Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Romans 13:1-7
Submission to Governing Authorities
13 Let everyone be subject 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, whoever 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 you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents 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 as a matter 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 to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Yesterday, in our devotional from 1 Peter 2:11-17, we are encouraged to live as “exiles and foreigners” in our society. This is important in today’s reading for us to understand. Throughout the New Testament, the Gospel writers, Paul, Peter, and the rest maintain that the body of Christ, the church, is a distinct people that lives within communities. So, when there are conversations about how to relate to communities and the state, there is tension at play.
The core of the New Testament witness, really the whole Bible, is that Jesus is Lord. You can read into that declaration the Greatest Commandment (Matt 22:37-39) and the First Commandment of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:2-3). That is important context for this passage because it is commonly used by people to conflate Christianity and government. Here are the nuances in the text:
The first idea to hold onto is that the authority of any government is derived, not absolute (13:1). That means that the power of any government is simply loaned to it by God. So, a servant cannot override its master and if it does something that God forbids, then it’s authority to do so must be questioned.
The second key idea is that government or the state has a role which is to maintain civic order and uphold justice. Laws are good and restraining evil is OK in God’s eyes. The trouble, and discernment, comes when there is a government that rewards evil and punishes good. In that case, the government would be failing in its purpose.
Finally, yes, Christians are called to submit to the government, but only when the government seems to be acting as if Jesus is Lord.
In my lifetime, I have learned that this is a perennial calling to discernment about whether the government is representing God’s will. It is also a perennial calling to remember to get discouraged by being discouraged. The government is not God and we should treat it as-such. It is filled with regular people like you and me who are sinners and saints. So, if you are wondering what to do, then the first step is to pray that God would guide our leaders. The second is to be civically minded and involved, letting your actions speak louder than words.
– Pr. Jason
Jesus, thank you for the gift of healthy government that protects the good and punishes evil so that all may thrive. Helpe me to have eyes to see and ears to hear when i need to call my elected officials to account. Amen.
