Romans 13:1-7
Read Romans 13:1-7
Helpful Background Information:
In Mark 12:13-17, Jesus is tested by the Pharisees and the Herodians on whether the Jews should pay taxes to Caesar and the Romans. The “trap” these two groups were laying for him was this: If Jesus said it wasn’t lawful to pay taxes, then the Roman authorities would view him as a rebel and bring their authority down on him. If Jesus said it was lawful, then the Jewish crowds, who were incredibly bitter against Roman rule over Israel, would turn on him.
For our purposes today, Jesus’ answer to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s makes a specific point. Christians must acknowledge the legitimacy of human government.
Our passage, Romans 13:1-7, makes this clear. Paul is clear that human government is established by God for the purposes of keeping order and restraining evil. Their purpose is to punish those who do evil and protect those who do good. On this basis, Christians do have duties to human governments, such as paying taxes, so that human governments can fulfill the duties given to them by God. Christians should be viewed as good citizens: honoring those in authority and working to make their nations flourish.
Both Jesus and Paul agree that civil government and God's rule are not independent of each other. Believers are to honor their human rulers precisely because God has established them. Civil obedience is obedience to God. However, the civil government does not have free rein to govern in any way it wishes, as seen in Romans 13. If a Christian’s duty to the state would cause him/her to disobey God, then there is a time for the Christian, out of faithfulness to God, to respectfully disobey human government and “obey God rather than men.” (see Acts 5:20-32).
Reflection Questions:
What are practical ways Christians today can honor governing authorities while ultimately submitting to God?
How can believers discern the difference between faithful civil obedience and moments when obedience to God requires respectful disobedience?
How can you pray for your leaders this week, even if you disagree with them?