Romans 13:1-7
Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. 5 Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience. 6 And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks.[a] 7 Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.[1]
What was the governing authority at the time of Paul? Why might such a stance be controversial?
Is such a stance controversial today?
This section flows from 12:1 – “…in view of the mercies of God …”
This also connects back to 12:17-21 regarding vengeance. Part of the purpose of government is to serve as God’s tool to punish evil and injustice while enforcing a form of civic righteousness.[2]
“… ruling authorities are what they are because God wants
order in the present world.” – N.T. Wright
1 Corinthians 14:33 – “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace ….”
13:1
Let every person/soul submit/be subject (passive imperative) to authorities [who are] in high positions. For there is no authority if [it is] not by/from/under God, and the ones that exist having been put in place/arranged by/from/under God.
So, why should we submit to the governing authorities?
This word translated submit, or be subject, can be related
to force, but it has a sense of placing something or placing one’s self under.
How will we understand this if
we are thinking in terms of power?
How will we understand this is we are thinking “in view of the mercies of God”?
From where/who does authority come?[3]
Notice that
God is mentioned by name 6 times in this section!
Proverbs
8:15-16 – “By Me kings reign and rulers prescribe righteousness; by Me
princes exercise princedoms, also nobles, all judges of righteousness.
Isaiah
11:3-5 – Christ will reign in righteousness and execute judgement.
Daniel
2:37-38 – Your Majesty, you are king of kings. The God of the heavens
has given you sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. 38 Wherever
people live—or wild animals, or birds of the sky—he has handed them over to you
and made you ruler over them all.
Nehemiah
9:37 – The “abundant harvest goes to the kings you have set over us, because
of our sins. They rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please. We are
in great distress.
John 19:10-11 - So Pilate said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?” 11 “You would have no authority over me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”
Are governments accountable to God?
Third
Reich?
British Government of King George III?
Is it the government’s job to implement the laws of the
Bible?
Power vs. Love
How should we receive a bad government/governor in view
of the mercies of God?
Wisdom
from Joy Dill
[1]
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used
by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered
trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
[2]
Remember that civic/civil righteousness is not the same as the righteousness of
God that is in Christ Jesus.
[3]
This is true of ministry as well. In my Call Documents the Supplement to the
Diploma of Vocation states, “In the name of the Triune God and by His
authority, in order that we might carry out His mission to the world, we hereby
authorize and obligate you: …”
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