in this sentence: You will love your neighbor as yourself.  10. Love does no evil to one’s neighbor because love is the fulfillment of Torah.[2]  (AENT)

Paul further admonishes:

Romans 13: 11. And this also know you, that it is the time and the hour that we should therefore awaken from our sleep. For now our life has come nearer to us than when we believed.  12. The night now passes away, and the day draws near. Let us therefore cast from us the works of darkness; and let us put on the armor of light.  13. And let us walk decorously, as in daylight; not in merriment, nor in drunkenness, nor in impurity of the bed, nor in envy and strife.  14. But clothe yourselves with our Master Y’shua the Mashiyach: and pay no concern about your flesh for the indulgence of appetites. (AENT)

FOOTNOTES:

[1]  A very clear Aramaic wordplay at the root level between khob (owe) and khab (love).

[2]  Paul does NOT teach that Torah was abolished because we love our neighbor.  Greek translations have pleroma, which is translated as “fulfilled”. Popular Bible versions like the NIV recognize this thought is revisited in 13:9 which uses anakephalaiomai, which means “to accurately sum up or understand” the Torah. This is a type of a synonym for pleroma.  If pleroma is translated as "fulfilled," there are numerous potential meanings.  One of these, according to Thayer and Smith's Bible Dictionary is:  "to fulfil, i.e. to cause God's will (as made known in the law) to be obeyed as it should be, and God's promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfilment.”

This definition mirrors the Aramaic term that is also usually translated as "fulfill," such as the line in Matthew 5:17 that is targummed, "for I have not come to unravel the Torah but to provide proper interpretation of it.”  This is also the true meaning of the Greek where it says "thus was fulfilled according to the prophet"; i.e., this is the intended meaning of the Scripture as applied to the NT.

Finally, one should look carefully at what both Aramaic and Greek use for the term "law".  In each case, nomos/namusa allows for the targumming of the Word/Torah concept to mean "torah" with a small "t", or individual instruction from the overall covenant.  That being said, the other possible reading is that the true meaning of the relevant commandment is "fulfilled/understood" by loving one's neighbor and so on, which makes much more sense. Therefore, if one is to read “fulfilled” here, then it must be understood that the correct interpretation of Torah is given according to what Mashiyach Y’shua elucidated.  This can in no way be construed that Mashiyach brought an end to Torah!