Romans 13:1–7 provides the single most important New Testament teaching regarding the purpose and function of human government. The Christian’s civil responsibilities as set forth by the apostle Paul have been declared by some historians the most important document in the political history of Western civilization.
ALL MEN ARE CALLED TO OBEY MAGISTERIAL AUTHORITY
The principle of obedience to earthly authorities is set forth as an integral element of our obedience to God. God alone has supreme authority over us. He can bind the conscience absolutely. As our supreme ruler, God has delegated authority to lesser powers and agencies. Our obedience to God must be reflected consistently by our obedience to His delegated authorities.
GOVERNING AUTHORITIES ARE ORDAINED, INSTITUTED, AND REGULATED BY GOD
No man has rightful authority over other men which is not derived from God. All delegated and ministerial authority is derived from God. This includes the authority of parents, bosses, policemen, dogcatchers, teachers, or any other authority.
We must discern the difference in the English language between the concepts of power and authority, a distinction not immediately evident from the biblical text. The Bible speaks of authority by using the Greek word exousia. It is sometimes translated by the word 'power.' Power naturally goes with authority, but authority does not always accompany power. In Romans 13 the call to obedience is to those who have actual authority, not to those who merely possess de facto (actual) power. There is a crucial difference between de facto power and de facto authority. It is authority that is in view here.
RESISTANCE TO DIVINELY APPOINTED AUTHORITY RESULTS IN DIVINE JUDGMENT
The most frequently raised question at this point concerns the issue of the extent of our obedience to earthly authorities. Must we always obey the civil magistrate? Must students always obey their teachers? Employees their employers? Children their parents? The clear biblical answer to this is an emphatic “No.” Whenever the earthly authority commands us to do something that God forbids or forbids us from doing something God commands, it is our duty to disobey the earthly authorities. God’s authority is always higher than His delegated officers. We may not disobey authorities because we disagree with them or because their mandates inconvenience or even oppress us. The biblical principle is to render obedience wherever we can unless it involves conflict with obedience to God.
GOVERNMENT IS INSTITUTED TO PROMOTE JUSTICE
Paul calls the government a minister to us for good. It is not to be a terror to the good but to the evil. This refers to the legitimate design of government and not to its abuses. We know that governments can be institutions of tyranny and oppression. When governments become unjust in their policies and practices it is particularly heinous because their primary purpose for existence is to promote justice and to protect the innocent from the wicked. St. Augustine said, “Without justice, what are kingdoms but great gangs of robbers?”
THE STATE IS ENDOWED BY GOD WITH THE POWER OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Government is force. The most basic ingredient that serves as the foundation for any state is the legal right of coercion. Without the right of law enforcement, the state can only make suggestions. Force is the legal means by which the state assures compliance with its laws. That force is symbolized by what Paul refers to as the “sword.” God gives the power of the sword to the state. It is to be used to ensure justice. In antiquity, the sword was more than a symbol of authority; it was a symbol of the right to life and death. The common method of capital punishment was decapitation by the sword. Paul indicates here the state’s right to inflict punishment even unto death.
OBEDIENCE TO CIVIL AUTHORITIES IS A RELIGIOUS OBLIGATION
Paul calls us to subjection for “conscience’s sake.” That is to say that we are to render obedience to those in authority over us out of a regard and respect for God. It is His authority that stands behind and above the lesser authorities of this world. Our consciences are ultimately bound to Him. By obeying the lesser authorities we pay homage to Him.
