Stier remarks, " Tlie Romans were only concerned with what was DONic; not with dreams, like the J(iwa ; nor with wis- dom, like the Greeks." Pilate's question was characteristic of his nation. 30. — [JeHUH anawfived.. kingdom... not... world.] In this famous sen- tence our Lord Ije^ins His answer to Pilate's question, "Art 'J'hou the Kin^ of the .Jews V" " Thou askest wlietlK^r I am a Kin^. 1 reply that I certainly have a kingdom, but it is a kingdom entirely unlike the kingdoms of tliis world, it is a kingdom which is n(;ither begun, nor propagated, nor defended by the power of this world, by the world's arms or the world's money. It is a kingdom wliich took its origin from heaven, and not from earth, — a spiritual kingdom, — a kingdom over hearts and wills and consciences, — a kingdom which needs no armies or revenues, — a kingdom which in no way interferes with the kingdoms of this world."
The literal rendering of the Greek would be " out of this
/world." But it evidently means " belonging to, dep(!ndent on, springing from, connected with." It is the same prejjosition that we find in John viii. 2;J : " Ye are from beneath ; 1 am from above : ye are of this world ; I am not of this world."
That the above was our Lord's j)lain meaning, when He spoke the words before us, is to my mind as evident as the sun at noonday. The favorite theory of certain Christians that this text forbids Governments to have anything to do with religion, and condemns the union of Church and State, and renders all Kstablished Churches unlawful, is, in my judgment, baseless, preposterous, and utterly devoid of common sense. Whether the union of Church and State be right or wrong, it appears to me alwurd to say that it is forbidden by this text. The text declares that Christ's kingdom did not spring from the powers of this world, and is not dependent on them ; but the text does not declare tliat the powers of this world ought to have noth- ing to do with Christ's kingdom. Christ's kingdom can get on very well without them; but they cannot get on very well without Christ's kingdom.
The following leading principles are worth remembering, in looking at this vexed (question : —
(a) Every Government is responsible to God, and no Govern- ment can ex[)ect to prosper without God's blessing. Every Government therefore is bound to do all that lies in its jjower to obtain God's favor and blessing. The Government that does not strive to i)romote true religion, has no right to expect God's blessing.
(h) Every good Government should endeavor to promote truth .charity, temperance, honesty, diligence, industry, chastity, among its subjects. True religion is the only root from which these things can grow. The Government that does not labor to promote true religion cannot be called either wise or good.