Skip to main content

ROMANS

CHAPTERS

Romans 13:1-7

1 “Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Pay to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.”


Paul’s words may seem controversial especially in light of the fact that he was writing to Romans. Rome was not pretty 2000 years ago. Christians were being persecuted and even blamed for the burning of Rome. And then Paul says that they are to be subject to the very same governing authorities who are blaming them. This means that Christians are to follow the laws of the land. When we do this, we will avoid consequences from the government. 

Opposed will receive condemnation: A legalistic interpretation of this verse leads us to believe that God is doing the condemnation whenever we break an established law. However, the condemnation mentioned in this passage is not from God. It is from the government. Christians are not immune to earthly consequences when governmental laws are broken. This is not an invitation to passivity as if we should not try to change and influence the government. Rather, it’s an invitation to respect the governing authorities by keeping the established laws.

Minister of God: The government is used by God to maintain order. Christians have nothing to gain by not keeping the law of the land. 

Wrath: Paul is again speaking not of God’s wrath but the wrath of the government. If we do not obey the laws, there will be consequences. This is what it means to be in subjection to the rulers and authorities. 

Pay to all what is due them: Christians are not immune to needing to support the government. We are to give to our authorities what is due to them be it taxes or other means of support.

Previous Chapter Next

ROMANS

CHAPTERS