Topical Bible: Magistrates: should Enforce the Laws

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In the biblical context, magistrates are civil authorities appointed to maintain order and justice within society. The role of magistrates as enforcers of the law is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, where they are seen as instruments of God's order and justice on earth. The Bible provides guidance on the responsibilities and conduct of magistrates, emphasizing their duty to uphold and enforce the laws.

Divine Ordination of Authority

The Bible establishes that all authority is ordained by God, and magistrates are no exception. Romans 13:1-2 states, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." This passage underscores the divine origin of civil authority and the responsibility of magistrates to act as God's servants in maintaining law and order.

Role in Upholding Justice

Magistrates are called to be impartial and just in their enforcement of the law. Proverbs 29:4 highlights the importance of justice in governance: "By justice a king gives stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it." This proverb reflects the broader biblical principle that justice is foundational to societal stability and prosperity. Magistrates, therefore, must ensure that their actions and decisions are fair and just, reflecting God's own nature.

Punishment of Wrongdoers

The enforcement of laws includes the punishment of those who do wrong. Romans 13:3-4 explains, "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is right, and you will have his approval. For he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." This passage affirms the role of magistrates as agents of retribution, tasked with maintaining order by punishing those who violate the law.

Protection of the Innocent

In addition to punishing wrongdoers, magistrates are responsible for protecting the innocent and ensuring that justice prevails. Isaiah 1:17 exhorts leaders to "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." This call to action emphasizes the protective role of magistrates, who must safeguard the vulnerable and ensure that justice is served for all members of society.

Accountability to God

While magistrates hold significant authority, they are ultimately accountable to God for their actions. Psalm 82:1-4 provides a sobering reminder: "God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods: 'How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.'" This passage calls magistrates to exercise their authority with integrity and righteousness, knowing that they will be judged by God for their stewardship.

In summary, the Bible presents magistrates as divinely appointed enforcers of the law, tasked with upholding justice, punishing wrongdoers, protecting the innocent, and acting with accountability to God. Their role is crucial in maintaining the order and stability of society, reflecting God's justice and righteousness on earth.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezra 7:26
And whoever will not do the law of your God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily on him, whether it be to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Persecutions of the Church.
... law of Trajan which required that they should not be ... commenced forthwith a persecution;
and there were magistrates who proceeded to enforce the laws ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the persecutions of.htm

Human Government.
... them, whenever the needful occasion should call for ... it as absolutely the duty of
magistrates to punish ... to legislate arbitrarily, or enact, or enforce any other ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xx human government.htm

Non-Resistants.
... to our Savior's cross; that Christians should not punish ... evil for evil, or to enforce
even his ... right to others, called legislators, magistrates, judges, sheriffs ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/non-resistants.htm

The Evolution of Early Congregationalism the Stone which the ...
... of Parliament which were passed to enforce conformity and ... years after Wyckliff, in
1582, laws were still ... did not believe that the magistrates should have power ...
/.../chapter i the evolution of.htm

Capital Punishment
... Man has the right to enforce laws, to see right done ... will, as to what men should
or should not do. ... and say not (remember always) of Christian magistrates in a ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon vi capital punishment.htm

"Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother. "
... wise and not at all times undertake to enforce his own ... benefit and teach more than
the laws and statutes ... it is not fitting that the magistrates should be idle ...
/.../luther/a treatise on good works/thou shalt honor thy father.htm

Political Parties in Connecticut at the Beginning of the ...
... that nominations for the magistrates should be made ... Presbyterians which made them
enforce ecclesiastical taxes ... alarm lest the Republicans should undermine all ...
/.../chapter xiv political parties in.htm

Church and State in New England
... were expected to meet with the magistrates to consult ... over the colonists, and also
to enforce upon the ... expressly enacted that church censure should not debar ...
/.../chapter iii church and state.htm

Home-Government.
... Parents are magistrates under God, and, as His stewards ... Its exercise should not run
into despotism on the ... laws and giving commands; but never enforce them; they ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xviii home-government.htm

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his ...
... that human laws, whether enacted by magistrates or by ... over churches not yet well
constituted, should intimate to ... grounds of offence, than to enforce the divine ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 of the power.htm