The Role of the Believer, Government Authorities, and Submission
December 11, 2024
Dr. Bradford Reaves
Crossway Christian Fellowship
Romans 13:1-7
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. (Romans 13:1–7)
Romans 13 is one of the most debated passages in the Bible, particularly when it comes to understanding the Christian’s relationship to government and authority. What is a Christian obligated to do when the Government acts in ungodly or unbiblically in its power? Here, the apostle Paul calls believers to be subject to the governing authorities, stating that all authority is instituted by God. However, how should we interpret this command, especially when facing unjust authorities or governments that contradict God’s will?
In this study, we will examine Romans 13, address various interpretations, and draw upon historical and theological insights to understand what God truly expects from His people in relation to earthly governments. Our aim is not just to provide answers, but to provoke thought about our allegiance to God’s Kingdom in the face of worldly authority.
1. The Call to Submit:
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. (Romans 13:1–2)
Paul begins Romans 13 with a clear command: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” He follows with a warning: “Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”
This verse has often been interpreted as an unqualified call to obey civil governments, no matter the situation. At first glance, it might seem that Paul is advocating blind obedience to earthly rulers. However, we must approach this text carefully, considering its full context and the message of Scripture.
First let’s look at biblical examples of Submission:
1. Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 6:1-10)
Daniel lived under the rule of the Babylonian empire, first under King Nebuchadnezzar and later under King Darius. When Darius issued a decree that for 30 days no one could pray to anyone except the king, Daniel continued to pray to God openly, but he did so knowing the consequences of his disobedience to the king’s law. Despite his act of civil disobedience, Daniel still showed respect and honor toward the king. When he was arrested and thrown into the lion’s den for his disobedience, Daniel submitted to the consequences of the king’s law while maintaining his loyalty to God.
2. Jesus’ Submission to Roman Authority
When the Pharisees attempted to trap Jesus by asking if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, Jesus responded by submitting to the governing authority of the Roman Empire while also making clear that ultimate allegiance is to God. He did not advocate for rebellion but acknowledged the role of earthly rulers in God’s sovereign plan.
They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)
3. The Apostles’ Obedience to Roman Law (Acts 25:1-12)
The apostle Paul submitted to the Roman legal system when he was accused by the Jewish leaders. Even though Paul knew the charges against him were false, he appealed to Caesar rather than reject Roman legal authority outright. By appealing to Caesar, Paul exercised his right as a Roman citizen while still engaging within the legal framework of the empire. His submission to the Roman authorities allowed him to further the gospel through his trials and eventual journey to Rome.
If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” (Acts 25:11)
2. Understanding the True Powers
Paul was writing to the Christians in Rome, addressing those “called to be saints” (Romans 1:7). He encourages them to submit to those appointed by God to shepherd and guide them spiritually. We must ask, “Why would Paul, who was ultimately executed by Roman authorities, advocate unreserved obedience to them?” Was Paul telling Christians that we must obey our governmental rulers no matter what the law? Well, yes and no.
Tertullian wrote, “Caesar is more ours than yours because our God appointed him. Therefore, in honoring Caesar, we subordinate him to our God.” (On Idolatry, Chapter 15)
He also said, “We render service to the emperors as is lawful for us and as suits their rank, by recognizing them as our rulers. But we have only one God, whom we worship.” (Apology, Chapter 33)
Irenaeus said this, “By the providence of God, kings are appointed, for the benefit of nations… But the unjust and impious king is a judgment on the people for their sin.” (Against Heresies, Book 5, Chapter 24)
Lactantius wrote, “Power is not to be desired, nor tyranny exercised, but justice preserved. For God, who gives kingdoms, will also take them away if rulers act unjustly.” (Divine Institutes, Book 5, Chapter 10).
According to early Church Fathers, believers have a biblical mandate to honor and pray for every governmental leader in authority, and yet oppose unbiblical law.
1. Respect for Authority: Even under oppression, Christians should honor the government as instituted by God.
2. Obedience with Limits: Christians obey government commands unless they contradict God’s laws.
3. Prayer as a Weapon: Prayer for rulers, even abusive ones, is a central response of the early Church.
4. Suffering as Witness: Persecution is seen as an opportunity to witness to faith, not as a reason for rebellion.
5. God’s Sovereignty: All authority is under God’s control, and unjust rulers are often seen as instruments of divine judgment or discipline.
3. The Power of Secular Authorities: Alternate Interpretations
Some scholars and theologians interpret Romans 13 as a call to submit to all forms of government authority, no matter what the law. This view holds that God ordains every earthly authority, and that Christians are to obey secular rulers, as a matter of conscience and peace. This interpretation relies heavily on the idea that all authority, even corrupt governments, serves God’s divine purposes.
John Calvin and other Reformers have held this view, emphasizing that government is a necessary institution for preserving order in society, even if it is imperfect. According to this interpretation, Christians should submit to the government as a reflection of their obedience to God, and not resist authority unless it directly contradicts God’s commands.
Alexander Mack, the founder of the Schwarzenau Brethren, emphasized a Christian’s duty to respect and pray for governmental authorities, even under oppressive regimes. In his writings, Mack highlighted the importance of obedience to civil authorities, aligning with the teachings of Romans 13. He believed that Christians should lead by example, demonstrating humility and submission to government, provided such obedience did not conflict with God’s commandments.
However, this interpretation raises serious questions when governments enact laws that conflict with God’s Word or persecute Christians for their faith. As William Tyndale and John Knox argued, resistance to tyrannical rulers can be justified in light of biblical teachings about justice and truth. While submission is the general rule, there are exceptions when rulers violate God’s commandments.
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. (1 Peter 2:13–14)
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, (Titus 3:1)
By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; 16 by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly. (Proverbs 8:15–16)
4. The Kingdom of God vs. Earthly Authorities
A major part of the tension in interpreting Romans 13 lies in the tension between the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world. Christians live in the world, but they belong to a different kingdom—the Kingdom of Heaven. As Jesus taught in John 18:36, His Kingdom is not of this world.
This truth is central to our understanding of Paul’s message. In Romans 13, Paul calls Christians to live in harmony with the governing authorities, but not at the expense of their higher allegiance to Christ. In 1 Peter 2:13-17, Peter similarly urges believers to submit to rulers, but not without emphasizing their duty to God above all. Here, Peter is not calling for blind submission to civil authorities but is urging believers to live in a way that shows the truth of the Gospel, even in the face of persecution.
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)
But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. (Daniel 3:18)
Moses’ Mother (Exodus 2:1-10)
When Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, issued an order to kill all newborn Hebrew boys to control the population of the Israelites, Moses’ mother defied the king’s decree in order to save her son’s life. She hid him for three months and then, when she could no longer conceal him, placed him in a basket in the Nile River, trusting God to protect him.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:16-18)
In the book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon issued a decree that everyone must bow down and worship a golden image he had set up. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three Jewish men who were faithful to God, refused to obey the king’s command because it directly contradicted their allegiance to the one true God.
Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:18-20)
After healing a man in the name of Jesus, Peter and John were arrested by the Jewish authorities and ordered not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Despite the official decree, they boldly declared that they could not obey such a command because it went against God’s will for them to proclaim the gospel.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Is known for resisting Nazi authority in Germany, exemplified this tension. He famously said, “When God calls a man, He bids him come and die.” For Bonhoeffer, the authority of earthly rulers was not absolute, and when they demanded that Christians submit to evil, he believed that resistance, even at great personal cost, was justified.
COVID 19 Shutdowns
The COVID-19 pandemic is a modern example of civil disobedience in response to government restrictions on worship. During the pandemic, Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in California, and many others defied these restrictions, arguing that the biblical command to gather for worship and community fellowship took precedence over governmental mandates.
5. What Does It Mean to Be ‘Ministers of God’?
Romans 13:4 states, “For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” Many traditional interpretations understand this as a reference to the authority of the state, which is supposed to punish evil. However, if we align this with the understanding that Paul speaks of spiritual authority, the “minister of God” here could refer to those appointed by God within the Church to guide and correct believers, ensuring they live in accordance with God’s commands.
Augustine wrote extensively about the role of civil authority, but he also emphasized that all authority, whether civil or ecclesiastical, ultimately comes from God and should be used for the good of His people. He was careful to argue that Christians, though subject to earthly rulers, must always obey God first. As John Calvin noted, “We are subject to princes as ministers of God, not as gods.”
6. The Call to Honor and Obey:
Paul concludes with a call to honor all people and to pay taxes and respect to whom it is due. “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”
This command applies to both spiritual and earthly authorities, but we must remember that our ultimate allegiance is to God. We are called to honor and respect those in positions of power, but we are never to place our trust in them. As Charles Spurgeon said, “No man can serve two masters; we must serve the King of Heaven first and foremost.”
Conclusion:
As believers, we are indeed called to be in submission to governmental authorities. Romans 13 makes clear that all authority comes from God, and our submission reflects our recognition of God’s sovereign rule over all things. However, this submission is not absolute. While we honor and obey laws that align with God’s commands, we are not required to follow laws that contradict His Word.
Scripture provides numerous examples where believers respectfully submitted to authority but also defied unjust or ungodly commands when necessary. The early church fathers, such as Justin Martyr and Tertullian, exemplified this, emphasizing the importance of prayer for rulers while refusing to bow to idolatrous demands.
The ultimate example is Jesus Himself, who taught us to “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s” but also made it clear that our highest allegiance belongs to God. This principle is reinforced in Acts and throughout the Bible, where believers engaged with worldly governments while keeping their primary loyalty to God’s kingdom.
Thus, while submission to government is a biblical principle, it is always predicated by our higher allegiance to God’s Word. When governments demand what God forbids, or forbid what God commands, believers must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).
In summary:
• Are believers required to be in submission to government? Yes, we are.
• Are believers required to follow ungodly laws? No, we are not.
• Are there times when it is acceptable for believers to practice civil disobedience? Yes there are.
• Are the times when believers are called to violence against hostile governments? No there are not.
• What should a Christian do if they are persecuted or punished for refusing to obey a law that goes against their faith? (Let the congregation answer the question)
