ROMAN TRIUMPHAL PROCESSION
Historical background:
War is terrible in every sense of the word. War in times past, especially during ancient Roman rule, was fought using hand-to-hand combat which demanded great physical effort, mental determination, large sums of money, casualties, and an ample amount of time. Caesar, the Roman emperor, put a lot of faith in his government’s military manpower and war machine. It took years, in many cases, to conquer foreign lands and squash any uprisings that tried to usurp Roman control (foreign or domestic); thereby, bringing all people under Roman sovereignty. Since it usually took such a long time to conquer one’s foe, it was important to demonstrate and exhibit to the people of Rome why they were working so hard to bring the surrounding nations under Roman reign.
The Roman Triumphal Procession was such an exhibition. It was common practice to parade a defeated people before the Roman masses and their emperor. The major commander of the army would lead the conquered people, who had been made slaves, along with their seized possessions and present them as gifts to Rome and Caesar. This procession did not occur after every victory; rather, after every major victory (i.e., the Gauls, France, Spain, etc.). From time to time, this procession was done after less significant victories to help placate the Roman people who may have been grumbling at the war effort.
Contextual background:
The biblical literature of the New Testament was written within the historical milieu of Roman supremacy. Israel, in the first century, was under the military might of Rome. Therefore, it is then logical that the biblical writer would use common references that the people of that day would quickly understand and embrace. The apostle Paul, who wrote the letters of Colossians and Ephesians, used such obvious examples as references concerning the teachings about Christ and His church. In fact, one of those examples was the known practice of Roman Triumphal Procession.
Reasoning from Colossians:
It is common to think about battles waging between men in respect to fist fighting, swords, guns, etc. Yet, Christ’s ultimate battle (and subsequently ALL Christians) is not against fleshly beings but against those who are spiritually wicked and opposed to God; i.e., the Devil and his dominion (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus took on the power of Satan and He destroyed Satan’s power by subduing him at the cross when He died (Colossians 2:15; cf. Genesis 3:15; Hebrews 2:14). When Jesus died on the cross, He made it possible for ALL Christians to receive forgiveness of their sins without having to pay the eternal penalty of separation from God (Colossians 2:13-14). The penalty was paid by Jesus on the cross when He suffered and died (Colossians 2:13-15). In turn, Jesus triumphed over all the wicked forces who opposed Him. And, at the same time, He completely disarmed those powers so that they would not have true power anymore (Colossians 2:15; cf. John 12:31). Therefore, the powers of Satan (i.e., death, Hebrews 2:14) are displayed in a defeated manner like those who were defeated by Rome; conquered and subdued (Colossians 2:15).
Reasoning from Ephesians:
Christ did a marvelous thing, for His church, when He ascended to heaven and lead Satan captive (Ephesians 4:8; cf. Psalms 68:18; Colossians 2:15). In excess to the conquering of Satan, He showered gifts upon His people (the church) for the purpose of building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:8, 12-13). These gifts are: apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). These special gifts have a wonderful impact on the body of the saved (Christians) because they help equip and edify the saints for the purpose of developing unity in faith (one doctrine of faith, Ephesians 4:5), knowledge of the Son of God, and maturity in Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).
The apostles and prophets are those who had inspiration by revelation from the Holy Spirit and were able to present the message of Christ according to His wishes (John 17:20). The evangelist, shepherds, and teachers present the gospel of Christ according to the Scripture that was passed down by those who were inspired by Christ (the apostles and prophets, John 17:20; Romans 6:17-18; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2:2). None of these people are commanded to teach anything other than the teachings of Christ, because it is Christ’s teachings that mature the church (Ephesians 4:13). In fact, those who step out of the bounds of the gospel are cursed by God (Galatians 1:8). Therefore, those who teach correctly the word of God are gifts from the only one who defeated Satan – CHRIST (Ephesians 4:7-11).
The Lord’s humbled . . . John A. Reeves
War is terrible in every sense of the word. War in times past, especially during ancient Roman rule, was fought using hand-to-hand combat which demanded great physical effort, mental determination, large sums of money, casualties, and an ample amount of time. Caesar, the Roman emperor, put a lot of faith in his government’s military manpower and war machine. It took years, in many cases, to conquer foreign lands and squash any uprisings that tried to usurp Roman control (foreign or domestic); thereby, bringing all people under Roman sovereignty. Since it usually took such a long time to conquer one’s foe, it was important to demonstrate and exhibit to the people of Rome why they were working so hard to bring the surrounding nations under Roman reign.
The Roman Triumphal Procession was such an exhibition. It was common practice to parade a defeated people before the Roman masses and their emperor. The major commander of the army would lead the conquered people, who had been made slaves, along with their seized possessions and present them as gifts to Rome and Caesar. This procession did not occur after every victory; rather, after every major victory (i.e., the Gauls, France, Spain, etc.). From time to time, this procession was done after less significant victories to help placate the Roman people who may have been grumbling at the war effort.
Contextual background:
The biblical literature of the New Testament was written within the historical milieu of Roman supremacy. Israel, in the first century, was under the military might of Rome. Therefore, it is then logical that the biblical writer would use common references that the people of that day would quickly understand and embrace. The apostle Paul, who wrote the letters of Colossians and Ephesians, used such obvious examples as references concerning the teachings about Christ and His church. In fact, one of those examples was the known practice of Roman Triumphal Procession.
Reasoning from Colossians:
It is common to think about battles waging between men in respect to fist fighting, swords, guns, etc. Yet, Christ’s ultimate battle (and subsequently ALL Christians) is not against fleshly beings but against those who are spiritually wicked and opposed to God; i.e., the Devil and his dominion (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus took on the power of Satan and He destroyed Satan’s power by subduing him at the cross when He died (Colossians 2:15; cf. Genesis 3:15; Hebrews 2:14). When Jesus died on the cross, He made it possible for ALL Christians to receive forgiveness of their sins without having to pay the eternal penalty of separation from God (Colossians 2:13-14). The penalty was paid by Jesus on the cross when He suffered and died (Colossians 2:13-15). In turn, Jesus triumphed over all the wicked forces who opposed Him. And, at the same time, He completely disarmed those powers so that they would not have true power anymore (Colossians 2:15; cf. John 12:31). Therefore, the powers of Satan (i.e., death, Hebrews 2:14) are displayed in a defeated manner like those who were defeated by Rome; conquered and subdued (Colossians 2:15).
Reasoning from Ephesians:
Christ did a marvelous thing, for His church, when He ascended to heaven and lead Satan captive (Ephesians 4:8; cf. Psalms 68:18; Colossians 2:15). In excess to the conquering of Satan, He showered gifts upon His people (the church) for the purpose of building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:8, 12-13). These gifts are: apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). These special gifts have a wonderful impact on the body of the saved (Christians) because they help equip and edify the saints for the purpose of developing unity in faith (one doctrine of faith, Ephesians 4:5), knowledge of the Son of God, and maturity in Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).
The apostles and prophets are those who had inspiration by revelation from the Holy Spirit and were able to present the message of Christ according to His wishes (John 17:20). The evangelist, shepherds, and teachers present the gospel of Christ according to the Scripture that was passed down by those who were inspired by Christ (the apostles and prophets, John 17:20; Romans 6:17-18; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2:2). None of these people are commanded to teach anything other than the teachings of Christ, because it is Christ’s teachings that mature the church (Ephesians 4:13). In fact, those who step out of the bounds of the gospel are cursed by God (Galatians 1:8). Therefore, those who teach correctly the word of God are gifts from the only one who defeated Satan – CHRIST (Ephesians 4:7-11).
The Lord’s humbled . . . John A. Reeves
Article published on August 8, 2010 at The Idalou Beacon in Idalou, Texas
Published in the blog "The Lord's Humbled" in August, 2010
Published in the blog "The Lord's Humbled" in August, 2010