Romans: Authorities

In Romans 12, Paul shows us that God’s mercy doesn’t just save us—it reshapes the way we see ourselves and one another. He calls us to offer our whole being to God, reminding us that every talent, every opportunity, every ounce of strength is a gift of grace. We’re part of one body, each with a place to serve, none more important than the other, and none without purpose.
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But Paul doesn’t stop there. The life transformed by God’s mercy isn’t meant to be lived only inside church walls; it spills out into our neighborhoods, workplaces, and even into how we respond to those in authority. Romans 13 addresses how believers live as people of grace in the midst of a world that doesn’t always share our hope.

I want to be honest: I’ve struggled with this passage all week. In light of the political climate over the past few years, it’s challenging to speak about politics and government from the pulpit. It’s been said that if you want to avoid conflict, don’t talk about religion or politics—and here we are, talking about both! But my intent is not to preach politics; it’s to preach the Word of God. My goal is to let Paul speak in context and invite us to hear his teaching without importing all our modern political assumptions.

Romans 13 has often been preached or quoted in ways that people use to advance political agendas or silence dissent. That is unfortunate. Romans 13 wasn’t written for a democracy; it was addressed to Christians living under Imperial Rome. The church had no clout, no lobbyists, no voice in shaping public policy. Understanding that context is essential for interpreting Paul’s words faithfully.
 
Church and State: A Long Debate
John Stott observes that relations between church and state have been controversial throughout Christian history. He identifies four main models:

1. Erastianism – the state controls the church.
2. Theocracy – the church controls the state.
3. Constantinianism – a compromise in which the state favors the church and the church accommodates the state to retain its favor.
4. Partnership – church and state recognize each other’s God-given responsibilities and collaborate constructively.
   
   

The fourth model seems most consistent with Paul’s teaching in Romans 13. Jesus hinted at this distinction when He said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” Paul’s focus here is not a theory of church–state relations but the believer’s personal attitude toward governing authorities.

At the time Paul wrote, there were no Christian rulers—globally, regionally, or locally. The authorities were Roman or Jewish and often hostile to the small house churches. Yet Paul viewed them as instruments God permitted to exist, requiring Christians to submit and cooperate as far as conscience allowed. This reflects a biblical truth: the God of Scripture is sovereign over human kingdoms and grants them authority as He sees fit.

Romans 13:1–7

In the political structures of Rome, government power belonged to a few, to those earned by birth, wealth, connections, or ruthless ambition. For the vast majority, there was no political voice, no realistic path to reform. For us, shaped by centuries of democracy, it’s hard to imagine such a world.

Paul’s readers would not have dreamed of organizing a protest or voting Caesar out of office. All they could do was live within the system, hoping for peace and security. The young Christian communities in Rome were small, vulnerable, and dependent on the goodwill of magistrates. They had every reason to avoid provoking suspicion.

So Paul’s call to submit was, in part, common sense. The church had no leverage to challenge imperial decrees; rebellion would only invite judgment and jeopardize their mission. Submission, where possible, allowed the gospel to advance without unnecessary distraction.
Paul roots his counsel in theology: political authority ultimately comes from God. Jewish believers knew this from Israel’s history. They remembered exile under Babylonian kings and oppression under foreign empires. Daniel 4:17 declares, “The Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world. He gives them to anyone he chooses—even to the lowliest of people.”
That truth offered comfort to believers living under hostile regimes. God’s sovereignty didn’t erase their vulnerability, but it reassured them that tyrants were not ultimate. Their power was temporary and accountable to God’s judgment.

Submission and Its Limits
Paul warns against rebellion, for those who resist lawful authority oppose what God has established and invite judgment. Submission, then, is both proper and wise. But it’s crucial to avoid misreading Paul’s intent.

He does not teach that every ruler, whether Herod, Nero, Domitian, Hitler, Stalin, Kim Jong Un, or Putin, has been handpicked by God in such a way that their cruelty is God’s will. Nor does he imply that Christians must obey every command, no matter how unjust. Paul’s point is that authority, as a principle, is derived from God. Even corrupt officials exercise power on borrowed terms, as Jesus reminded Pilate: “You would have no authority over me unless it had been given you from above.”

Sadly, Romans 13:2, “Whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted”, has been twisted to defend tyranny and silence dissent. Authoritarian regimes and even some church leaders have used it to demand unconditional loyalty. However, the broader context makes it clear that Paul is not endorsing blind obedience or moral passivity.
So, what happens when rulers pervert their calling, rewarding evil and punishing good? Paul doesn’t spell out every scenario, but Scripture provides a boundary: we submit until obedience to the state would mean disobedience to God. When civil law contradicts divine law, our duty is to obey God rather than people. As Peter and the apostles told the Sanhedrin, “We must obey God rather than men.” John Stott aptly summarizes: “Whenever laws are enacted which contradict God’s law, civil disobedience becomes a Christian duty.”

Submission is not subservience. It is an ordered respect for authority under God’s ultimate rule. At times, faithfulness requires peaceful resistance, always marked by humility and the willingness to bear consequences, but rooted in allegiance to Christ above all.

Taxes and Practical Wisdom
Paul adds a specific application: “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants.” Nowhere else does he discuss taxes in his letters, so why here?
First-century believers faced a complex system of taxes—some legitimate, others oppressive. Refusing to pay could draw dangerous attention to fragile house churches. Paul likely urged compliance not because all taxes were fair but to protect congregations from needless hostility. Paying what was due kept the church free to focus on its mission rather than being entangled in legal disputes.
Paul concludes by calling believers to respect and honor those in office. Honor doesn’t mean uncritical approval, but it does mean recognizing their role and treating them with dignity, even when we disagree.

Living This Out Today
Paul’s teaching doesn’t envision a Christian political party or a “Christian state.” He writes to politically powerless believers, not to people shaping public policy. Yet his words still guide us in modern democracies where citizens wield influence and can evaluate whether governments serve the common good.

Our context introduces new responsibilities. We can and should vote, advocate, and hold leaders accountable, and these were privileges unimaginable to Paul’s readers. However, this freedom also carries dangers: division, disrespect, and distrust can erode our witness. Romans 13 reminds us that political engagement must be grounded in humility, prayer, and love for neighbor.

When governments protect justice and order, Christians should cooperate gladly. When they falter or abuse power, we should speak truth, seek reform, or, if necessary, practice respectful resistance. Yet our hope is never in legislation or parties; it rests in the King whose reign is just and everlasting.

Practical Encouragement for Today
Romans 13 invites believers to hold together three truths:

1. God remains sovereign over the nations, even when their paths seem crooked.
2. Christians honor Him by respecting legitimate authority and contributing to public good.
3. Our allegiance to Christ sets a boundary: we must never deny His lordship to appease human power.
   
   

Conclusion
Romans 13:1–7 calls us to live as citizens of two kingdoms. We honor earthly authorities because God ordains order for human flourishing. We pray for leaders, pay taxes, and respect laws that serve the common good. At the same time, our ultimate allegiance belongs to Jesus Christ, whose authority surpasses every throne and political party.
Paul does not give us a blueprint for every political question. Instead, he provides principles: respect rightful authority, resist lawless commands, and let your conduct commend the gospel. Submission is not blind; it is discerning, rooted in trust that God remains sovereign even when rulers fail.

As we navigate complex times, may we keep mercy at the center, loving our neighbors, respecting those in office, and courageously standing for what is right. And above all, may we remember that the government of this world rests on Christ’s shoulders. He is the true Lord, and one day every ruler will bow before Him. Until then, we live faithfully, doing good, praying for peace, and shining as lights in a darkened world. So, whether you find yourself frustrated by headlines or fearful about the future, take heart: the same God who steadied believers under Caesar still reigns today. As we submit where we can, resist where we must, and love always, we bear witness to a King whose reign is righteous and whose mercy endures forever.

 
Reflection Questions

1. How does remembering that God is sovereign over earthly rulers shape your attitude toward political authority?
   God’s rule over every kingdom gives us perspective in responding to human leadership.
   • What changes in your thinking when you remember that authority is ultimately delegated from God?
   • How can this truth bring calm in seasons of political unrest?
2. Where might God be calling you to practice respectful submission, even when you find leadership difficult?
   Submission honors God when it flows from trust in His wisdom.
   • Are there specific situations where you struggle to respect those in authority?
   • How might humility and prayer reshape your posture toward them?
3. How can you discern when obedience to rulers would compromise obedience to God?
   God’s Word provides a higher standard for our actions.
   • What examples in Scripture help you think through civil disobedience wisely?
   • How can the Spirit guide you to resist with grace if obedience to God requires it?
4. In what ways can paying taxes or following laws become an act of worship?
   Ordinary duties can honor Christ when offered with gratitude.
   • How do these practices reflect trust in God’s provision and order?
   • What would it look like for you to view civic responsibilities as part of discipleship?
5. How can believers steward political freedoms for the sake of the gospel?
   Our freedoms are opportunities for witness and service.
   • Where might you use your influence to uphold justice or protect the vulnerable?
   • How can you speak or act in ways that honor Christ in public life?
6. How might Romans 13 call you to pray differently for those in power?
   Interceding for leaders reflects trust in God’s providence.
   • What would it look like to pray not just for policies you prefer but for rulers’ wisdom and integrity?
   • How could faithful prayer transform your heart toward them?
7. What does it mean for you, personally, to live as a citizen of grace in today’s world?
   Citizenship in God’s kingdom shapes how we engage earthly systems.
   • Where is God inviting you to model hope and respect in your community?
   • How can you bear witness to Christ’s reign through everyday civic faithfulness

 

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