Romans 13 is one of those passages that is interpreted in a few different ways and done so according to the agenda of the one interpretating it. Many Christians interpret this verse as an exhortation to Christians to have blind all encompassing obedience to the State. Usually those that promote this view are 501 C 3 Pastors. Their congregants will also defend this interpretation of Romans 13. One of the motivations for those with this interpretation is to avoid persecution due to challenging the State for their anti-freedom and anti-christian legislation or social policies.
Left leaning churches also heavily promote this understanding of Romans 13 when it suits their political agenda i.e. globalism and liberal social policies. The recent Covid 19 lockdowns and mandates were a perfect example of this. Also, the pro- LGBTQ agenda by the government is supported by these liberal churches and they will use Romans 13 as a hammer against Christians who dare to stand up against this agenda.
There are also other Christians and churches that say that Romans 13 is addressing obedience to secular government but rather authority in the church..These are Christians that have a libertarian and/or anarchist view of government and try to understand Romans 13 within that worldview.
We are living in times where understanding Romans 13 is vital, because it will determines one's view in how to deal with an ever increasing authoritarian government system. Also, a proper balanced view of this chapter will keep us from embracing ideologies that deny any form of government as being legitimate.
Romans 13:1-2
1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the [powers] that be are ordained of God. 2 Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.
It's very important to understand Romans 13 within the context of the times it was written in. During the period of of the apostolic era there were Messianic groups that promoted revolution and the overthrow of the Roman occupation. These groups rejected Jehoshua as the King of Israel, partly because they were expecting a King that would overthrow Rome and institute a geo-political Kingdom. The peak of the Messianic militia movement was AD 66-70, which resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem and it's temple.
Paul is writing this before AD 66, so his words are especially a cautionary tale for those Israelites within Rome that have delusions of grandeur in revolting against Rome. Paul clearly says that the higher powers are ordained of Jehovah God and to resist them is to resist God Himself. There is no scriptural indication that Paul is talking church authorities here and this idea is simply to anachronistically insert a libertarian/anarchist interpretation into the text.
We have to remember Paul was writing this in the first century not the 21st. At the time, revolutionary Messianic movements were en vogue. Paul himself submitted to Roman authority. Now, this doesn't mean that Paul is preaching absolute obedience to the state and in fact it is far from what he is advocating. Acts 17 gives proof of this:
6 And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7 whom Jason hath received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another King, one Jehoshua.
Clearly, the apostolic church didn't fully submit to Rome as their preaching that Jehoshua was King was contrary to the decrees of Caesar. This is because the Romans were taught that the Roman emperor was a divine Son of God (King) and by the church teaching that Jehoshua was King was a direct affront to that claim by the emperor.
The first two verses of Romans 13 certainly indicate an all encompassing command to obey government, but we shall see as we proceed in this chapter that non questioning obedience is not what is being preached by Paul.
Romans 13:3-4
3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: 4 for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil.
The above two verses bring more balance to this subject as Paul says that government is ordained by Jehovah God to punish those who do evil not good. Government is Jehovah's minister in so far as they are a terror to those who do evil not those who do good. Once a government goes beyond their ordained function to punish evildoers, they are no longer operating in Jehovah's will. If the government persists in punishing those who do good then they are no longer Jehovah's minister. Same can be said if they fail to consistently punish those who do evil.
Governments who are soft on crime and punish those who defend themselves against evil persons/criminals are not Jehovah's servant and Paul's exhortation above does not apply to them.
Paul says that the government does not bear the sword in vain, so the idea that Jehovah is against things like corporal punishment and severe physical force to restrain evil is unbiblical. Today's anti-police sentiment due to police officers defending themselves or striking first when threatened is not in accordance with Jehovah's word and instead is a mindset of a rebellious people.
Romans 13:5-7
5 Wherefore [ye] must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience` sake.6 For this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God`s service, attending continually upon this very thing.7 Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Those that teach that this chapter is about Jehovah God ordaining church authorities and not earthly governments, will not be able to successfully defend that position due to the above. Certainly, we are to give offerings to support the orphans, widows and the work of the Kingdom mission, however nowhere in the new testament is it worded in such a demanding manner as stated above. The concept of giving in the new testament is voluntary as there is no tithe commandment due to the deletion of the Levitical priesthood.
Paul does not make giving to these authorities voluntary but says it's an obligation and the use of the words tribute, custom and dues show that this giving is an earthly government not to the church. The giving to the church is said to be not from constraint but of free will and a cheerful heart. In Acts 5, Peter even tells Ananias that while their money was in their possession it was in their power what to do with it. Paul wants the brethren to be in subjection to the governing authorities not only because they fear the sword, but also so their conscience is clean and they do it because of their love for God and His command in this situation.
Romans 13:8-10
8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.
Paul wants the brethren to be free of the entanglement of debt and in this context it's debt to the government due to not paying the custom, tribute and dues that they are entitled to. Paul then lists four of the 10 commandments, showing that the 10 commandments are part of the new covenant law, with the Sabbath now being everyday in the Messiah. Love is the fulfillment of the law of Jehoshua. This isn't a worldly superficial nice love but rather a self denying cross carrying love.
Romans 13:11-12
11 And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we [first] believed. 12 The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
This statement by Paul in verse 12 is key in understanding the context and meaning of Romans 13. Paul is encouraging the Romans that the day of salvation (second advent of the Messiah) was at hand (near). He is exhorting the Roman believers to wake up out of their slumber lackadaisical mindset and to put on the armor of light, in other words be vigilant like a soldier at war. How does this affect the meaning of Romans 13 in terms of our relationship with the State? Because Paul believed the time was short that he and the brethren had left on this earth so revolting against the government in any way, militarily or through not obeying government laws was of no consequence since he felt the Son of God was coming very soon.
Romans 13:12-14
12The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.13 Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy.14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].
Verse 12 further proves that Paul felt that the day (day star) was at hand (very near), of course referring to the second advent of the Son of God. For Paul, this belief dictated is mindset towards earthly government. There was no purpose for the saints to get involved in earthly affairs since the second advent was near. Certainly, having a anarchist mindset towards government was not in the cards as Paul expected the eternal Kingdom to be shortly on it's way and his exhortation to the Romans is to obey government unless they go against that which is good.
In verses 13 and 14, Paul exhorts the brethren to walk in righteousness (becomingly) and not to walk in the flesh such as drinking parties (revelling), wantonness (unbridled coveting) and other works of the flesh. Paul's message to the Romans here is more about the soon second advent of Jehoshua and not necessarily Christian government theology. His views on a Christian's attitude towards government is as a result of his belief that the eternal Kingdom of heaven was soon to come. Romans 13 was never meant to be a focus on what government ideology we are to have other than to obey them as longs as they don't ask us to violate Jehovah's law. Paul's belief in the second advent was what he was really concerned about and the readiness of the saints for that blessed event. Therefore he has a heavenly attitude towards government and revolt against them would be of no consequence anyways since the day was at hand for the second coming of the Son of God. However, Paul does warn the brethren to not resist them since they are ordained by Jehovah God. This is not an all encompassing call for obedience to government because they are only ordained by Jehovah to punish evildoers.
