ROMANS 13: 1-7
YOU AND YOUR GOVERNMENT
[Matthew 22:15-22]
An Idaho SHEEP RANCHER was approached one day by a stranger in a suit. He said, "If I can guess how many sheep you’ve got, may I have one?" Thinking this to be near impossible the rancher agreed. The stranger then stated, "You have 1,795 sheep." Stunned by the correct answer the rancher told him to choose his sheep. The man selected an animal and slung it over his shoulder and started to walk away. The rancher called after him, "Hey if I can tell you who you work for can I have that animal back?" "OK." "You work for the government." The government worker asked, "How did you figure that out?" "Well," the rancher said, "put my dog down and I’ll tell you."[Lowell Streiker. Encyclopedia of Humor. Hendrickson Publ. Peabody, Mass. 1998. p. 293]
A presidential aide said, "Mr. President, I was wondering, sir if it might be possible for MY SON TO WORK somewhere in the White House." Of course," answered the president. "What does he do?" The aide threw up his hands and said, "Nothing."
Excellent, noted the president. "We won’t even have to train him." [Ibid. p. 287]
There’s not much respect for government in America today, especially with all the election/political talk going around. That’s unfortunate at best and diabolical at worst for the Christian is commanded to be subject to his government.
Our text moves from stressing what our individuals responsibilities are to others to spotlighting how we are to respond to the government. What ought to be the attitude of Christians toward governing authorities? We have been called out of this world system but still live in it. Being citizens of heaven does not minimize our responsibilities here on earth for the Christian citizen is called upon to be the best citizen. The Christian, Scripture insists, will have a high view of authority and will be submissive to it as a matter of Christian conscience (CIT).
I. THE PRINCIPLES OF AUTHORITY, 13:1-2.
II. THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORITY, 13:3-4.
III. THE PROCESSES OF AUTHORITY, 13:5-7.
These words beginning in verse 1 are as important as any that have ever been written on political thought and duties. "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities." What a strong statement about the right of governments to rule and our responsibility to support them. WHY? The next part of verse 1 answers why. ... "For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God."
Human government is ordained or established by God. Weirsbe said, "God has established three institutions: home (Gen. 2:18-25), church (Acts 2), and government (Gen. 9:1-17)" [Weirsbe, Warren. The Bible Exposition Com. Victor Books. Wheaton, IL. 1989. p. 556]. Ordained means it originated from God, or it is His idea. Government is instituted under divine authority. Human authority is derived from God’s authority. It is authority delegated in certain spheres of life. Therefore we should say as Jesus did to Pilate in John 19:11, "You would have no authority [exousía] over Me, unless it had been given you from above." Pilate misused his authority to condemn Jesus, but it was delegated to him by God [Stott, John. Romans. IVP. Dover Grove, IL.1994. p.340].
Those to whom submission (not the stronger word obey) is due are called governing authorities [exousía]. [Governing authorities is literally "powers that be."] It is a sweeping command. It is more than just Presidents or Congress but all who are in positions of authority. It would include respect for the local policeman and teacher. They have authority granted to them in certain spheres of life.
Paul then adds that because God has established these governing authorities and delegated His authority over a sphere of activity to them, those governed by them must submit to these authorities in their domain of responsibility. Therefore whoever resists God’s delegated authorities operating within their legitimate orb of responsibility has opposed the ordinance of God. In fact, failure to submit is seen as resistance to God’s principles and merits divine judgment (13:2).
Are there times when Christians should not submit to these governing authorities? Yes. When governing authorities extend their authority beyond their delegated domain or sphere. For example when the governing authorities told the disciples not to share the gospel, the disciples responded that they must obey God’s rather than man (Acts 5:29). Governing authorities had over stepped the area of authority God had allotted to them. [That is why they are called governing authorities, not the highest or supreme authorities.] The disciples must obey God, the greatest authority who authorizes, legitimize, and limits other authority spheres. Let it be noted that these earthly authorities did not recognize God’s authority or their invading of it. They beat, tortured, and executed believers for following God’s authority instead of theirs.
Maybe we should ask right here to what kind of government does God expected us to submit? Paul wrote these words under a Roman rule that was becoming dictatorial, but he made no distinction that there was only a kind or type of government to which the Christian is to be submissive. It seems to be all inclusive.
But what if a government is bad? Again Paul was writing these declarations under a new edict that made Christianity illegal. A new Caesar, Caesar Nero, had come to power. He was the best known "fiddler" in history. We are told through church history that, after sentencing the apostle Paul to death, Nero went on a rampage, persecuting Christians, burning them in his garden, feeding them to the lions. Caesar Nero was a diabolic, terrible, brutal, evil individual. Yet here, even while Nero was in power, Paul says believers were to be subject to the higher powers, believing that there is no person in power but that God has permitted him to be there.
You might not respect the person who is in power, but you must realize the Lord has allowed him or her to be there—even if it’s a person as brutal as Caesar Nero. [Courson, Jon: Jon Courson’s Application Commentary. Nashville, TN : Thomas Nelson, 2003, S. 978.] Remember Jesus had been crucified by this Roman government also.
Why would God tell us to submit to every ruling authority? Because God has the ability to accomplish His will in spite of and even through less than godly rulers. God allowed a wicked king like Pharoah to rise to power that His will might be accomplished. Romans 9:17 states, "...for this very purpose I raised you up to demonstrate My power in you, and that My Name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth."
God establishes every authority. An example of this is King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:17. It is declared in Isaiah 40:23-24.
Daniel 2:21 states, "He removeth kings and setteth up kings." God has brought into being differing forms of government depending on that which is best for that time and place in history.
One of the values we tried to teach our children is respect for authority. My wife and I believe respect for authority begins at home. The foundation of respecting parents becomes the basis for children’s learning to respect all other types of authority.
Yet if I’m honest with myself, I must admit there are times we send our children mixed
messages about honoring those in authority. I’m sure our children have heard us repeating a joke about our political leaders or making disparaging comments about those who lead our country.
To be sure, our leaders are not perfect, and certainly we must hold them accountable to high standards of ethical and moral conduct. Still, we must remember that those in power are there because God allows them that responsibility. Thus, when we honor leaders, we ultimately honor Him who holds authority over us all.
May the Lord help us to show respect for leaders even when we disagree with them. [& remind me to hold them before You in my prayers and support them with my actions.]
Having called for submission verse 2 warns against rebellion against legitimate authority. "Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves."
Those who refuse submission are in rebellion against what God has ordained. Those who incite defiance against government will bring judgment upon themselves. God hates anarchy. To "receive condemnation" is worse than human punishment for it is brought upon them by God. As Jesus said, "All who draw the sword die by the sword" (Mt. 26:52).
The principle being taught in 13:1-2 is that God is the source of all legitimate authority, one expression of which is civil authority. [The question as to whether rebellion against authority is ever justified cannot be examined until more or the passage is analyzed.]
II. THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORITY, 13:3-4.
Having established the duty of Christians to submit to government the duties of government are established in verses 3 & 4. Verse 3 relays that civil leaders who do what is right accomplish good. "For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;"
God in His wisdom has established civil authority. Because man is fallen, civil order is necessary to keep man’s sinful inclinations in check.
Don’t want to drive down the freeway having to constantly look in your rear view mirror? Keep your speed down. I’ve heard that the last part of our body to get sanctified is our right foot. Don’t want to live in fear of getting audited by IRS? Pay the right taxes
Government should support and encourage what is right. Nothing that is morally wrong should be politically right.
When authorities exercise their power for right they faithfully represent the source of their authority and fulfill their duty. This authority does not need to be Christian as Nero was the governing authority at this time nor even recognize the true source of their authority. But it must reflect the divine order and conscience of honoring good and punishing evil. If not it de-legitimizes itself or separates itself from the sphere which authorizes it to act. Civil authority is to act in accordance within the standard of good and evil as impressed upon man by Creator God.
God authorized governing authorities because mankind need them. In many parts of the world, when you walk into a FOOD STORE to pick up a pound of meat and a gallon of milk, you do so with the confidence that both items are free of contamination and that the label on the package is accurate.
That kind of product reliability was not developed overnight. One hundred years ago, you would have had no guarantee of either freshness or truth in labeling. Since then, governments have passed laws to help protect the consumer by assuring the quality of products from food to perfume. They require standardized labeling and strict safety tests.
When I think about such laws as these, I am reminded that we should appreciate good government. Chaos would reign without it! Laws must be enforced to safeguard the health and well being of the public.
In a day when government is often severely criticized, let us remember that "there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God" (13:1). Where law does not exist, evil runs rampant. Even in countries ruled by cruel and evil dictators, there is a measure of established order.
Verse 4 declares that the authorities are to be God’s servants for good and act as His punisher of evil. "for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil."
The state is called "God’s servant" because it encourages the good and punishes the evil. Believers are warned to avoid public evil because God has given the state authority to use the sword [in civil disorders and in capital punishment]. Since it is God’s servant who bears the sword it excludes all arbitrary and indiscriminate uses of power apart from the cause of justice.
Civil ruler have the responsibility to execute justice and citizens must submit themselves to government rule. Civic responsibility is a necessary expression of discipleship.
Government ought to structure or order civil society to reward good, as defined by God, and punish evil as defined by God. God has always retained the authority to define good and evil behavior.
If the state does not fulfill the reason but actually contradicts it, the way is open for address or even justified revolution. If right and evil are not longer legitimately addressed, the state loses it legitimacy for taking action. If God-ordain rights and liberties are not only denied but taken away the state has ceased to fulfill its God ordained function. [The church is not here authorized to oppose the state, though individual Christians may see it as their duty to do so.] As justice collapses the Church is obligated to voice prophetically its criticisms of the states failure by pointing out where the state has deviated from God’s Word. Christians are not to be blind, docile, or unconcerned in our submission to the state. [Harrison, Everett. The Expositor’s Bible Com. Zondervan. Grand Rapids. 1976. p. 138.]
III. THE PROCESSES OF AUTHORITY, 13:5-7.
In bringing this section to a close two reasons are given in verse 5 as to why the believer must be in submission to the state. "Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake."
The first reason given as to why the believer must be in submission to the state is because of the threat of punishment.
Submission to the state is also a matter of conscience. The Christian because of God’s Word can have a clearer understanding of the justification for the state and its action that officials of the government are likely to have. That understanding is to guide him in his attitude and decisions toward authority.
What constitutes the limits of government? Under what circumstances should a Christian disobey the law? There have been many different answers over the centuries, but on one point they agree: when the claims of earthy authorities conflict with divine authority over faith, conscious, and their practice. Christians "must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). It was true of Daniel in Daniel 6:10. It was true when Peter and John were ordered to stop preaching about Jesus in Acts 4:17-20.
Obedience to rulers when they go against God’s Word or conscience makes the state into an idol. For God not only makes claims upon man to submit to authority but upon states to submit to God (not to Christians or religion). If their power for ruling is from God authorities are obligated to submit to the authority which authorizes their legitimate authority. Rulers are to be "God’s servants [ministers] for good" (13:4).
Because civil authority is established by God submission in verse 6 entails such the practical duties as paying taxes. "For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing."
Since government is ordain of God we are obligated to provide support for its operation. Even if the people in authority are unworthy, the institution is not because God has authorized it. Without financial undergirding governments cannot function.
You may not like how much you are taxed but you cannot argue with the principle of taxation. Government must build roads, sewers, bridges, must provide armies, fire protection, city halls, policemen.
Government is in trouble when half the people get the idea that they don’t have to work because the other half will take care of them and the other half feels it does no good to work because so much of what they earn is taken away from them.
Verse 7 summarizes the duties of submitting to authority. "Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor."
The items stated are all classified as obligations. Because authority is ordained by God, submission entail practical duties.
Taxes normally refers to direct taxes or tributes (paid to a foreign ruler). Revenues refers to indirect taxes such as customs, tolls, or duties, etc.
Jesus’ answer about paying taxes is in Matthew 22:16-22. Caesar had his image on certain things and they rightly belonged to him. God has His image on man who rightful belongs to Him.
IN CLOSING
Should we respect government? Yes, because God established government. We are to submit ourselves to the civil authorities over us, and we are to pray for them. We are to respect and honor them. However, our ultimate authority is God, who is Lord over all human governments. When it comes to a clash between civil law and God’s laws, we are to obey God, and be ready to suffer the consequences of this decision. As Christians, we have a responsibility to make the state better. In America, we can do this politically, by electing Christian or other high-principled leaders. We can also do this morally, by serving as an influence for good in society.
It is said that as Benjamin Franklin concluded a stirring speech on THE GUARANTEES of the Constitution, a hecker shouted, "Aw, them words don’t mean nothin’ at all. Where’s all the happiness you say it guarantees us?" Franklin smiled and replied, "My friend, the Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness; you have to catch it yourself."
Corrupt politics and bad politicians may make us cynical about government. This could tempt us as Christians to neglect our responsibilities as citizens. The believers in Paul’s day may have felt this way. They lived under an increasingly hostile Roman government.
Yet the apostle gave these practical ways to respond.
-Submit to God-ordained leaders so the gospel may be advanced (13:1; 1 Tim. 2:2-4).
-Pray regularly for leaders (1 Tim. 2:1).
-Do good; live godly lives (Rom. 3:3; 1 Tim. 1: 2).
-Pay taxes (Rom. 13:7).
-Trust God’s sovereignty (Rom. 13:1).
Charles Colson says that we must put our faith in God, not in the political process. God calls us to make our mark on government. We should vote when it’s our right and resist only when government interferes with our obedience to God (Matt. 22:21).
Somebody has well said that "Every nation gets the government it deserves." Is ours getting better or worse?
Active citizens of the heavenly kingdom must not be passive citizens of the earthly kingdom. For the public business of the nation is the private business of every citizen. - [D.J.D. Our Daily Bread]
