6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.
6 For
Paul here tied the message from the previous verse (we submit to government out of conscience) to the paying of taxes.
because of this you also pay taxes,
Part of Christian citizenship is paying taxes. Taxes are the means of supporting an orderly government.
Mt 22:21, They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.
Government officials have the responsibility to collect taxes and be paid by taxes under the auspices of the sovereignty of God.
The word “ministers” is different from the previous words for “ministers” in verse four. This word carries the idea of priestly service. We get the English “liturgy” from this Greek word. It is not confined to this use but the New Testament always uses this word of service to God. It is service of a serious nature.
PRINCIPLE:
Government officials are God’s appointed agents for maintenance of civil order.
APPLICATION:
Government officials might not be aware that they do God’s bidding, but it is true nonetheless. God views public service highly, even the collection of taxes. No one naturally appreciates paying taxes, but it is a necessary function of government. To not pay taxes is fraud. The Bible offers no exception for paying taxes.
God used Cyrus, the Persian emperor, to execute his will (Isa. 44:28; 45:1; Jer 25:9). Cyrus was God’s agent to do His will. The nations of the world do not operate capriciously but under the sovereign hand of God.
The Biblical Doctrine of the State: http://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/the-biblical-doctrine-of-the-state/
Should churches or religious bodies pay taxes?
Shakede, It depends on the view of each government. Here in the US the government wants (as of now) the churches to contribute to the welfare of its citizens so it gives churches tax breaks. The point is that churches contribute to the welbeing of society by providing counseling, standards of living, helping the poor, etc. "Taxes to whom taxes is due" here would imply that individuals according to the set up of the state owes taxes. Churches do not owe taxes here. However, if in another country "taxes to whom taxes is due" may require churches to pay taxes because their particular governments do not value churches in the way US and Canada do.