Romans 13:1-5 “Everyone must submit himself 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, he who 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 he will commend you. 4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent 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 because of conscience.”
Romani 13:1-5 «Ogni persona stia sottomessa alle autorità superiori; perché non vi è autorità se non da Dio, e quelle che esistono sono stabilite da Dio. 2 Perciò chi resiste all’autorità si oppone all’ordine di Dio; quelli che vi si oppongono si attireranno addosso una condanna; 3 infatti i magistrati non sono da temere per le opere buone, ma per le cattive. Tu, non vuoi temere l’autorità? Fa’ il bene e avrai la sua approvazione, 4 perché il magistrato è un ministro di Dio per il tuo bene; ma se fai il male, temi, perché egli non porta la spada invano; infatti è un ministro di Dio per infliggere una giusta punizione a chi fa il male. 5 Perciò è necessario stare sottomessi, non soltanto per timore della punizione, ma anche per motivo di coscienza.”
Sometimes we look at Scriptures but don’t think about the conditions that existed at the time of the writing. When these verses were written, Rome was an imperial power that dominated, persecuted and at times martyred Christians. Even though they may have paid the price for living for Christ, Paul reminds them to submit to governing authorities. We also may view our civil leaders as self-centered, egotistical and being more interested in personal power and control; but we have the same command that was given to the persecuted Romans.
It may be difficult for us to submit to such leaders as we may see them in light of their personal and political lives as not honoring God. But the command of these verses is not referring to their spiritual lives but rather to their civil responsibility in governing. They make laws (some good and some not so good) but their role must be respected because the Scriptures says that they “have been established by God.”
It is also clear the only time as believers that we may disregard civil authority is when it directly contradicts a command by God. In Acts 4:18-20, Peter and John were commanded by civil authorities not to speak about Jesus and they responded in verse 20, “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” It was Daniel who would not stop praying and the three Hebrew young men who would not bow down to worship the king when the orders demanded obedience or death.
As believers in clear conscience, we should do everything we possibly can to present ourselves as good citizens, albeit in a corrupt society, in obedience to God’s established authority.
Pray with me: Lord, I must confess that I find it hard at times to submit to civil authorities who I believe are not always benevolent in their service to people. Help me to submit in obedience to You for the sake of my testimony before God and man.
