Such examples help us to keep these matters in true perspective. First, submission does not imply lesser value, inadequacy or inferiority in any sense. Jesus submitted to Jewish and Roman rulers.14 Were those rulers better than Jesus? Were they greater or more important than He? Absolutely not! Jesus was God in flesh! Though far greater, He willingly became a servant,15 which included fitting into His roles in society.16
Second, submission does not mean approval of a ruler’s evil ways. In Ephesus, Paul cooperated with provincial officials17 though some were surely idolaters.18 In Jerusalem and Caesarea, He was respectful to his judges,19 though some wanted him dead and others were cruel to his race. Paul did not approve of their sins, but his faith taught him to respect their high office. When the opportunity arose, Paul taught his judge about “righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment” (Acts 24:25). He refused to go along with bribery,20 and he used his civil rights skillfully.21
14. Matthew 17:24-27; John 19:11
16. “Roles” mean places or positions in the social structure. Jesus was born a Jew, a firstborn, a male, and a subject of Rome. He was a child and later an adult. Each of these roles involved its own set of responsibilities, which Jesus fulfilled in godly ways.
17. Called “Asiarchs” in Acts 19:31
19. Note how Paul corrected himself in Acts 23:1-5. See also Acts 24:10; 25:6-11; 26:1-3 cf. Acts 16:27-28.
20. Research Subject – Bribery: Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 10:17; 16:19; 27:25; 1 Samuel 12:3; Job 15:34; 36:18; Psalm 26:10; Proverbs 15:27; 17:8,23; 18:16; 21:14; 29:4; Ecclesiastes 7:7; Isaiah 1:23; 5:22-23; 33:15; Amos 5:12; Micah 7:3; Luke 3:13-14; e.g. Judges 16:5; 1 Samuel 8:3; Esther 3:9; Matthew 26:15; 28:12; Acts 24:26 cf. Isaiah 56:11; Ezekiel 13:19; 22:12-13; 34:2-3; Amos 2:6; 2 Peter 2:15
21. Civil rights: Acts 16:19-40; 22:22-29; 23:12-24; 25:11 cf. Romans 13:3-4; 1 Peter 2:14; Proverbs 16:12; 20:26