Romans 13
Governing Authority
The best way to read Romans 13 is to
Read Romans 12 and 13 without a break
Romans 12 is part of the answer to Romans 13
God ordained authorities and removed them
He had a purpose
When that purpose revealed the evil and failures of man
Remember God placed us under them
It is our responsibility to
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14
Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. Romans 12:17
Don’t be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good Romans 12:21
Governing Authority
If you know any history…
You know there have been and
are evil leaders and governments.
I am sure you have had a complaint about your government,
maybe on a national level or a local level.
It seems strange that Paul, who was a righteous man,
spent lots of time in jail due to the governing authorities.
So why is Paul speaking so strongly about submission
to governing authorities and going as far as to say…
The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:2
Has Paul forgotten who he was writing to?
He was writing to Roman people.
The same Roman government that crucified Jesus…
Worshiped many gods,
on their coins established their leaders
as deity and their sex gods.
The culture of Rome, Paul describes in Romans 1…
they deny God and are without excuse
The government of the United States
has legalized abortions, same sex marriages
and in some states prostitution.
So should we engage in sexual immorality.
Paul is not saying authorities are perfect.
Governments are made up of imperfect people
and some are more immoral than others.
The fact is they are people just like you, imperfect…
There are none righteous no not one.
And by God’s goodness He is patient
not willing that any should perish.
So, Paul was not saying…
Submit because the government is perfect
or any person of authority is perfect.
Romans 13:1 says…
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,
for there is no authority except that which God has established.
The authorities that exist have been established by God.
The Greek word for submit is…
hupotassó: to place or rank under, to subject, mid. To obey
Why would Paul, or God, tell us…
To submit to governing authorities?
Paul answers that question…
Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is
rebelling against what God has instituted,
and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Romans 13:2
God instituted governing authorities.
One of the reasons is to prove
the best of peoples’ government and authority
will never measure up to
the movement of God and His authority.
Israel, the people of God, wanted a king
so God gave them kings and they all failed
to bring righteousness, peace and joy
like the Kingdom of God.
Therefore, God wants to show us
He is the King of kings, by their failure.
Not because the leaders were perfect,
but because authorities…
They are God’s servants, agents of wrath
to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
Romans 13:4
There has always been those in the name of God
who have promoted civil disobedience and rebellion.
One of the reasons Jesus was sentenced to the cross was…
Because He was projected as king of the Jews.
Although Jesus’ claim that His Kingdom
was not of this world and was no threat to
Roman government, He was falsely convicted.
Jesus could have called 10,000 angels
but he submitted to Roman authority
which fulfilled the will of God,
that He might die for our sins.
Jesus answered,
“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.
Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
John 19:11
I think Paul as he was writing
to the believers in Rome…
He also wanted the Roman government to know
the people of God are not a threat to Rome.
Governments change over time.
Daniel said…
…Praise be to the name of God for ever
and ever;
wisdom
and power are his.
He changes times and seasons;
he
deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and
knowledge to the discerning.
Daniel 2:20,21
“We all do right and wrong
and we are not here for long.” WMS
But the Kingdom of God endures forever.
If we are in a place of authority,
we would do well to apply Proverbs 8:12-16.
“I, wisdom, dwell together with
prudence;
I
possess knowledge and discretion.
To fear the Lord is to hate
evil;
I
hate pride and arrogance,
evil
behavior and perverse speech.
Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I
have insight, I have power.
By me kings reign
and
rulers issue decrees that are just;
by me princes govern,
and
nobles—all who rule on earth.
Take some time to read Isaiah 45
where God anoints Cyrus as king
to destroy other evil kings.
In verses 4 and 5 says…
For the sake of Jacob my servant,
of
Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name
and
bestow on you a title of honor,
though
you do not acknowledge me.
5 I am the Lord, and there
is no other;
apart
from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
though
you have not acknowledged me,
Peter also tells believers to submit to authorities
who are sent by God for our benefit.
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, 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 people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
1 Peter 2:13-17
The best way to read Romans 13 is to…
Read Romans 12 and 13 together
as if they are one.
Romans 12 tells us…
To bless those who persecute us
To do what is right in the eyes of “Everyone”.
Let God deal with the wrong doers.
Don’t be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good.
Now if you are faced with obeying God or man…
Evaluate the situation very carefully.
In Acts 5…
The Apostles were teaching and healing many.
God was doing a great thing.
For this the authorities arrested and imprisoned them
but the angel of the Lord released them.
So, the apostles went back to teaching and healing.
When the authorities found out they rearrested them…
The authorities did this without force…
Because of fear of the people,
but I think we can say
the apostles did not resist.
The authorities gave strict order not
to teach about Jesus when first arrested.
When the authorities reminded the apostles…
They had given them strict orders
not to teach of Jesus, Peter replies…
Peter and the other apostles replied:
“We must obey God rather than human beings!
Acts 5:29
God ordained authorities and
removed them, He had a purpose.
When that purpose reveals…
The evil and failures of man…
Remember God placed us under them.
It is our responsibility to…
Bless those who persecute you;
bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:14
Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
Romans 12:17
Don’t be overcome with evil
but overcome evil with good
Romans 12:21
Scripture Reading
Romans 13:1-7
13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
