Reasons to submit to those in authority
Commentary on Romans 94
Reasons to submit to those in power
Romans 13:1 - 7)
Introduction: The Bible makes it clear that we do not belong to the world about our Christian identity. The Lord said, “You are no part of the world, just as I am not of the world.” Our citizenship is in heaven. However, it refers to our spiritual status, not our physical life. We are certainly not of this world, yet we live in this world. Even after we are in Christ, we are still members of this society. We cannot under any circumstances be outsiders of social life or social laws. This is where the relationship between Christians and nations or authorities is established.
1. Give in to the superior authorities
At the beginning of chapter 13, Paul commands, “Let every one be subject to the superior authorities.” The power used here refers to the power of the state.
(1) It is said that all authority does not come from God. The state and the church are separate things, but it is one God who established them all. “The kingdom is the Lord’s,” he said, “and the Lord is sovereign over the nations” (Deuteronomy 22:28). The expression of all authority does not make a distinction between good and evil. Whether it is the authority to exercise good judgment or the authority to exercise tyranny, all the authority established on this earth does not come from God. You can see that the existence of nations such as Egypt, Babylon, Greece, and Rome was also accomplished by God. And you can see that the rulers of that country are being established only by God. Daniel said to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, “He knows that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he pleases” (Daniel 4:25).
(2) This is the reason why you must submit to the authorities. It is a sin to disobey what God has ordained. Pilate, who judged Jesus, was clearly an evil ruler. Of course, the people who delivered Jesus to Pilate are also wicked people. But Jesus was crucified according to their judgment. Because their authority was from above (John 9:11). Verse 2 says, “Therefore, if you go against authority, you are against the command of God.”
(3) The authority of the authorities, which Paul is referring to here, refers mainly to the moral level of law. As the saying goes, “Governors are not afraid of good things, but they become of evil.” From this point of view, no matter how vicious an authority may be, good laws are being enforced for the stability and peace of social life. If anyone tries to destroy this, the social order will collapse and the stable life of all mankind will be impossible.
2. Give in because of your conscience
When it comes to subjecting Christians to the powers of the world, it says, “not out of anger alone, but out of a conscience too.” This expression has several meanings:
(1) Christians have a good conscience. “Have a good conscience” and the meaning of baptism is “a good conscience seeking God” (1 Peter 3:16,21). The Christian's conscience acknowledges and obeys the fact that God has given such rulership to the powers of the world. No matter how dictatorial a country is, it has moral standards based on human conscience.
(3) He also ordered the due payment of offensives and national taxes. It says, “Give all you have to give, but pay tribute to those who are subject to levy, pay tribute to those who will receive taxes, fear those to be feared, and honor those whom you will respect.” As long as we live in this society, these words belong to our duty as members of society. State power cannot be maintained without an offensive or national tax. When you say to give to everyone, you are telling them to fulfill their obligations with respect to public utilities, whether they are state institutions, local governments, or ordinary citizens. These things are Caesar's, so he was told to give them to Caesar.
Conclusion: The existence of all nations in this world is only in God's hands (Jeremiah 18:5-10). This society, provided by God, will continue until the Day of the Last Judgment. The purpose of the existence of this world is so that God's people may receive God's salvation. When the salvation of all God's people recorded in God's book of life is completed, then the end of mankind will come. The reason God is pleased with peace, order, and peace in this human society is for the peaceful life of Christians living in it (1 Timothy 2:2).