It was the same cruel pagan authority, filled with many stings, hiding true Christian religion behind a mock-faith, that caused suffering and martyrdom to the real faithful ones, to the faithful Hus and Jerome[416]; the King of Hungary[417] thus caused, by his own hands, that they should attain heavenly glory.
CHAPTER 43
INTERPRETATION OF ROMANS 13:1-2 (CONTINUED)
So it happened that the authority in Rome of which Paul was speaking was pagan. And he exhorted the Christians to be patiently obedient to that authority (even though) it persecuted them for their faith… And those who have written chronicles of those days and of the Christian martyrdoms … say there were thirteen emperors in Rome, from the time of Paul to the days of Constantine, and every one of them was a pagan, murdering faithful Christians for their faith; … they murdered Saint Peter, and thirty-five bishops after him, until the days of Sylvester, and all for faith… This lasted three hundred and twenty years…
[ Therefore it is wrong to construe from Paul’s words that all authority is sanctioned by the Christian faith. Such assertions can be made only by priests who are intoxicated by the poison of power. Through power, they have converted faith into a lucrative business. ] And they pushed out the poor and humble Jesus; he is their ruler no more.
CHAPTER 44
INTERPRETATION OF ROMANS 13:1-2 (CONTINUED)
When Saint Paul said, “Let every soul be subject to higher powers,” he was reminding the congregation of the faithful Christians in Rome … to obey the pagan authority of Caesar. He had in mind … their condition and righteousness… He wanted them to avoid all conflict with the pagans, and to excel in Christian virtues, repaying no one evil for evil, but taking thought for what is noble in the sight of all.[418] And, since it is noble in the sight of the pagans to pay taxes, let the Christians do likewise. Such subordination comes from humility.
These things befit the servants of God; they should be subject in humility … not only to good but even bad authorities.
[ This subjection must be passive, however, and not of the character of an active participation. ]
