We all have layers of authority in our lives. Parents, teachers, bosses, customers, local, regional, and national government, and Christ our King. In continuation of the normal Christian life or ethic, Paul advises: “Let everyone submit to the governing authorities.” He then explains why.
“Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 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. 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. Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience. And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks. 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.” (Romans 13:1–7, CSB)
Most folks will immediately jump to the “but…” But what if they are evil? But what if they command something ungodly? But what if I don’t agree, or it is against my deeply held convictions? Let’s remember the government at the time Paul wrote this. Rome, seeking peace, could be brutal in obtaining it. The taxes were hated, and the ruler saw himself as a god. At various times, they forced emperor worship to expose Christians and kill those who wouldn’t recant. So, Paul’s instruction is not easy.
Does this mean that we go along to get along no matter what the government says? No. A Nazi soldier quoted this verse to the Ten Boom family when they were arrested for harboring Jews during WWII. Father Ten Boom replied with “We will obey those who make the laws, but not if they are against God’s higher law.” But neither does that justify armed rebellion and insurrection. The Bible offers many examples of passive civil disobedience that accepts the consequences.
The Jewish midwives lied to the Egyptians with God’s blessing. Neither did the Hebrews leave Egypt until Pharaoh permitted it. God fought for them, but there was no rebellious armed uprising. Daniel disobeyed the edict to only pray to the emperor and ended up in the lion’s den. The three Hebrew men wouldn’t bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden Image and survived the fiery furnace. Esther risked her life and entered the king’s presence without invitation to prevent government-enacted genocide.
Peter wrote, “Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves. Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:13–17, CSB)
Romans Applied: In one sense, application will vary based on the government in place; in another sense, the application is the same. Governments will vary in how closely they align with God’s law and will. The type of government and level of corruption come into play. And yet the submission to authority is to be the norm, even when that government is corrupt. Pay taxes, obey the laws, pray for peace.
Many of us live with a government far different than Rome in Paul’s day. We can make our voices heard through the vote. But those we choose will not always win. Peter and Paul didn’t say to honor and obey only if you voted for them. We are called to submit, honor, and pray for all those in elected office. But even in a democratic form of government, there are times to obey God rather than man’s laws. In those times, like the examples above, we are to stand up, obey God, and accept the consequences. Speaking truth is often the most dangerous thing you can do.
- Romans Applied – Debt of Honor - September 9, 2026
- Romans Applied – Christian Life - September 2, 2026
- Romans Applied – Many Gifts - August 26, 2026
