The Christian and Civil Government (Romans 13:1–7)
Our country is presently abuzz with patriotism or despair, depending on how one views the recent inauguration of our forty-seventh president. Whatever opinions we may have about his political stance or personal life, he is our commander-in-chief and the head of our federal government. How do the Scriptures instruct us to interact with a president, or more practically, the government at large?
Several passages could allow for a book’s worth of comments, but we will only focus on Romans 13:1–7. We can at least quickly note in passing that we should regularly pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1–7) and that the NT echoes the teaching of Romans 13 in other passages (cf. Matthew 22:15–22 and parallels; 1 Peter 2:13–17; Titus 3:1). Ultimately, the Father reigns over all, Christ sits at His right hand, and Christ will establish His kingdom one day, handing it to the Father in the end (Matthew 28:18; 1 Cor 15:25–28; Hebrews 10:12–13).
Romans 13:1–7 conveniently breaks into three sections, a command guiding each, telling us twice to obey and, third, to pay our taxes (Romans 13:1a, 5a, 7a). Paul gives us three reasons to obey.
First, we obey the governing authorities because of their relationship to God.
Authorities were put into their roles by God Himself from whom all authority comes (Romans 13:1). An implication of this arrangement is that to resist the authorities is to resist God Himself. Earthly (and divine) judgment come to those who oppose (Romans 13:2).
Second, we obey the governing authorities because of their relationship to good.
However imperfectly, rulers and their judgments induce a fear of doing evil, and, conversely, rulers praise and promote good as well (Romans 13:3–4). Even in our saving grace, this common grace of God is to us for good.
Third, we obey the governing authorities because of our relationship to God.
We obey not merely from the outside-in (fear of judgment) but from the inside-out—“for the sake of conscience” (Romans 13:5b). We obey God simply because we know and desire to do what is right.
In the last couple verses of this passage, Paul becomes immensely practical and talks about taxes. We pay taxes because this practice enables a ruler to exercise the responsibilities of His God-given role (Romans 13:6). These taxes may be direct or in smaller matters (Romans 13:7a), and, whatever moral character a ruler may be, we should at least acknowledge him for his office—giving respect and honor as it is due (Romans 13:7b).
And, yes, exceptions do exist. There may be points when men must choose to obey God rather than men (Acts 4:19–20; 5:29). There is a day coming when the Antichrist will force that choice on all (Revelation 13:7–8). Generally speaking, however, though governments are made of mortal men, we obey them and pray for them as they punish evil and praise what is good.
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David Huffstutler is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Rockford, IL. He blogs here, where this article first appeared. It is republished here by permission.
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay