Romans 13 - "Obligations to Government"

Does Christianity expect or require non-resistance or pacifism? Many of our Amish and Mennonite brothers, sisters & neighbors take pacifism to mean not bearing arms in either law enforcement or military service.

Many take the first 9 words of today’s reading to mean that blind compliance is always the biblical choice.

What about Jesus overturning tables in the Temple court? What about Jesus refusing to answer the governor before His crucifixion? What about Daniel continuing to pray after it was outlawed, which earned him a trip to the Lion’s den? What about the 3 Hebrews who refused to bow to the statue and found themselves in a furnace?

What does subjection look like? Does it look like Campus occupations? Does it look like “mostly peaceful” demonstrations? Is “No King’s day” or “Anti-facism” allowed to destroy property as long as no injury happens to innocent people? Is “free speech” or refusal to cooperate because “I know my rights” honorable? Is it noble to lie to authorities in order to protect victims?

While this text is not the ONLY place in Scripture that our interactions with ruling authorities is mentioned, it does have some specific expectations that at the minimum need to be heard and integrated with the whole of Scripture.

TRANSITION: Today’s text offers clear advice for our leaders, our neighbors and our testimony in this world.

Respect your Leaders (Ro 13.1-7)

A peaceful subject (ὑποτάσσω - designated to be under)

This verb is what is called middle voice – it is the idea of an action that one does to himself. The active voice would be “Government will force compliance” or passive would be “surrender to the fact that you could never challenge your obedience.

I see a voluntary patriotism to whatever civil authority God has placed in your location.

This is the exact opposite of those who argue “not my president” or “illegitimate elections” because in Paul’s case the emperor was not democratically elected, but readers are told to submit themselves regardless.

I have voted in every presidential election since Reagan. Since that time, whether I voted for him or not my presidents have been Reagan, 2 Bushes, Clinton, Obama, Trump 2x and Biden. Even if I didn’t vote for him, I have fervently prayed for each.

1 Timothy 2:1–3 ESV:2016

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

Appointed Authority (Ro 13.1b-2)

I can pray for them because I believe God is sovereign enough to end one’s reign according to His will. I readily admit that sometimes God sends “negative” or “bad” rulers so that His people will not become too comfortably in this world and will long for the eternal state when He sets everything right.

Grant Osborne, now deceased, whom I had a chance to meet personally in 1989 wrote a commentary on the book of Romans in 2004. Osborne writes,

All should take their places willingly in the social strata of the day. Two caveats are necessary: (1) submission does not mean inferiority, for in Ephesians 5:21 we are told to “submit to one another”; rather, it means a willing subordination. (2) In Acts 4:19 and 5:29 Peter told the Sanhedrin, “We must obey God rather than men”; the power of government over Christians is not absolute but is always qualified by our greater allegiance to God and his will[i]

3. I believe this is a good summary of vv.1-2.

TRANSITION: Paul continues to give reasons why a qualified, willing submission is best.

Comply, then appeal (Ro 13.3-5)

Arrogance has consequences.

I have several friends of darker skin, and I have told my light-skinned children as well, that immediate compliance provides an opportunity to have your say in court, but dead people never have a day in court.

It is better to be judged by 12, than carried by 6.

3. Joseph before Potiphar, Daniel before Nebuchadnezzar, and Paul before Herod are just a few examples of respectful appeals to authority.

4. Any of the LEOs who attend worship with us will verify that citations and violations are never adjudicated on the roadside.

Taxes, Revenue, Respect & honor (Ro 13.6-7)

Jesus claimed to be the way, the truth, and the Life. So being a Jesus-follower includes some form of truthfulness.

The decalogue, 10 commandments, prohibit bearing false witness—a violation of truth.

Jesus specifically said in the Sermon on the Mount that your yes should be yes and your no, no – in other word lying to others and stealing from, others are outcomes of the Evil One, not our Savior.

TRANSITION: truthfulness becomes the rational for the next 3 verses.

Repay your Debts (Ro 13.8-10)

An Obligation of Love (Mt 7:12 Luke 6:31)

V.9 is one way of stating what is known as the golden rule. The more literal translations like the KJV, ESV or NASB never use the wording “do to others” or “do unto others”. However, some of the functional translations like NIV or CSB do use this wording in Mt 7 and Lk 6. So, the idea is surely there that we have an obligation to treat other people favorably, not to just ignore them.

A word worth considering. Paul is telling INDIVIDUALS how to respond to Authorities, not instructions for the way Authorities treat individuals. Vv.8-10 is NOT a call to open borders or unrestrained migration. The love obligation is not a call to anarchy. Those who rule have an obligation to determine policies and procedures to govern those under their care, and the seven verses just before this say that the authority has power to enforce those policies.

As individuals, how do we live under a love obligation?

“You do you & I’ll do me” is not biblical.

“Let them” has become a viral call in our culture to stop trying to please others, to control others or to allow them to control you. The concept has SOME good advice about setting boundaries. [Jesus did not permit others expectations of him to determine his mission.] But a blanket dismissal of the needs of others is not consistent with these 3 verses.

There is a HUGE difference between God’s definition of love, and permitting others’ expectations to enslave you.

Stay in your lane, and do not mistreat others. It is not my obligation to enforce laws, but as a citizen who submits to the authority that God has established, I also am not free to undermine the proper authority that is in place. As an individual I am not free to vigilantism or becoming some sort of bounty hunter.

TRANSITION: As an individual citizen of God’s family, the way I interact with other image bearers matters.

Remember your Testimony (Ro 13.11-14)

Situational awareness (vv.11-13)

You have never been closer to the return of Christ than you are right now.

Because our redemption draws nigh, now is not the time for hand wringing or burying heads in the sand. It is the time to Shine and share! The next 5 days is our opportunity to extend mercy to the children of our community (as in vv.8-10), and to share the truth of the Gospel because we may not have another year. We may not have the whole week. There is no space for apathy!

Wake from sleep (v.11)

Salvation is nearer speaks to me of an urgency!

Sometimes I wake slowly and meander around the house in my bed clothes. Other times I lay out an outfit and set an alarm. I ingest my caffeine to make me alert because there are deadlines and tasks that need to be accomplished.

This second type of wake from sleep is the call of these verses. It is the difference between an ordinary Monday and the first day of vacation.

Walk properly (v.13)

Several of our youth are competing on national stages this summer. From wrestling to BB gun shooting, to Track and Field events, those who compete on this level know how to behave properly. If they are not dressed properly, equipped properly, and in the right place at the right time, they will suffer defeats.

Likewise if we do not put on or put off the correct attire, we will suffer loss.

Put on (v.14a)

While Paul is writing to Christians in Rome, he does not call them to put on a soldier’s armor. He calls them to put on armor of light and put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are not called to put on an antifa mask, a rainbow flag, or a red cap. We are to adorn ourselves in what is fitting as a representative of our Savior.

Put off (v.14b)

v.13 lists 6 specific behaviors that gratify the flesh, not the Savior. 2 deal specifically with worship of false gods, 2 deal with pleasing oneself, and 2 deal with conflicts with others.

Idols, “me time”, and selfish conflict do not shine forth Jesus Christ. We spread HIS fame, because our salvation has never been nearer.

Conclusion:

We don’t have to look very far to see people gathering under various flags. With certain segments of our population, it is favorable to wave the flag of any nation except ours. The antidote to pink stocking caps, Palestinian head scarves, and rainbow flags is not Christian T-shirts, Tattoos or bracelets. There is nothing wrong with Ts or Tats, they just are not sufficient in the day that is upon us—we need to put on no less than the qualities of the Lord Jesus Christ himself like loving others and humble submission.

What?

Gospel recipients honor authority and love others.

So What?

While our ultimate citizenship is in Heaven in God’s household (Phil 3:20, Eph 2:19), God sovereignly places us in kingdoms on earth to represent Him.

Now What?

Submission starts with intentional respect. Choose to believe the best about civil servants.

Love for what God has done for us looks like mercy and kindness towards neighbors.

Response Song #......................................................................................... “title”

Benediction: (reference) - text

[i] Osborne, Grant R. 2004. Romans. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.