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w72 8/15 p. 501 God Readjusts the Thinking of His People ***
Since 1962 they understand the "superior authorities" of Romans 13:1 to be the rulers of worldly governments, whereas up to that time, since 1929, they had held a different viewpoint.
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w67 6/1 p. 333 par. 16 God Kindly Leads His People Toward Life ***
However, temporarily, from 1929 to 1962, the Witnesses understood that when Paul spoke of the "superior authorities" at Romans 13:1, to whom subjection is due, he had reference to Jehovah God and Christ Jesus.
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w55 6/15 pp. 367-368 Part 12—An Era of Prophesied Happiness Begins ***
Timely was the new light of truth on the subject of the "higher powers" published in The Watch Tower for June 1 and June 15, 1929, showing clearly that Jehovah God and Christ Jesus are the true "superior authorities" that must be obeyed. (Rom. 13:1, NW) This new understanding put fire into the witnesses to stand their ground against the onslaught of court battles involving their freedom of worship.
(WT June 1929 pgs 163-169)
"When [Paul] says, 'The Powers that be are ordained of God,' does he have any reference whatsoever to the Gentile nations of the earth? Is it not more reasonable that he directs his words exclusively to the powers possessed and exercised in God's organization, and not to those that are exercised in Satan's organization?" [WT, 1929, p. 164]
The Watchtower, June 1, 1929, p. 167
"This proves that the higher powers are Christ Jesus and Jehovah and that the supreme power is Jehovah God...The apostle could not mean that the 'higher powers' are the Gentile powers...Those who have insisted that the apostle referred exclusively to the Gentile powers when he said, "The powers that be are ordained of God,' cite in support thereof the words of Peter, to wit; 'Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man [human creation, Greek] for the Lord's sake; whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.'"
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w50 11/15 p. 441 par. 10 Subjection to the Higher Powers ***
But rather than being instructions by the apostle to render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, Romans 13:1-7 has since 1929 been taken by Jehovah’s witnesses to be instructions on rendering to God what belongs to God. Why? Because the expression "the higher powers" is now understood to mean primarily the Most High God and his reigning Son Jesus Christ. Surely there are no powers or authorities higher than these. As rendered by the recently issued New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures Romans 13:1 reads: "Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God." Jehovah God is the Supreme and Original Authority. He being the Creator of all things, it follows that he is the source of all authority for doing what is right. Because he is supreme and all creation is dependent upon him, no one has the right to question the Most High God on how he uses his authority, even though for a time we may not understand it. He does what he pleases, but what he does is always for good, since there can never be any unrighteousness or untruthfulness in him. "The Almighty is beyond our minds. Supreme in power and rich in justice, he violates no right." "There is one thing God has said; ay, twice have I heard him say it: that power belongs to God." (Job 37:23 and Ps. 62:11, Mo) The fact stands unassailable that Jehovah God is the Chief of the Superior Authorities. Every soul should be subject to him.
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w96 5/1 p. 13 par. 13 God and Caesar ***In 1929, at a time when laws of various governments were beginning to forbid things that God commands or demand things that God’s laws forbid, it was felt that the higher powers must be Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. This was the understanding Jehovah’s servants had during the crucial period before and during World War II and on into the Cold War, with its balance of terror and its military preparedness. Looking back, it must be said that this view of things, exalting as it did the supremacy of Jehovah and his Christ, helped God’s people to maintain an uncompromisingly neutral stand throughout this difficult period.
