Submission to Civil Authority
INTRO
OPINION OF SKEPTICS
WHY THIS SECTION ON CIVIL GOVERNMENT?
1) to develop how vengeance comes about, see 12:19 and 13:4.
2) to develop how the peace of 12:18 is to be lived out before society.
3) to strategically help the church avoid unnecessary trials. Cf. 1 Pet. 2:12-15; 4:15-16.
I. RESPONSIBILITY: “submit to the authorities” (v. 1a).
1) “Every person” - this command applies to all in and out of the church.
2) “Submit”- is a command and means to acknowledge as a general rule that these rulers have authority over us. Normally this means and requires our obedience. Submission is a character trait of the church. Christians are to submit to their spiritual leaders (1 Cor. 16:16), to “one another” (Eph. 5:21), Christian slaves are to submit to their masters (Tit. 2:9), prophets are to submit to other prophets (1 Cor. 14:32), and wives are to submit to their husbands (Eph. 5:24).
A biblical exception. We are to obey our government unless they tell us to disobey God. There are biblical examples of this: Acts 4:18-20; 5:28-42; etc.
II. REASONS (v. 1b-5):
But why submit to the evil Roman Empire with its abuses and idolatries? And why are we to submit to our government when it is promoting all kinds of evil too?
Reason #1 – they are appointed by God (v. 1b).
“There is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” God is both the source of all such authority and the source of the current administration or current rulers in power.
Consequence of resisting government: oppose the ordinance of God and come under God’s condemnation (v. 2).
Reason #2 – they are servants of God (vv. 3-4).
1) Rulers are ministers of God (v. 4 twice).
In general, as they are acting in accordance with common grace in which they promote justice and punish what wicked and praise what is good.
The word “minister” is the same word for servant and deacon.
2) Rulers praise the good (v. 3), minister for the good (v. 4).
3) Rulers punish evil.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT - The sword
Reason #3 – for conscience’ sake (v. 5).
Here, Paul has in mind that our conscience is supposed to understand the truth of Rom. 13 and the role government plays in society, that they are appointed by God and serve as His ministers.
CONCLUSION