Roman 13
1-7
Big Idea:
X. TENSIONS TO HOLD
XI. CONCLUSION
Final Statement:
About Nero
About Nero:
Important Context:
Why This Matters for Romans 13:
Theological Insight:
Teaching Point:
Opening
Paul tells us how the citizens of Heaven are to relate to human government, how we can be the kind of citizens God wants us to be.
We must keep several things to in mind as we move through this passage. First, the political situation in Rome was explosive for the Early Church. Claudius had earlier expelled the Jews because of a dispute involving a certain “Chrestus” (i.e., Christ), and though the Jews had returned, the political situation was volatile. Moreover, Paul was afraid some of the revolutionary attitudes of Jerusalem’s Zealots might influence the Church. So Paul wrote to instruct the Church on how to behave properly toward the state. What he writes is not ivory-tower theory, but practical directions on how to live under an unfriendly government.
Secondly, we must realize what the passage does not tell us. It does not directly say what we ought to do when a government departs from the role God has given it. It does not specifically explain what to do when our government is committing a moral wrong. Neither are we told what to do in the midst of revolution. It also does not show us which form of government is best—it does not even commend democracy! I mention these things because many of the difficulties found in this chapter result from what is read into it rather than from what it actually teaches.
In chapter 13, Paul turns from the Christian’s relationship to other Christians, and to other individuals, to the wider question of how to view the state in which we live, and how to think of ourselves as citizens within a state. He is moving on to how our view of God’s mercies transforms our attitude toward “the governing authorities” (13:1).
It is important to recognize that Paul is not giving us a discussion of church-state relations in this section. Rather, he is giving instruction to individual Christians about their personal citizenship.
The Christian And The State
Paul says, very simply, that every Christian is to submit to the authority of civil government (v 1). He gives three reasons.
Second, Paul says to submit because it is wise. He says that God designed human society in this fashion. “Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right … For he is God’s servant to do you good” (v 3–4). Paul is saying that governments are needed to hold people accountable to live in a way that makes it possible to live together. Without the threat of punishment, human self-interest would make society impossible. So the very system of human government is a wise one
Verses 6–7 suggest a third reason: that we are to submit because it is fair. Paul seems to be indicating that governing is hard work. “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him.” We are obliged to give them what we owe them. Since they do their part—ruling, we must do ours—submitting.
So the Bible gives a very clear basis for civil disobedience; namely, if the state commands what God forbids, or if the state forbids what God commands, then civil disobedience is a Christian duty
Verse 1
13:1 In 13:1–7
The apostle gives us what we might call “the divine right of the state” as he says in the last half of verse 1, “for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
I. GOD IS THE SOURCE OF ALL AUTHORITY (v.1)
This means:
Illustration:
But here’s the tension:
Why?
Application:
Verses 2-3
13:2–3 It follows that the one who resists authority is resisting what God has ordained. Those who act in this manner will bring judgment upon themselves. Rebels against authority malign the Giver of authority. It is a dangerous thing to set oneself in opposition to a divinely ordered process. Those who rule pose no threat to those whose lives are marked with good deeds. It is the one who does evil who fears authority. Returning to the diatribe style, Paul asked his readers whether they would like to be free from fear of the one in authority. The answer was simple: practice doing what is right. This brings the approval of secular society (cf.
Obviously this does not happen in every instance. Government sometimes oversteps its rightful domain. When this happens, the believer will find it impossible to obey the ruler. Two clear examples of civil disobedience are found in Acts. When Peter and John were told by the Sanhedrin not to preach in the name of Jesus, they replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God” (
Upon being released they resumed their work and consequently were taken into custody. To the charge of the Sanhedrin that they had filled Jerusalem with their teaching they replied, “We must obey God rather than man!” (
II. RESISTANCE AND ITS LIMITS (v.2)
General Principle:
But this is NOT blind obedience.
When Authority Becomes Evil
Old Testament Examples:
New Testament Example:
No. The principle is clear.
