Article 1, Section 8, Paragraphs 18
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Laws of Necessity
This is a summary of the purpose of the Congress. It is to make laws as they relate to taxation, borrowing money on U.S. credit, commerce, citizenship, bankruptcy, money values, measurement standards, postal systems, copyrights, court systems, maritime law, military law, wartime law, and Federal land and building law.
The laws were to be absolutely necessary. As a country ages, laws abound. Congress needs to show restraint and not meddle. In Scripture, the Greek word for necessity is αναγκαις which means something is a "compelling force" and "moral necessity" (Zodhiates, S. The Complete Word Study Dictionary. G318).
Paul says that necessities should make us into God’s image:
2 Corinthians 6:4, "But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,"
2 Corinthians 12:10, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
The laws were to be proper. Congress should approach their work by asking these two questions. Federal Employees need to be justified and then enabled to get a job done efficiently and effectively without improper shackles and red tape.
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