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Romans 13:1-7
Paul has been teaching the assemblies in Rome about genuine love Gods love, which gives what is
needed for the good of others. Love is the way the only way in which the Christ One can effectively
carry out his ministry of reconciling men to God.
We saw that Paul began with the sanctification of the Christ One himself, which enables him to love others;
then Paul discussed the love of the Christ One for his brothers, in the Lord; next, Paul showed how the
Christ One expresses his love to those outside of the Body of Christ to unbelievers.
Now as we continue in chapter 13, we see that Paul begins to discuss the relationship of believers to
governing authorities. It would seem that Paul can no longer be talking about love; surely no one can love
a government!
But this is indeed a continuation of Pauls entire passage on genuine love, which he will sum up, as he
concludes his remarks about believers and the government. And as we consider carefully what Paul is
saying, we will come to an understanding of the role of genuine love, even in this area.
Well be considering the first seven verses of the chapter, but I want to read one verse further, where we see
Paul begin to transition to his concluding remarks about love.
[Romans 13:1-8]
So Paul exhorts believers to submit to the governing authorities, and expresses reasons why they should do
so. As an example of this submission, Paul cites the payment of taxes, something that citizens owe to their
government.
Now in verse 8, we can see that Paul is transitioning from the idea of paying what is owed to conclude his
passage on love; owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another the fulfillment of the Law. You can
see how this ties back to his comments on paying taxes owed to the government, which fulfills the civil
law. This makes it clear that verses 1-7 are not a diversion, but a continuation of Pauls discussion on love.
But what does love have to do with government? Can you love a government? No; love is always for
others other people. The government is not a person; it is an institution. You cant love an institution.
So what does love have to do with government? As we explore the details of what Paul has to say here,
what we will see is that the Christ One, because of his love for God, is willing to submit to the government
human government. This is the submission of Love to authority.
We can look back and see the orderly flow of Pauls thoughts. He had begun considering love within the
believer, himself; then love toward his fellow believers, then love directed at unbelieving individuals, and
now Paul considers The Christ Ones love of all men, within a society. That love is expressed by the
submission to the laws which govern the society.
We remember that the Christ Ones love is an expression of Gods love which gives what is needed, for
the good of others. The Christ One must give his submission to the government, for submission is what is
needed for the good of society.
Lets consider Pauls first thought on this.

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v. 1 So Paul gives an instruction to the believers in Rome, and also gives a reason for why they should do
it. Paul is calling for them to be subject to the governing authorities. They are right in Rome the capital
of the whole Roman Empire, the very seat of the civil government. Even in the outlying provinces of the
empire, Rome ruled with an iron fist; how much more so, in the capital?
Yet just ten years prior to this time, the Jews in Rome had been rioting it is thought that unbelieving Jews
were instigating trouble over Jews who believed into Christ. The emperor at that time, Claudius, had
expelled all Jews believer and unbeliever, alike.
It had been only five years ago that the edict was repealed with the death of Claudius, and the Jews had
returned. The authorities would surely have kept a suspicious eye in the direction of the troublesome Jews
and that would have extended to the church, as well, with its Jewish brethren the Romans saw them as
no different.
And the Jews were even more problematic in Judea, where they agitated on a periodic basis, chafing
against the yoke that Rome had imposed upon them. Although the Romans were tolerant of other religions,
they were not tolerant of civil disobedience, and had punished Judea periodically with impunity. The Jews
were high profile on Romes watch list; whether those Jews were in the church would have made no
difference to them.
But just the opposite was true regarding Gentiles. Gentiles who had become believers ceased to associate
with their pagan neighbors; they no longer reverenced the pantheon of Roman gods, nor participated in
temple worship. It would have been notable to Romans throughout the empire that those Gentiles who now
believed into Christ were different, and that difference would have generated mistrust.
So Paul is calling the believers in Rome to be subject to the governing authorities to submit to their rulers.
Certainly this would do much to dispel the mistrust that the Roman government and society would
naturally have, of believers when they see that the Roman believers are law-abiding citizens. And
although that is not the reason why the believers in Rome should submit to their rulers, it is a wonderful
benefit, of that submission.
But is this just Pauls instruction to the believers in Rome? No; this is not a specific statement; it would
include all of believers, through all time including you and me. In fact, look at how Paul begins: Let
every soul be subject to the governing authorities every soul here means every person everyone.
Believers and unbelievers alike all men are to be subject to the governing authorities to human
government. Of course, unbelievers may not heed that instruction; but believers are certainly to heed it.
Why should they? Paul gives the reason; for there is no authority except from God; and the authorities that
exist are appointed by God.
You mean to tell me that God appointed our president, of the United States? Yes; thats exactly what Paul
is saying; and that certainly puts him in a different light, doesnt it? Gods light.
But what exactly does it mean, that God appoints the governing authorities; all of them? It means that God
directs and controls their appointment; God entrusts specific individuals with the power to rule over men,
and God has the authority to remove those individuals from power when He so pleases; in accordance with
His will.

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The prophet Daniel recorded the judgment of God upon King Nebuchadnezzar, who prided himself for the
greatness of his kingdom and his dominion. The judgment was to teach Nebuchadnezzar that it was not he,
but the Most High God that is, the Possessor of Heaven and Earth who rules in the kingdom of men;
and the Most High God gives that kingdom to whomever He chooses (Dan 4:17, 25).
God had given Nebuchadnezzar his kingdom, and God took it away; and when Nebuchadnezzar repented,
God restored his kingdom to him again (Dan 4:34-37).
If God is good, and does only good (Ps 119:68); and if God appoints governing authorities; does it mean
that men governing over other men that is, human government is good? Yes; that is the inescapable
conclusion. Human government is good. In fact, human government was instituted by God.
Turn to Genesis chapter 9. After sin had come into the world of men, Satan began to build his world
system on the face of Gods earth, through those sons of Adam who bought into his lies. Men began to
multiply on the earth, and the LORD saw that the unrestrained wickedness of man was great on the earth; that
every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil, continually (Gen 6:5). The earth, populated by
wicked men, was corrupt before God, and filled with violence (Gen 6:11).
After giving men 120 years to have a change of heart, the LORD cleansed His earth with the flood, saving
the one man who found grace in His eyes; the righteous Noah. God also extended His mercy to Noahs
family his wife, sons, and their wives for the sake of preserving the human race, so that Gods purposes
through His creation of mankind would be realized.
With the judgment past, God was now ready to continue His purposes through Noah and his sons. The
command to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth was renewed to them, for that would be the source of
sons for Gods kingdom. And it was at this time that God instituted a safeguard; a protection over the lives
of men, so that they would have that opportunity to become a son in Gods kingdom.
[Genesis 9:5-7]
Here we see the first and most fundamental aspect of human government: God is placing into the hands of
Noah and his sons of all mankind an element of His justice: whoever takes a mans life, his life will be
forfeit in return. First and foremost is Gods regard for the preciousness of the life of a man.
God gave men life, in a flesh body, to provide them with the opportunity to become a son of God, in a body
of glory in His image. To deprive a man of that opportunity is a heinous act, which must be punished.
The retributive aspect a life for a life reflects Gods justice, Gods fairness. It also is designed to serve
as a deterrent from committing such a crime. In this way, through the institution of human governance over
the actions of society, God provided a restraint on the wickedness of man; on the evil intents of the
thoughts of his heart; a stay on the corrupting ways of flesh men; on their violent tendencies.
Notice that it is God who demands a reckoning for shed blood; God, who requires the life, if one is taken.
It is Gods judgment, and His justice. But it is administered through men; not individual men, but men
whom God appoints for this purpose. Thats the beginning of human government.
Human government has taken many forms, over time. Are any of them perfect; perfectly just? No. And
some have certainly been worse than others. But what is remarkable is how similar mens laws have been;
Im referring to the fundamental rule of law, in the land, not the legislative details. Laws against killing;
against stealing, against violence.

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It is as if men who designed these laws share a common truth, concerning what is right, and what is wrong.
And, in fact, they do; we learned about that, in Romans chapter 2.
Paul wrote that men by nature innately do the things in the law that is, the Law of God. God has
written His law within all mens hearts; they are born with His divine standard of righteousness, right in
their minds.
And all men have a conscience an inner judge which bears witness to them, measuring up their actions
against that divine standard, showing them right from wrong (Rm 2:14-15).
It is from these resources, which God has given to all men, that men perhaps unwittingly have drawn up
their laws, to govern their lands. So the fundamental laws that govern societies ultimately trace their source
back to God. And the vitality of a given society depends on how closely their laws adhere to Gods
standards, and how well those standards are implemented.
And thats where we see problems, with human government from humans. We see despotic rulers, who
oppress the people; corrupt legislators, with vested interests; dishonest judges, who issue unfair rulings. It
all comes down to self will; serving self; promoting ones own interests, at the expense of others; the mark
of men, in the flesh. And these are the men who are governing.
It gets worse. These men are part of the world system, which lies in the evil one (1 Jn 5:19). They are
governing in kingdoms that are under Satans authority, and the rulers at the highest levels are most often
his men; they are the seed of the serpent, who carry out his will.
Turn to Luke chapter 4. After Jesus was baptized by John for His ministry on earth, the Spirit led Him into
the wilderness, where He was tempted by the devil. During this time, the devil offered Jesus the kingdoms
of the world.
[Luke 4:5-8]
The devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world kingdoms that he had built on Gods earth in all
their glittering worldliness. And the devil offered to give Jesus the authority over them.
Did Jesus correct Satan, when Satan indicated his possession of the authority of these kingdoms, and that
Satan could give it to whomever he pleased? No. Thats because the devil does have that authority.
But note that even Satan said it was delivered to him; for Satan can have nothing that God has not allowed
him to have. God has allowed Satan to build his kingdoms, on the face of Gods earth. Why? To furnish
men with an alternative choice, to the Kingdom of God; so that they can exercise their freedom of choice.
This temptation of the devil was no kind of temptation for Jesus. He knew that He is the Fathers appointed
heir of all things (Heb 1:1); all things were created through Him, and for Him (Col 1:16). In submission to
the Fathers will, in accordance with the Fathers timing, Jesus knew even then that the true kingdom was
His in heaven, and on earth.
And unlike Satans virtual kingdoms, the kingdom of Christ will have genuine glory. It will be a kingdom
of perfect righteousness, with a government that truly serves the good of the people. It will be a kingdom
of perfect peace, because there will be perfect submission to its ruler, Jesus. And it will be a forever
kingdom the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Pet 1:11).

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But in the interim, we have imperfect human government thats the temporal reality. And although we are
not of the world, we are in it; and we live within the jurisdiction of one or another of those governments,
with their less-than-perfect rulers and administrators.
[Return to Romans 13]
So whats a Christ One to do? Paul is saying, recognize that God has instituted government Himself, as a
restraint on men in the flesh; recognize that God has appointed every ruler Himself, and that ruler is serving
Gods purposes, for as long as he is given by God to rule. And armed with this perspective, now the Christ
One is free free to willingly subject himself to the governing authorities in his society, which provides a
witness for good, to men in this world.
Notice that Paul did not say obey the governing authorities, but instead be subject to the governing
authorities. There is a difference. The verb, to be subject means to place under in an orderly fashion
and it is a continuous action, in the Greek. It is a subordination; a willingness to occupy ones proper place;
in this case, to place oneself in submission to governmental authority.
Generally, this would indeed mean that the believer is to obey the government. But the believer is also
subject to God, who is a higher authority than the government He is the supreme authority. So the idea of
being subject brings out that if there is a conflict between the will of God and the will of the government,
the believer is to obey God.
We can think of several cases in Scripture, which show such a conflict. We recall the midwives of the
Hebrew women in Egypt, ordered by Pharaoh to kill Israels infant sons, who disobeyed that evil command,
because they feared God (Ex 1:15-21).
And there were Daniels three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who would not obey King
Nebuchadnezzars edict, to serve his gods, or worship his golden image because they worshipped the true
and living God, and would not bow down to idols (Dan 3).
The book of Acts records two occasions where the apostles refused to submit to the governing body of the
Jews the Sanhedrin who had commanded them not to speak at all or to teach in the name of Jesus. But
Jesus had commanded them to preach the gospel to all nations and they knew that they must obey God,
rather than men (Acts 4:18-20, 5:28-29).
The ultimate conflict between serving government or God will come during the Tribulation, when men will
be commanded to worship the Beast, or be executed; but if they do so, they will be condemned by God to
the Lake of Fire (Rev 13:15, 14:9-11).
But Paul doesnt list any exceptions here, does he? Why not? Because they are exceptions. The Christ
One needs to position himself under the authority of the government, obeying its rulers and administrators
and if there is a conflict, will not the Holy Spirit reveal this to a Christ One? Of course He will.
But perhaps Paul couldnt know just how corrupt government would become, in our day; how crooked and
self-serving the rulers would be; and the evil and the violence, of contemporary society. After all, Paul
lived a long time ago.
Hmmm what were things like, in Pauls day? Well, the Romans had created their empire by conquest
and bloodshed; people were taken into their society by force. Half of the population were slaves, serving
the other half; the conquered peoples, serving the conquerors.

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The emperors in Pauls time were all ruthless, self-serving despots who spent lavishly on themselves and
their favorites, engaging in decadent lifestyles and exorbitant building projects, designed to promote their
own glory. Since the time of Augustus, they had promoted themselves even further to gods; in fact,
emperor-worship was the official religion of the state. And the corruption of Roman society was infamous.
As we consider this, we can see that Paul is well-qualified to speak to our day, and as his words are inspired
by the Holy Spirit, we would do well to heed them.
Unless the Holy Spirit shows us that something our government is asking us to do is a violation of the will
of God, we are to obey the government. This includes the federal, state, and local government; president,
governor and mayor; and it includes not just those who make the laws, but those who enforce them the
justice system, the police. We are to obey them, as Gods representatives, for He has appointed them, over
society.
Paul continues now with the consequences of not submitting to the governing authorities.
v. 2 One who resists the authority is one who is opposed to the government having the say over them;
who refuse to acknowledge the authority of the government. The verb for resist is continuous action, and
reflects an attitude; an attitude of rebellion.
This certainly includes the citizen who is not law-abiding. But it can also be taken to include those who
seek to change the government; they resist the status quo, and seek to improve it.
In Pauls day, Nero had begun his reign, one of the most corrupt tyrants the Roman Empire had ever
known. His administration had followed quickly on the heels of the poisoning of the previous emperor,
Claudius, which had followed the murder of the preceding emperor, Caligula. Between the abrupt
transitions of government and the corruption, the empire was agitated with civil dissensions, and Paul
recognized that Christ Ones must not get swept up in political controversy.
And that remains true today. Christ Ones are simply to submit to their rulers; they are not to try to
overthrow the system, or to become part of the system, trying to change it. These are kingdoms of this
world system; if a believer was to try and fight or to compete on the worlds terms, the believer will always
lose.
The world is more powerful, than mere men. Only God has the wisdom, authority and power to overrule
the world system and its rulers. And as long as one of those rulers is in power, we are to submit to his
authority as unto the Lord; its Gods appointed authority, whom He is using for His good purposes. To
resist that ruler is no less than to take a stand against God Himself.
The Lord did not give us the ministry of revolution. Nor did He give us the ministry of resolution fixing
the problems of society, or even cleaning up the town.
What ministry did the Lord give us? Reconciliation; by which men are delivered from this world system,
into the kingdom of Gods dear Son one soul at a time. Our part is not to resist or to contend, but to win
over souls through our love; even in our submission to the government, out of love for our Lord.
Paul indicates that there are consequences for resisting the governing authority judgment. Paul is not
speaking of Gods judgment here condemnation but of the governments judgment. Simply put, anyone
who disobeys the government will be punished by the government; thats the consequence, for disobeying
the law, or otherwise resisting the government, that God has instituted.

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Paul goes on to explain this.

v. 3-4 What is Paul saying, here? That peaceful, law-abiding citizens have no need to fear the authorities.
There arent too many governments that seek to harm those who obey their laws! Laws are instituted for
the purpose of punishing wrong-doing and deterring crime. Therefore only those who are lawbreakers need
to fear the authorities.
Paul indicates that rulers are actually the ministers of God; that is, His servants, who carry out His will.
They execute Gods purposes, whether they realize it or not. They serve society by helping to protect the
life and property of the citizens, and to secure to them the interests of justice.
But in order to promote and protect the good in society, human government must correspondingly punish
the evil. And on account of that, Paul says, those who do evil should fear; for the authorities do not bear
the sword in vain that is, they will use their authority to execute justice, and inflict punishment on
wrongdoers.
From this, Paul concludes that believers must be subject to the governing authorities.
v. 5 For Christ Ones, it should not only be the fear of punishment that prompts them to submit to the
government; it should be for the sake of conscience. The Holy Spirit enlightens the mind of believers as to
the will of God. Knowing the will of God in this matter, in order to retain a clear conscience which does
not condemn our actions as wrong, Paul says the believer must a matter of high obligation he must be
subject to those who rule society Gods ministers.
Peter also wrote of this obligation, on the part of believers. Turn to First Peter chapter 2. Peter wrote to
Jewish believers who had been dispersed through persecution throughout Asia Minor, who were now part
of mixed assemblies with Gentiles in those places.
[First Peter 2:11-17]
v. 11-12 As sojourners and pilgrims the believers are just passing through this world; they are not part
of it. As such, they are to retain their sanctification.
Peter exhorts the believers, that their conduct among the predominantly Gentile communities be
commendable, and now he continues to describe what that conduct would look like.
v. 13-14 Paul had said to submit to authority for conscience sake; Peter says, for the Lords sake; it is the
same idea. Out of love for the Lord, they are to submit to the governing authorities, whether those who
make the laws, or those who implement them.
v. 15-17 Believers have been made free, in Christ; but they are not to use their liberty as license to sin
which here would include breaking the laws of the land. Instead, as bondslaves of God who serve Him out
of love, believers are to submit to every governing institution of man for that is the will of God.
This will bear witness to those who are predisposed to view with suspicion the non-conformance of Christ
Ones to pagan customs. They will observe the good works of Christ Ones see that they are law-abiding
citizens and conclude that the God whom Christ Ones serve is worthy of praise (v. 12).
[Return to Romans 13]
Paul continues, citing a particular aspect of compliance to the law with which all men are familiar.

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v. 6-7 Ahh taxes. How appropriate that this lesson should come at tax time! We can see taxes were as
much of an issue in Pauls day, as they are, in our own. Paul particularly singles out taxes as a concrete
sign of the authority of the government which must be obeyed.
In the Roman Empire, taxes were generally tribute the payment demanded of a conquered nation by their
foreign rulers making the tax feel even more burdensome.
In Pauls day, the nation was moving toward a welfare state, where more and more people were dependent
upon the government, and fewer and fewer people were gainfully employed does that sound familiar?
Taxes were increasing, to pay for the growing number of people who did not work.
Also, some of the taxes were used to support pagan temples and other religious institutions throughout the
Empire, as well as the ruling class decadent lifestyles and campaigns to conquer more peoples.
Abuse in the collection of taxes was also rampant. Tax collectors were given specified amounts to collect
for Rome, but were free to charge virtually any rate they wanted, and did so, under the protection of Roman
soldiers.
We can see parallels with taxation in our day. Not all taxes are just. And many taxes, that are justly levied,
are not justly spent by the government.
But does Paul make an exception, on the payment of taxes? Paul makes no exception; unlike the tax code,
there are no loopholes. Believers are simply to pay their taxes all of them.
Why should they? Why should believers pay taxes to a corrupt government, which misuses the revenue?
Why should believers support policies with their taxes that they dont agree with? Why should believers
just give their hard-earned wages away?
Paul says that believers should pay their taxes in full because the governing authorities are Gods
ministers. The word ministers in this verse was used in the Greek for public servants; government
officials.
Paul is saying that as government officials, these men were divinely appointed to their office. They attend
continually to serving the public; they devote their time and talents to governing; therefore it is right that
they should receive suitable support. In fact, that support is owed to them, for the services they render.
Believers are not giving their hard-earned wages away. They are using the money that God has supplied to
them to pay for the services that God provides for them, through their public servants who, perhaps
unknowingly, are serving Gods purposes, to protect and care for society.
Jesus Himself spoke about taxes on two occasions. The first one well look at is found in Matthew chapter
22. In this well-known passage, a question designed to trap Jesus by His enemies becomes an occasion for
Him to show that men are to submit to their earthly rulers to the extent that does not conflict with the will
of God.
[Matthew 22:15-22]

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v. 15-17 These enemies of Jesus was trying to trap Him into saying that it would be wrong for a follower
of the true God to pay tribute to a corrupt earthly king. This would indicate that the king possessed him;
but a follower of the true God belongs only to God. If Jesus said it was right to pay taxes to Caesar, that
would offend His Jewish followers; if He said it was wrong, He could be accused of treason.
v. 18-22 The trap is destroyed, by the wisdom of Jesus. The coin has the image of Caesar; it is used to
finance his system of governance; it is to be given to him; in fact, it is owed him. It is a thing of Caesar,
and should therefore be given to him. But Jesus also spoke of the things that are Gods. What things are
His? Upon what is His image, His inscription? Upon man, himself. Man belongs to God, and man should
give God what is rightfully His himself.
Now turn to Matthew chapter 17. A tax collector asks Peter if Jesus pays the temple tax.
[Matthew 17:24-27]
v. 24-26 Jesus is making the point that believers are sons of the kingdom of God, and as sons of the
kingdom, they are free. But now, He qualifies that freedom.
v. 27 For the sake of not offending men; for loves sake; taxes are to be paid. And this was the temple tax
a tax which was never authorized by the Lord, but by the corrupt religious rulers of the Jews. It
subsidized a corrupt temple, with its corrupt practices, that Jesus had demonstrably cleansed, and would
cleanse again. Yet in submission to the Lord, the tax was to be paid.
[Return to Romans 13]
In verse 7, Paul is calling on believers to discharge their obligations; to pay what they owe. We are
indebted to government, because it serves us. It is not for us to decide the quality of that service, but to see
it as coming from the Lord, for our good.
We are to pay all of the taxes that our government requires of us whether income tax, or property tax, or
sales tax thats customs or any other tax. Further, we are to respect the authority of our government,
and even to honor it. It is honorable for hasnt our Lord Himself instituted it? This doesnt mean that we
are to heap praise upon our government; but we are not to bad-mouth it, either. God has provided it for us,
to serve us; and it does just that.
As we take Gods perspective on this, we will provide a powerful witness to the other members of society
that as sons of God, sons of His kingdom, we conduct ourselves in righteousness, in any kingdom for
loves sake.
Reading: Romans 13, Eph 4:17-32, Col 3-4:6.