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The Book of Romans – Part 29, Rom 13:1-7  Submission to the Authorities

[Study Aired April 16, 2024]

Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 
Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 
Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 
Rom 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 
Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

In these verses from Romans 13, Paul tackles the topic of how we should interact with governmental authority. He starts by emphasizing the importance of obeying those in power, explaining that they are there because God ordained it. Going against authority, he warns, isn’t just disobedience to world rulers but also a challenge to God’s plan, which leads to consequences. Paul also points out that governments exist to promote good and restrain evil, suggesting that obedience isn’t just about fear but also about doing what’s right. Through these verses, we gain insights into our dual citizenship in the world and the kingdom of God, navigating the tension between allegiance to authority and steadfastness to our faith.

Luk 6:46-48 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. 

Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 

In Romans 13:1, “the powers that be” refers to the governing authorities or those in positions of power within society. This includes rulers, kings, governments, and all forms of authority structures established among mankind. The verse emphasizes that these authorities are ordained by God, meaning they are established by God’s will. Therefore, the “powers that be” encompass any individuals or institutions that hold authority over others in accordance with God’s plan and purpose. Peter gives another witness to Paul.

1 Peter 2:13-16: Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. God sets up the governments of the world. 

Daniel 2:21: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.

Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Christ preached the same message to the Pharisees.

Mat 22:15-22 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.  And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

Romans 13:2-4 underscores the imperative of submitting to governmental authority, as resistance is seen as defiance against God’s ordained order, leading to condemnation. It emphasizes the role of rulers as instruments of God’s justice, tasked with punishing wrongdoing and upholding righteousness. Those who do good need not fear authority, as they will receive praise, while evildoers should be afraid, as rulers are empowered by God to execute judgment. This echoes Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 22:15-22 when he confronts the Pharisees’ attempt to entrap him regarding paying tribute to Caesar. Jesus wisely affirms the principle of rendering to Caesar what is Caesar’s, endorsing obedience to civil authority. However, he also emphasizes the importance of rendering to God what belongs to God, highlighting the dual allegiance that we owe to both earthly rulers and God.

Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Rom 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

If we are not able to follow the “laws of the land”, which in God’s eyes are simple, how can we even begin to follow the “law of the spirit?” Mankind’s laws are for our old man, and we must put the old man under subjection. Christ came to show us a higher way to live. Our old man does not necessarily like the “laws of the land”, but God has ordained them, and it is our duty to follow them as long as they do not go against the “law of the spirit.”

Tit 3:1-8 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

We have dual citizenship. Firstly, we were citizens of the world, and now we are citizens of the kingdom of heaven. We are now ambassadors of Christ in a foreign land. As ambassadors we are not given permission to break the laws of men unless it is in direct conflict with the law of God. Because something is legal to the world does not make it legal for us. We are now living to a higher standard and must die daily to the ways of the world and live daily to God.

1Co 15:31-34 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

2Co 5:1-21 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The verses from Romans 13:1-7 underscore the significance of adhering to governmental authority, attributing its establishment to God’s will. Any resistance against such authority is depicted as a direct challenge to God’s ordained plan, potentially leading to adverse consequences. Rulers, as portrayed, serve as instruments of God’s justice, tasked with the responsibility of discerning between right and wrong, rewarding virtue, and punishing wrongdoing. Hence, obedience is not merely prompted by fear but also by a sense of moral duty. This echoes Jesus’ instruction regarding Caesar’s payment in Matthew 22. Likewise, Peter’s exhortation to respect authority for the sake of God, and Daniel’s acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty over mankind’s rulers, corroborate this perspective. Collectively, these passages underscore the dual allegiance we have to both heavenly and earthly authorities, emphasizing the necessity of complying with “the laws of the land” while upholding the “law of the spirit.”