Week 7 - Romans 13:1-7
Romans 13:1-7
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
Respect for Authority
In these verses Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, declares that the civic rulers and authorities have been put in place by God himself. Because of this, Christians are called to believe that authorities great and small are there because the one true God wants His world to be ordered, not chaotic. This does not validate particular actions of leaders or governments. Paul is merely saying that some government is always necessary in a world where evil flourishes when unchecked. During the time this was written, Christians (and yes, even Paul), were likely to get in trouble for their beliefs, but made every effort to be good citizens.
How we respond to earthly authority and heavenly authority are not mutually exclusive. In most cases, the energy we use resisting earthly authority would be better used in intentionally working toward establishing more of the rulership of King Jesus in our lives and communities.
Throughout human history we can easily recognize how authority and power can become corrupted, leading to the oppression of the very people it was meant to serve. This is where we must initiate our faith in God’s supreme authority and sovereignty. As Paul alluded to in chapter 9, even the most oppressive authority can be a means for the Ultimate Authority to prevail.
“For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, ‘I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread My fame throughout the earth.’”
QUESTIONS
In what ways do you need to submit your life more to God’s authority? How will that affect the relationship with the authority you live under at school, home, or work?