Romans, Day 10
Timely Insight (Romans 13)
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment” (Romans 13:1 – 2).
I have received many phone calls that eventually lead to a question that starts out like this: “What do you think about our government’s actions concerning . . . ?” As I searched the Scriptures at the beginning of last year about the authority of government in a believer’s life, I found that the Bible clearly explains our call to submit to the authorities God has put in place. It is evident in Scripture that our responsibility as citizens is to be subject to the government and obey the laws of the government (Romans 13:1 – 7; I Peter 2:13 – 14).
I think it is good for every believer to be reminded of the reason God created government and established guidelines for civil government. We see God begin to establish guidelines for civil government in Genesis 9:5 – 6, when He declares a reckoning of justice to be carried out on those who take a person’s life (murder). As history progresses from this declaration by God in His covenant with Noah, we see in certain parts of Scripture that the development of the responsibilities of government includes:
1) punishing evil and encouraging good (Genesis 9:5 – 6, Psalm 82:2 – 4, Daniel 4:27).
2) serving the people and seeking the good of the people, not the ruler (Deuteronomy 16:19, Psalm 26:10, Proverbs 15:27, 17:23, Isaiah 33:15, Ezekiel 22:12, Amos 5:12, Habakkuk. 1:2 – 4).
3) safeguarding human liberty (Genesis 2:16 – 17, Isaiah 61:1, Matthew 11:28).1
Paul used the first section of Romans 13 to dismiss the belief that “Christians . . . need not submit to pagan authorities since they only acknowledged Christ’s authority.”2 In the first verse of the chapter, Paul states we are to be subject to the governing authorities. Paul uses the Greek word hupotassó, which means “to be subject to, or to obey.” Hupotassó “was used of a soldier’s absolute obedience to his superior officer.” This is a call for believers to submit to governing authorities in all areas under their authority. This includes “every position of civil authority without regard to competency, . . . reasonableness, or any other caveat.”3 As he begins to address our civic responsibility to submit to governing authorities, Paul reminds his readers that God has appointed the leaders in power and that resisting them will “incur judgment.” Also, he points out that not obeying ruling authorities will affect the believer’s conscience (Romans 13:7).
This season has led to a need for discernment for all of us concerning our response to certain situations and guidelines that are passed down by our governmental authorities on a consistent basis. I have seen so much frustration concerning the barrage of issues and responses to them in this challenging season. I have also seen brothers and sisters in Christ graciously love each other in spite of their different opinions, resisting the labeling and canceling of people because of their views on certain subjects.
In the final part of Romans 13, Paul shifts from our relationship as believers to the government and moves toward our relationships with each other (Romans 13:8 –14). These verses give us insight into how to live as believers in these trying times. His first focus is a call to pay our bills, and then He focuses on our call to love each other by declaring that “one who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8). These words echo the words Paul wrote to the Galatians: “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Galatians 5:14). The chapter ends with more instructive words, “ . . . put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Galatians 13:14).
In this chapter, Paul is challenging us to submission and love. These are two themes that he explores throughout the epistles and considers them key components of walking properly as followers of Jesus. In fact, we are told at the end of Paul’s section on walking in love in Ephesians 5 that we should submit “to one another out of reverence for Christ.” In this verse, “to submit means to yield in love to another person. Yet there are definite limits when it comes to submission. Submission should not lead to wrongdoing or questionable behavior. But when we submit by putting our own interests aside, we will see increased unity in the body of Christ and the strengthening of other believers.”4
I know this devotion leads to so many questions! This season has stretched my discernment muscles as I seek God daily on how to respond to the political climate, news of the day, and hurting and frustrated people who are losing hope. We are blessed to have a God Who is walking with us every step of the way, Who is in control of our government, and Who has given us a clear call to love our neighbor as ourselves. Understanding our relationship with God and each other assists us in navigating the waves of culture that seem to be crashing in on all our lives. We must make decisions about our responses to the questions of the day driven by time in God’s Word, engaging in biblically-driven discussions with each other about areas of concern, and praying for God’s revealed will in how to act appropriately in every situation. These are perilous times, but we must remember that we are still blessed with the presence of a God Who promises to direct us into His perfect peace in the middle of the chaos.
Pastor Chuck
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1 For an in-depth, biblically-driven discussion of the authority of government, see Wayne Gruden’s Politics According to the Bible: Zondervan, 2010, specifically Chapter 3: Biblical Principles Concerning Government (p. 77 – 115). Also for insight on when it is appropriate to disobey civil government, please see the section, “When it is right to disobey the civil government,” found on page 88.
2 What Does Every Bible Chapter Say? John Hunt, Ed., AMG Publishers (2011), 1199.
3 John Macarthur Study Bible (ESV), note for Roman 13:1, be subject. Crossway (2010), 1673.
4 Quest Study Bible (NIV), question from 5:21: Should we constantly give in to others?, Zondervan (2011). Found at biblegateway.com (03/01/2021).