We Christians have many relationships in our lives. We have a relationship with God through Christ. We have relationships with those who are in the Church. We have relationships within marriage and family. We have relationships with our neighbors or society. We have relationships with our employers or employees.
In this passage in Romans 13, Paul addresses another relationship which we have - that with civil authority or government.
When one thinks about the original recipients of this Letter, one can certainly understand the importance of the Apostle to touch on this subject. For, the Christians in Rome lived in the Capitol of the World, the seat of civil authority and power. In their midst lived and ruled the Emperor and the Senate.
The civil government of Rome had brought great blessings to the portion of the world that it ruled. It brought order, it brought security, it brought civilization, it brought trade and prosperity, it brought architectural, scientific and technological advancement. On the other hand, there were many who decried that Roman rule brought curses - cruel subjugation, blasphemous emperor worship, oppressive taxation, etc.
How was the Christian to regard and interact with Rome’s civil authority and power?
Interestingly, Paul chooses not to address Imperial Rome and the Emperor. In describing civil government and those in positions of authority, Paul uses the most general of terms. He neither discusses any specific form of government nor any particular type of civil office. This is purposeful.
The truths brought to us in this passage pertain to all forms of government and every type of office of civil authority. It applied to the Roman Empire with its Emperor, Consuls, Senators, Tribunes, Praetors and governors of Paul’s day as it does the democratic republic with its President, Vice President, Congress, Governor, Legislature, Councilman and Mayor of our Nation in our day.
In verse 1, Paul states that "there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God."
God is the Ruler of the Universe. He possesses all power and authority. He is Lord of lords and King of kings. Whatever civil authority or power one may have in this world, it is a delegated authority and power from God the Sovereign (Jn.19:10-11). Therefore, no governing institution of civil authority exists without God having established it. Whether it be an autocracy or democracy, or monarchy, or oligarchy, or plutocracy or a republic God has established it and its offices.
What is the primary purpose of civil government? Paul teaches us, in verses 3 and 4, that civil authority is to "praise" or promote the righteous and to act as "an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil."
Here, we see that it is God’s intent that government be just and righteous. It is His will that government leaders promote righteous and suppress wickedness in society.
God’s Will for the civil authority towards the righteous is that they are to allow the follower of God, according to 1 Timothy 2:2, to "lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."
In punishing the criminal, Paul says the civil authority - "a minister of God" - "does not bear the sword for nothing." Interestingly, there are many different Greek words used to refer to the many different kinds of swords. Here, Paul uses the word which specifically refers to the executioner’s broadsword used in beheading the evildoer. Thus, Scripture does sanction capital punishment.
Since God is the establisher of all civil authority and that those who hold civil offices are ministers of God, Paul and Peter instruct us saying that Christians have four major responsibilities toward civil government:
1) Subjection.
We are to subject ourselves to governing authorities being ready to obey civil laws and statutes -
Romans 13:1, 2, "Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities.... he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God."
Titus 3:1, "Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient..."
1 Peter 2:13-15, "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For this is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men."
The only occasion when we can justify disobedience to civil authorities is when their laws or statutes violate those of the holy Scriptures -
Acts 5:29, "We must obey God rather than man."
2) Payment of taxes and customs.
Romans 13:6-7, "For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due, custom to whom custom."
3) Honor and Respect.
Romans 13:7, "Render to all what is due them:... fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor."
1 Peter 2:17, "honor the king."
4) Intercessory Prayer.
1 Timothy 2:1-2, "I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority..."
One of the most pertinent questions for the Christian in the United States is whether or not it is lawful and appropriate for them to help determine who assumes a position in our civil government? In other words, is it proper for the Christian to vote? This question has been a controversial one within the Church, during the last century.
There have been and are brethren who believe that Christians have no place involving themselves in the political process by voting. Then there has been and are brethren who believe that it is both lawful and appropriate for Christians to involve themselves in the political process by voting.
While I respect the opinion of those who choose not to vote, I belong to that group of brethren who believe it permissible and do vote.
We all understand that the New Testament does not specifically address voting. As in all matters that the Bible does not specifically address, unless there are other Scriptural principles that would clearly forbid it, we must grant that voting is a Christian liberty.
I will say that many who believe voting is wrong claim that there are Scriptural principles that are violated when the Christian votes. I would like to respond to the supposed contrary principles while explaining why I have come to believe what I do.
Assertion #1. There are those who say that the Christian should not vote because it is God, not Man, Who chooses who will rule. Picking civil leaders is God’s prerogative, not Man’s.
Rebuttal - It is true that God establishes civil authority and government but the Scriptures are silent as to how God places people in offices of authority. Perhaps this is so because God has established different forms of government to be established in different nations at various times.
The republican form of government is just as much a product of God as is a monarchy. In our republican government, God has granted the prerogative to determine who shall rule to the American people. This was God’s choice and is His Will that the people of this Nation decide.
Assertion #2. Christians ought not to vote because we may support someone that God does not want to rule. Our choice may not be His choice. In voting, we may fight against God’s choice.
Rebuttal - Again, God is the One Who established our political system. In so doing, He granted us the liberty to choose our representative leaders. As the first Chief Justice of the United States’ Supreme Court, John Jay, said it: "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers."
Our system of government was established based upon the premise that moral and righteous people would be involved in the political process. That is, that moral and righteous people would select people who share their godly values to pass and enforce laws that are moral and righteous in character. We will not fight against God if we cast our vote in accordance with what He has revealed to be His Will for civil authorities in the Scriptures.
Samuel Adams stated, "He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man."
Noah Webster, who is not only responsible for the first American dictionary but was also partially responsible for portions of our Constitution, agrees with Samuel Adams by declaring, "The moral principles and precepts contained in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws... [Therefore,[ when you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty. If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted.... If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws."
As President John Adams said, "Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to government of any other."
Assertion #3. To vote is to show a lack of faith in God and His providential power and wisdom.
Rebuttal - No, voting is a demonstration of true faith. For, James 2:17, "faith without works is dead, being by itself."
God has revealed the purpose of civil authority and what fruits he desires from civil authorities.
I pray and vote and leave the outcome to Him.
These three arguments against voting - which we have entertained - could just as well be offered to prove that the Christian should not go to the doctor or take medicine if they are sick.
The Scriptures say that it is God who heals the sick. I suppose then that since healing is God’s prerogative, I ought not do anything myself self to pursue healing since I surely do not want to interfere with God’s prerogative. Who knows, maybe by going to the doctor or taking medicine, I may be fighting against God’s desire for me to remain sick or even die. Or, since God is the One Who heals, by seeking medical attention I am showing a lack of faith in God’s providential power and wisdom.
This is silly, of course. However, it is just as silly to apply these arguments against the Christian voting.
Assertion #4. The Christian belongs to Christ’s kingdom or government. We have no business involving ourselves in the affairs of another government. In Philippians 3:20, it says "our citizenship is in heaven"; thus, a citizen of one government ought not to involve themselves in the affairs of another government.
Rebuttal - The whole discourse of Romans 13 is to tell us that we are part of two kingdoms or governments - both of which are divine in origin. We are members of a spiritual kingdom and we are under and/or part of a civil government.
We seek "first the kingdom of God and its righteousness" but, as Christ Jesus put it, "We render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s." We can do both and still please the Lord.
As for the citizenship argument, we must remember that it was Paul who wrote that we are citizens of Heaven. Yet, he not only acknowledged that he was a citizen of Rome but took full advantage of the rights and privileges of his Roman citizenship.
In Acts 22:24-29, Paul used his Roman citizenship to avoid physical punishment (i.e., flogging).
In Acts 23:12-31, Paul used his Roman citizenship to acquire Roman protection from a Jewish assassination plot. In Acts 25:9-12, Paul used the rights of his Roman citizenship to avoid a trial before the Jews and to gain a judiciary hearing before Caesar himself.
There is no doubt that Paul believed himself to be a citizen of two kingdoms and there is Scriptural record that he took full advantage of his civil and political rights as a Roman citizen. Why would it be wrong to do likewise?
Assertion #6. Politics is a dirty business. Christians should not involve themselves in party strife and dissension.
Rebuttal - Let me say that I agree that it is improper to participate in the spirit of party strife and debate. I do not advocate the Christian’s membership in nor support of any particular political party.
Thankfully, one does not have to be a member of any political party to vote. We can cast our votes for the candidates who, in our judgment, are best qualified for particular offices, without reference to party affiliation.
Assertion #6. The Christian should concentrate on changing society by converting souls rather than casting votes.
Rebuttal - Our first priority is saving souls. However, civil law provides moral and ethical boundaries for society which are very important for the well-being of society. If civil government did not provide an important benefit to society, God would never have instituted it.
Christians have had a wonderful opportunity in this Nation to create and sustain godly boundaries for our American society through the political process.
Sadly, just before WW I, the Devil through liberal infidels began convincing the Church that Christians should remain in their pews rather than show-up at the voting booth. They understood that they could never change society to their desired mold as long as moral and spiritual people continued to directly influence the political process. They convinced us of the doctrine of "Separation of Church and State" and bribed us to inactivity with tax exempt status if we never voiced a political opinion or viewpoint.
As a result, we have a nearly complete secularization of our society. Is it too late to turn our Nation around? I do not know.
As for me, as long as I have the liberty and right to vote and there are candidates who share my values, I will continue to support them with the ballot. My conscience would not allow me to take any other course.
I cannot sit back and continue to let the unborn die, the sodomites increase their power and legitimacy, schools continue being laboratories for darwinian social engineering, drugs become legalized, and humans be cloned without doing what I can to stop it.
God has given me the ability and opportunity to have a say and I will, in faith, take advantage of the ability and opportunity that His system grants me. There are still honest, moral people who are willing to fight our battles in government and I will give them my support at the voting booth. Even in the voting booth, I can be the salt of the earth and a light in this world.
As I said, toward the beginning of my remarks, I respect the brother’s or sister’s decision to not vote. I do not believe that this issue should divide us as some others believe.
However, I think it to be right for brethren to hear both sides of this issue. If I have omitted any Scriptural argument against voting, I have not done so intentionally. I have tried to fairly present both sides so that you may objectively choose your own personal course of action.
