Thoughts From Romans 13 (part 2)

All right, let’s dive in!

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.

Romans 13:1^a

There has, of course, been a lot of talk about how the Church, or local church, should interact with the government. But here, Paul is talking about individuals. In fact, I don’t think there’s much reason to exclude unbelievers here, although of course Paul is writing to believers in a church. So – this is something that every individual should do.

We already explained last time that Paul seems to be talking about what we might call civil governments.

So why should every individual “be subject” to governing authorities? Two reasons.

…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

1. Every authority has been established by God. That refers to their origin.

Now this is, of course, referring to governments, but it’s really not limited to governments. Every authority has been established by God. Keep that in mind – it will be important later.

Here in our church in Mexico we recently studied Daniel, and of course Daniel has a lot to say about the sovereignty of God in the governments of the world.

[God] changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding…

Daniel 2:21

And of course we can’t forget the profound words of Nebuchadnezzar:

…his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?”

Daniel 4:34-35

That’s how one of the most powerful kings to ever live describes God, whom he calls “the Most High”.

Now take a moment and let this idea sink in. Paul said it very simply – “there is no authority except from God”. But what about an elected official? “There is no authority except from God”. What about a hereditary monarch? “There is no authority except from God”.

What about Hitler?

No, really. Think about it. What about Hitler?

I believe that we can still say – “there is no authority except from God”. But listen, we’re really going to have to give this some serious and careful thought.

But I don’t think we can avoid this basic truth. Think about Pontius Pilate. He was a wicked ruler, and a murderer. And what was his greatest crime? Condemning the pure, innocent Son of God. Did any other ruler do a more wicked act? And yet what did Jesus say to him? “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.” (John 19:11)

The Sanhedrin. Herod. Pilate. Do you remember how the early church prayed?

…for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

Acts 4:27-28

Your hand – Your plan – “there is no authority except from God”.

This doesn’t mean that God is evil. But it does mean that God uses governments to bring about His good purposes. He raised up Pharaoh to show His power to the nations. He raised up Pilate to have a part in the cross, thus bringing salvation to the world. I believe that these rulers would have done far more evil if God had not restrained them.

But back to our main point – we should be subject to governing authorities because they were established by God – because of their origin. And the second reason?

2. The governing authority is God’s servant to approve good and punish evil. That’s its purpose.

We’ll talk more about the purpose of governments later. But it would probably be helpful to look back and see a bit of the history of civil authorities. Where did they come from? How does the Bible establish these truths about governments? We’ll get there next time.