Why Christians Should Submit
to Civil Authorities
Romans 13:1-5
____________________________________________________________________________
Preached on a Sunday Service (Feb. 18, 2001)
by Bro. Jurem Ramos
at the Soli Deo Gloria Church, Juna Subd., Matina, Davao City
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Ro 13:1 tells us, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities." The phrase "governing authorities" does not just mean the supreme authority, such as the president or king of a country, but it refers to all governing authorities-to all who are invested with power and authority and who are over other men in an official capacity. The command is a plain and simple blanket statement. He just gave the command in a straightforward manner. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities. (Emphasize that this is a command for all people, but more specifically to believers who have received the grace of God. The book of Romans is for believers.)
No qualification whatsoever was given.
1. It doesn't matter what form of government it may be: monarchy, aristocracy, parliamentary, democracy, communist, dictatorship, etc. in all their various modifications, whether you consider them good or bad, whatever form.
2. It doesn't matter how the authority got into that position.
Hodge
Those who are in authority are to be obeyed... no matter how or by whom appointed. It was to Paul a matter of little importance whether the Roman emperor was appointed by the senate, the army, or the people; whether the assumption of the imperial authority by Caesar was just or unjust, or whether his successors had a legitimate claim to the throne or not. It was his object to lay down the simple principle, that authorities are to be obeyed.
3. It doesn't matter who that authority was.
Hodge
Obedience is not commanded on the basis of the personal merit of those in authority, but on the basis of their official position. It was especially necessary, during the apostolic age, to inculcate this duty to submit to governing civil authorities. This necessity arose in part from the fact that a large portion of the converts to Christianity had been Jews, and were peculiarly indisposed to submit to the heathen authorities. This indisposition arose from the prevailing impression among them, that this subjection was unlawful, or at least highly derogatory to their character as the people of God, who had so long lived under a theocracy. In Deuteronomy 17:15 it is said, "be sure to appoint over you the king the LORD your God chooses. He must be from among your own brothers. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not a brother Israelite."
A question, therefore, that they constantly raised was this: "Is it lawful to pay tribute unto Caesar, or not?" A question which the great majority were at least secretly inclined to answer in the negative.
Another source of the restlessness of the Jews under a foreign yoke, was the idea which they entertained of the nature of the Messiah's kingdom. As they expected a temporal Prince, whose kingdom should be of this world, they were ready to rise in rebellion at the call of every one who cried, "I am Christ." The history of the Jews at this period shows how great was the effect produced by these and similar causes on their feelings towards the Roman government. They were continually breaking out into tumults, which led to their expulsion from Rome, AD 68 and, finally, to the utter destruction of Jerusalem. It is therefore not a matter of surprise, that converts from among such a people should need the injunction, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities."
Besides those Jewish opinions and feelings, there is something in the character of Christianity itself, that led to the repugnance of many of the early Christians to submit to their civil rulers: the doctrine of Christian liberty
There is no limitation to the injunction in this verse, so far as the objects of obedience are concerned, although there is as to the extent of the obedience itself. That is, we are to obey all that is in actual authority over us, whether their authority be legitimate or usurped, whether they are just or unjust. The actual reigning emperor was to be obeyed by the Roman Christians, whatever they might think as to his title to the sceptre. But if he transcended his authority, and required them to worship idols, they were to obey God rather than man. This is the limitation to all human authority. Whenever obedience to man is inconsistent with obedience to God, then disobedience becomes a duty.
Why are we to submit to civil authorities?
Last time we have learned several reasons why, (1) first, to silence our critics and (2) secondly, is the evangelistic reason: to bring them to the Lord. Now let us look at other reasons.
1. Reason one: the government and the authorities are established by God.
1b, " for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."
Hodge
This is a very comprehensive statement. All authority is of God. No man has any rightful power over other men, which is not derived from God. All human power is delegated and ministerial. This is true of parents, of authorities, and of church officers. But this verse is not just telling us that all government is derived from God, but that every authority is of God. The word authorities is a concrete term, meaning those invested with power.
We are to obey authorities, because they derive their authority from God. Not only is human government a divine institution, but the form in which that government exists, and the persons by whom its functions are exercised, are determined by His providence. All authorities of whatever level are to be regarded as acting by divine appointment. Because it is God's will that there should be governing authorities, every person, clothed with authority, is to be regarded as having a claim to obedience, founded on the will of God.
Example:
John 19:10-11
Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.
2. Reason two: rebelling against the authority is rebelling against God
v.2, "Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted"
Hodge
This is an obvious inference from the doctrine of the preceding verse. If it is the will of God that there should be civil government and persons appointed to exercise authority over others, it is plain that to resist such persons in the exercise of their lawful authority is an act of disobedience to God.
3. Reason three: God will punish the disobedient
End of v.2, "and those who do so [i.e. rebel against authority] will bring judgment on themselves."
The word judgment here does not refer to the punishment that civil authorities may inflict. If rebelling against authority is rebelling against God, then that sin will be punished by God.
The word "judgment" here refers to the punishment of God. (The phrase "bring judgment on themselves" is similar to the statement of Paul in 1Co 11:29-For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.)
4. Reason four: government is designed to restrain evil.
v.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.
MacArthur
The word "terror: in the original comes from the same root that gives us the English term phobia. The civil authorities should produce that kind of fear in the lives of those who perpetrate evil. Proper government will not be a terror to those citizens who perform good works, that category of deeds which is inherently good. Rather it will be a source of profound terror for those disobedient, lawbreaking citizens who engage in that category of deeds which is inherently evil. Throughout history, even the most wicked of governments have been a deterrent to major crimes such as murder, rape, and theft. Although it hardly justifies totalitarian systems, the reality is that those regimens often experience lower crime rates than do democratic nations. In strict Islamic countries, certain and sever punishment has drastically reduced the rate of violent crimes.
The point is that even ungodly and worldly rulers have a basic awareness of morality. That's because of what happened to Adam and Eve at the beginning of history. When they ate of the forbidden tree, they acquired a knowledge of good and evil that ever since has been passed on to all their descendants. Therefore every man and woman who is born has an innate knowledge of right and wrong. That knowledge is the basis of human conscience for both the saved and the unsaved. (Ro 2:14,15-(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)
Therefore, because of God's natural revelation (conscience and reason) and His universal common grace, even unconverted government leaders intuitively know good from evil and thus realize that part of their governing responsibility is to punish evil behavior. They understand that basic morality is crucial to a viable social order and that a culture can't flourish with a rampant and unpunished presence of violence, corruption, murder, and sexual immorality.
Even the poorest form of government is better than no government at all. It's frightening to imagine what would occur in any society in which no one was in charge-anarchy is disastrous. If citizens had only themselves to protect their lives and property, strife would result almost immediately and soon any order would collapse. To prevent such a bleak scenario, God established human government to restrain evildoers and lawbreakers.
5. Reason five: government is designed to promote the public good.
v.4, "For he is God's servant to do you good."
Its just like the traffic policeman. Sometimes I hear drivers complain, "magulo na naman dito kasi may police. Well let them try without any police or traffic aide. People grumble, hindi kasi marunong magbigay. Try to give way all the time, and the motorists behind you will get angry. Up to how many cars would you allow to go first? Thank God, the individual doesn't have to make that decision. The government makes it for him.
MacArthur
Historically, governments have treated good citizens-those who have been peaceful and supportive of their governments-favorably and fairly. If you are that kind of citizen, you generally will have no reason to be afraid of the authorities. They will oftentimes even be happy to praise you for doing what is right and being a positive influence in the community.
It's entirely appropriate for believers to look to the government at certain times for protection and support. The apostle Paul did that when he used his Roman citizenship to appeal to Caesar for justice (Acts 25:11). Paul also relied on the law's protection during his third missionary journey. In Ephesus, Demetrius the silversmith incited a mob against him, and the town clerk took Paul into protective custody to rescue him from the riotous crowd. The clerk took seriously his responsibility as an advocate of what is good and right when he told the unruly throng, "Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly" (Acts 19:38-39).
By looking out for you and protecting your legitimate rights and interests, any government official is God's or servant on your behalf. Such rulers, whether presidents or prime ministers, senators or members of parliament, high court justices, county commissioners or supervisors, or members of a city council, are due honor and respect as servants of God. Regardless of their personal beliefs about our relationship to God, they represent Him and are doing His work (whether they realize it or not) by promoting peace, justice, and safety among their subjects.
6. Reason six: government is ordained by God to punish lawbreakers.
v.4b,"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."
MacArthur
The sword is a weapon used to maim and kill. Therefore Paul mentions it as a symbol of government's right to punish crimes. That right includes the prerogative to impose the death penalty for those serious crimes that warrant the ultimate punishment. God instituted the death penalty early in humanity's existence. "Whosoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man" (Gen. 9:6). The lives of men and women are sacred because they were created in God's image. If someone commits murder, that person should have to give up his own life. And officials should administer capital punishment expeditiously, without pity or partiality (see Dt 13:6-10; 19:13, 20-21; 25:2-3).
When Paul appeared before Festus and appealed his case to Caesar, he recognized the legitimacy of capital punishment and said he was willing to accept it if found guilty of capital offense. "If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die" (Ac 25:11).
Whenever a nation rejects capital punishment even for heinous offenses such as murder, God places it under blood guiltiness. Part of the Law that God gave Moses, the Lord stated, "Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it" (Num. 35:33).
7. Reason seven, final reason: submission to government is part of obedience to God.
v.5 "Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience."
Submit to government not just because you fear the wrath that's going to come if you disobey but also because of conscience, which means, because it is a religious duty, and part of our obedience to God. Because of conscience, means it is the right thing to do out of regard to God.
It is similar to the reason Paul gives when he gives instructions to believers for their social duties. See Eph 6:1,5-8.
· Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right...
· Eph 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
So, why are we to submit to government? Because...
· It is established by God,
· Resisting is resisting God.
· Resisters will be punished.
· Government is designed to restrain evil and promote good.
· Government is ordained to punish lawbreakers.
· And do it for conscience's sake.
