Daily Bread 2011 - Romans 13
Submission to the Authorities
1 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.6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
What Does This Mean?
As Paul continues to give practical application of the doctrine he has taught the church in chapters 1-11, he comes to the all-important idea of how Christian believers relate to the governing authorities. Paul advocates strongly that the authority given to the rulers of the land is authority given to them by God. As we disobey governing authorities, we are disobeying God and shouldn’t be surprised when there is punishment. This goes even to the realm of paying taxes.
God has given us these governing authorities to create stability in our society. As they execute authority wisely there is peace in the land. If they abuse their authority the opposite happens and they will be accountable for that as well. There are though those rare cases where the authorities will ask us to do something that is contrary to God’s word and commands. In this case as God instructed the church in Acts, “It is better to obey God than man!” (Acts 5:29)
What Does This Mean For Us?
A great example of this were the Christians (some of them Lutheran i.e. Dietrich Bonhoeffer) who resisted the Nazi regime before World War 2, and helped overthrow this corrupt form of government that was not of God.
But usually in most cases government acts to help protects and keep an orderly society. Luther called this the doctrine of “two kingdoms”, the secular and the spiritual kingdoms. Whereas the church has authority in the spiritual kingdom to pronounce the forgiveness of sins (ie. “I have given you the keys to the kingdom”). The government has authority and power in the secular kingdom (the one we live in every day!). We would be wise to keep these two straight and submit to both, out of submission to God!
God we thank you for the governing authorities you have given us to protect and preserve our freedoms to, among other things, worship you. Help us to rightly distinguish and discern between these two kingdoms you have authorized to act on your behalf. Amen.
1 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.6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
What Does This Mean?
As Paul continues to give practical application of the doctrine he has taught the church in chapters 1-11, he comes to the all-important idea of how Christian believers relate to the governing authorities. Paul advocates strongly that the authority given to the rulers of the land is authority given to them by God. As we disobey governing authorities, we are disobeying God and shouldn’t be surprised when there is punishment. This goes even to the realm of paying taxes.
God has given us these governing authorities to create stability in our society. As they execute authority wisely there is peace in the land. If they abuse their authority the opposite happens and they will be accountable for that as well. There are though those rare cases where the authorities will ask us to do something that is contrary to God’s word and commands. In this case as God instructed the church in Acts, “It is better to obey God than man!” (Acts 5:29)
What Does This Mean For Us?
A great example of this were the Christians (some of them Lutheran i.e. Dietrich Bonhoeffer) who resisted the Nazi regime before World War 2, and helped overthrow this corrupt form of government that was not of God.
But usually in most cases government acts to help protects and keep an orderly society. Luther called this the doctrine of “two kingdoms”, the secular and the spiritual kingdoms. Whereas the church has authority in the spiritual kingdom to pronounce the forgiveness of sins (ie. “I have given you the keys to the kingdom”). The government has authority and power in the secular kingdom (the one we live in every day!). We would be wise to keep these two straight and submit to both, out of submission to God!
God we thank you for the governing authorities you have given us to protect and preserve our freedoms to, among other things, worship you. Help us to rightly distinguish and discern between these two kingdoms you have authorized to act on your behalf. Amen.
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