Bible Studies for Life
Assistant Professor of Religion, Department of Religion, Samford University
KEY CHRISTIAN DUTIES
Romans 13:1–14
Submit to Civil Authorities (1–7)
After describing God’s will in terms of human relationships in Christ’s body (Rom. 12:1–21), Paul now addresses the proper perspective on human government. Paul begins this chapter with a clear command: “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God” (1). He goes on to contend that resistance to government is opposition to God since God has authorized it for an ordered society (2–7).
Paul’s injunction echoes a theme found in the Old Testament as well as the New. After the Flood, God instituted the requirement of execution for anyone who takes another human life (Gen. 9:6–7). Likewise God gave Israel the law to establish justice (Ex. 20–23; Deut. 12–26). Throughout the Old Testament, God established and controlled all governments. When Israel was disobedient, God used other governments to judge His people (e.g., 2 Kings 17, 24–25; Isa. 45, 47; Jer. 25). In the Gospels, when His opponents offered a false choice between God and government, Jesus declared, “Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25).
The Bible also presents cases in which the government should not be obeyed. The Hebrew midwives rightly disobeyed Pharaoh’s command to kill newborn boys, allowing Moses’ birth (Ex. 1). When he prophesied against an evil king, the prophet Micaiah was imprisoned by his government (1 Kings 22). Daniel and his three companions courageously resisted the government’s idolatrous requirements, with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego facing the consequences of the fiery furnace (Dan. 3) and Daniel facing the consequences of the lion’s den (Dan. 6).
Moreover, in Daniel, in Jesus’ prediction of the end (Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21) and in Revelation, the Bible foresees government corruption to such an extent that believers are martyred and only a supernatural intervention can bring justice from heaven to earth.
The necessity of civil disobedience in certain situations is further illustrated by numerous examples from Christian history: apostles being executed in the Book of Acts, the Romans feeding Christian martyrs to lions, Roman Catholic officials persecuting Protestant reformers, Puritans seeking free religious expression, American colonies warring against British tyranny, Christian abolitionist fighting against American slavery, Christian women pursuing the right to vote and sit-ins and marches during the American civil rights movement. These examples point out at least two important facts. First, Christians have long recognized the twin truths of God’s establishment of government’s power on the one hand and the possible forfeiture of that power by evil in government on the other hand. Second, in many cases, sincere Christians have been on opposite sides, disagreeing over whether the circumstance required obedience or disobedience.
Wear the Character of Christ (8–14)
The criterion of love is one way to determine whether one’s actions are consistent with God’s will. If one loves the other, then one will not commit adultery with another’s wife, steal from another, covet another’s possessions or take another’s life. As Paul says, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law” (10).
The guiding principle of love should be applied to believers and nonbelievers alike. In Paul’s ancient context, where pagans controlled the government, one expression of love may have been respect for those in civil authority.
Christians can surely learn from this example in our contemporary context. Too often, Christians are inclined toward passionate partisan rhetoric against political opponents. This occurs on the right and the left. Such rhetorical excess usually results from a loss of focus among believers; believers can confuse partisan political goals with God’s Kingdom. While God certainly works through government, God requires ultimate allegiance to only one Ruler, the Lord Jesus Christ.
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