Romans Chapter 13

As we apply Romans chapter 13, to our politically-charged culture, there could be some pretty major push back as we consider this topic: "The Church, God, and Government."  While many would say that God and government don't mix very well, I suggest that government can only be understood to the degree to which we understand God.  And actually, according to what Jesus said in Matthew 22:21, we owe an allegiance to both God and to government: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s."

For the Christian, Jesus Christ must be Lord of our political views and the attitudes in which we share with others.  Incidentally, as we get closer to the return of Christ, things will get worse and the chasm between believers and unbelievers will become even more pronounced.  It's time for followers of Christ to get serious about their faith because it will become increasingly difficult to live as Christ-followers in the days to come.

God has established three primary realms in which He works: the family (Genesis 2:18-25), the church (Acts 2) and government (Genesis 9:1-7). Each one of these institutions originates with God and is accountable to Him.

God works out His plan through the family. The family is foundational because the state and the church cannot exist without it. Parents are God's delegated authority in the home, and it is the duty of children and teens to submit to them. 

Bill Hybels says: "There’s nothing like the local church when the local church is working right."

God also works out His plan through government. While we know God's plan for the family and the church, for the most part, we know less about what God thinks concerning government.

Some may be a bit mixed up, perhaps even confused about how to apply Romans chapter thirteen to our lives in this present day culture.  What God says in His Word is important even though it may not be politically popular with the "left" or the "right."  We must think biblically about civil government.

After establishing doctrine in Romans chapters 1-8, discussing the future of Israel in chapters 9-11, the Apostle Paul turns the corner in the remainder of the book by focusing on how our faith should be lived out.  According to Romans 12:1-2, we must live surrendered lives of worship to Christ, submitting to Him as He renews our minds in order to think and live differently than the ways of the world.  As members of the body of Christ, Romans 12:18 tells us that we are to live at peace with everyone, as far as it depends on us.  Then, in chapter 13, Paul reflects on how we’re to respond and relate to civic government.

This letter was written to believers in Rome. Shortly before this, many Jewish people had resisted Roman imperialism and caused such uproar that they were ordered to leave the city and now they had been allowed back. To the Roman government, Christianity was regarded as a Jewish sect.  Some commentators suggest it is the reason Paul wanted Christians to model civil obedience; to distinguish themselves from those who were rebellious and intent on overthrowing the government. Nero was the emperor at the time of the writing and a few years after this letter was written he burned Christians at the stake and fed them to the lions.

It is important to remember that the Apostle Paul carried on his back the scars from floggings he received from various government officials.  He was stoned by a mob while government officials turned their backs on him.  He knew all about the bribery and corruption that was rampant. He witnessed fellow Christians martyred and he knew well how pagan the authorities were from top down.  Most forget how wicked ancient Rome really was. Abortion flourished, sorcery and black magic abounded, homosexuality was accepted as normal, and masses of people worshipped Caesar as Lord.

In Romans 13:1, we notice that this passage is for all of us: "Everyone…"  This could also read, "Let every soul."  The following word tells us that what God is about to say next is not a suggestion: "Everyone must…"  The third and fourth words are where some really get hung up: "Everyone must submit himself…" We all know that there is little excitement when we mention the subject of submission. Let's consider the following question: Does God really expect us to submit to governing authorities?  Can't we just evaluate that expectation and conclude that submission is a thing of the past?

That leads us to the question of what it is that we're supposed to do.

Everyone must submit to the governing authorities. Verse 5 says: "Therefore it is necessary to submit to the authorities."  This is an explicit directive – no ifs, ands, or buts. There is no exclusion even though Nero wasn’t nice. 

Submission is a military term that means, "To rank under, to take one’s proper place under those who are in authority, to be in subjection."  It's the idea of curbing or submitting one's will to the will of another.  A technical definition is helpful: "The willing, intelligent submission to the authorities, out of humility, because one is conscious of God’s appointing and working through them." Someone offered this definition: "Submission means believing that God is able to accomplish His will in my life through those He has placed over me."  The key in all this is our attitude toward authority. 

Many have an emotional allergy against submission.  Romans 13 is not a stand-alone passage of Scripture.  There are other passages to also consider:

In, I Samuel 24:6, after David had an opportunity to eliminate King Saul, we read these words: "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord."

Titus 3:1-2: "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men."

1 Peter 2:13-17: "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will, that by doing good, you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king."

That last phrase sums it all up: "Fear God" and "honor the king."  That's the proper order: God, then government.  We submit "for the Lord's sake." because it's not about 'what'; it's all about ‘'who'.

The word "authorities" or "authority" occurs seven times in the first six verses of Romans 13 and literally means "to be above."  For the sake of the Savior and His mission of saving the lost, it's important for us to practice good citizenship through submission to the authorities.

An important point to consider is the 'what'.  Everyone must submit to the governing authorities.  And the best way to do the 'what' is to focus on the 'who' because it's not about 'what,' it's all about 'who'.

That leads us to the second half of verse one: "…for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

All authority is established by God.  Many are uncomfortable with this verse. That's why it is so important to focus on the 'who.'  God Himself establishes governing authorities.  This Scripture would be easier to swallow if it were talking about religious authority in the church or even authority in the home. But God says that He establishes all authorities, including the government. Verse 1 uses the word "established" twice and verse 2 says that God has "instituted."  People in government and in all authority serve by God's ordained permission.

God always works through human authorities, whether they are good or bad. That means that since God established those over us then it's kind of scary when we disobey our parents or blow off our boss or not pay the taxes we owe.  By rebelling against those over us, it's like we are rebelling against God. That means that what we do at work is a spiritual issue and how we honor and how children obey their parents is a spiritual issue and how we prepare our tax return is to be an act of worship.

It's not about the 'what' it's about 'who's’ giving the command.  Without a big view of God, it will be impossible to submit to the authorities, especially if we think they are evil or we disagree with them in some way.  And, if we don’t submit to authority when we're young, we will end up going down a bad path when we’re older.

To help us expand our view of the Almighty and to see His absolute sovereignty behind human authority, let's ponder some passages of Scripture.
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God allowed Rehoboam, a bad king, to rule in 1 Kings 12:15: "So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from the Lord…"

Proverbs 21:1: "The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases."

Isaiah 45:1 says that God used King Cyrus to accomplish His purposes: "This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut."

Daniel 2:21: "He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them."

In Daniel 4:32, after King Nebuchadnezzar boasted about building Babylon, the Almighty answered: "You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes."  Then, after Nebuchadnezzar repented, he said these words that show us that he knew God to be big and mighty and in control in verse 35: "He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: 'What have you done?'"

In John 19:11, Jesus put Pilate in his proper place. After Pilate bragged about possessing power, Jesus said this: "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above."

After the resurrection, Jesus made this statement in Matthew 28:18: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."

God works out His ways and His will - even through evil rulers.  Check out Acts 4:27-28: "Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen."

And so we see that it doesn’t matter whether a government exists because a king appointed his son to rule, or a dictator came to power by force, or a tribal chief has defeated his rivals, or a people have voted for their candidate - all authority is there because God put it there.  It is clear that the Bible does not endorse one particular form of civil government.  God is not a Republican or a Democrat - when Jesus returns He won't be riding an elephant or a donkey. God isn't even an American.

Submitting to authorities applies to democracies, aristocracies, autocracies, dictatorships, despotism, and communism.  This is exactly what Romans 13:1 says - twice - as we're pulled from the 'what' to the 'who': "For there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

Some questions to ponder:

1. How do we positively engage with government in a country like ours where in a certain sense the government is us?

2. Is there ever a time when a Christian should disobey a law?

3. What will you do if funds for abortions come from tax dollars in the Health Care Bill?

Living out our faith

When we find our self getting angry about a political issue or a politician, we need to stop and pray.  1 Timothy 2:1-2: "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

As Christian citizens, we need to inform ourselves on the issues, including researching political positions of candidates who are running for office.  We can also do our best to help worthy candidates in their campaigns.  And, of course, we need to vote and encourage other believers and moral people to do the same.

We should contact our representatives in Augusta and Washington to express our views especially when it comes to Biblical morality.

We can also have a significant influence on our government by getting involved with Christian organizations like the Christian Civic League that are affecting politics.  As Abraham Lincoln said, "We are a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people."

God help us to be faithful.

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The Christian Civic League of Maine was formed in 1897 to name and confront sin.  Today, the League continues to minister in a similar tradition.  The only solution is both the most costly and least expensive which is the righteousness of Jesus Christ - the Gospel.