ROAMING THROUGH ROMANS
A verse-by-verse study of Romans
LESSON TWENTY-FOUR – Romans 13:1-7
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, keep this nation under your care. Bless the leaders of our land that we may be people at
peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. Help us elect trustworthy
leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and serve you faithfully in our
generation to the honor of your holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?
Was it a sin for our founding fathers to revolt against the British government (a
government that God established and placed over them) in order to form the United
States?
AIM
What does God say to those who vehemently criticize the government?
Romans 13:1-7
Submission to authorities
1
Everyone must submit himself 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, he who 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 he will commend you. 4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if
you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an
agent 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 because of conscience.
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This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full
time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue,
then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
-- New International Version
2
Romans 13:1-2
1 Let
every person continue to submit himself to the governing authorities. For authority
does not exist except by God, and the authorities now in power are assigned by God. 2
Therefore, the one who continues to resist the authority has taken a stand against God’s
direction, and those who do so will receive judgment to their own disadvantage.
1. According to verse 1, why we should obey all government officials?
Because God put them there.
2. According to verse 2, if someone disobeys the government, who is that person ultimately
disobeying? God.
3. What will be the result of such disobedience? That person will be punished by the courts.
4. What is God’s good and gracious purpose for placing authorities over us? Through
government God provides an ordered structure in society to provide us with peace and order.
5. When Paul wrote this letter, Nero was the Roman emperor. What bearing does that have on
Paul’s words? We are to respect all secular government. Even pagan rulers can carry out
God’s will, for the worst government is better than the anarchy and chaos that occurs where
people live without the order and protection given by God’s gift of government. In fact, an
able unbeliever exercising an office in government may prove to be a greater blessing for the
Christians living in that society than an unqualified believer.
Romans 13:3-5
3 For
the rulers are not a terror to the good work but to the bad. Now do you wish to be
afraid of the authority? Keep on doing good things and the authority will praise you. 4 For
the authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you keep on doing bad things, be
afraid! For the authority does not bear the sword without cause. For the authority is
God’s servant, an avenger for wrath to the one who continues to do bad things. 5 Therefore
it is necessary to continue to be in submission not only because of this wrath but also
because of your conscience.
6. How does our government work good in our lives right now?
 Protection against tyranny through a constitutional government that separates the
legislative, judicial and executive branches and provides checks and balances so that no
one group becomes too powerful
 Freedom of expression
 The right to practice our religion without fear and punishment
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Favorable tax treatment for charitable donations
The right to Christian education
The right to a public jury trial
The right to petition for redress
The right to be secure in our bodies and property
Legal recognition for marriage and parental rights
Old-age pension
Basic medical care
A police forces that serves and protects rather than one that spies on its citizens
Well-equipped national defense force
7. Who alone is to suffer at the hands of government? Those who do bad.
8. Look at verse 4. Since God has commanded us not to murder, can the government execute a
criminal? Yes. Just as God entrusts a bit of His authority to parents as they raise their
children, so God has given a bit of His authority to government as they seek to keep order
and protect their citizens. While God forbids personal vengeance, the government is His tool
to inflict justice on those who hard others. That is why God has entrusted to governments the
power of “the sword” (verse 4). The authority of “the sword” empowers governments to
punish wrongdoers, even to the point of requiring their lives for violating the safety and
security of others.
9. In verse 5, what two reasons are given for always obeying the government?
1) So you don’t get punished
2) Your conscience tells you to because they are God’s representatives; therefore it’s the
right thing to do.
10. Read Acts 5:27-30. What is the only God-pleasing time we can disobey authority?
Acts 5:27-29. 27 Having brought the apostles, they [the temple guards] made them appear before
the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in
this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and determined to make
us guilt of this man’s blood. 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather
than men!”
The only time we can disobey authority is when they order us to do something contrary to
God’s Word.
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11. Give examples that prove the expression, “Just because it’s legal doesn’t make it right.”
 Abortion
 Un-Scriptural divorce
 Frivolous lawsuits
 Gambling
 Homosexual “marriage”
 Sexual promiscuity
 Pornography
12. How might a Christian register his/her views on abortion without violating Scriptural
principles concerning respect for government.
 Personally witnessing to expectant mothers
 Writing letters to editors of newspapers and magazines, and to legislators
 Legal picketing
 Political action, including voting for pro-life candidates
 Calling for a constitutional amendment protecting all human life at conception
Romans 13:6-7
this reason also keep on paying taxes, for they are God’s public servants who are
constantly attending to this very thing [public service]. 7 Give to everyone their dues:
income tax to whom income tax [is due], sales tax to whom sales tax [is due], respect to
whom respect [is due], honor to whom honor [is due].
6 For
13. In verse 6, why does Paul say paying taxes is a blessing? So that government officials can
devote all their time serving and benefiting society.
14. In verse 7, the examples of obedience given can be grouped into two categories. What are
they? Outward and inward obedience.
15. Agree or Disagree? I have a right to grumble if my taxes are too high.
If the taxes are too high because of proven governmental mishandling of funds, then don’t
grumble—do something about it! If you just don’t want to pay more taxes, and the taxes are
going up at the standard rate of inflation, then you’re just being greedy.
16. Agree or Disagree? It is always wrong to laugh at the late night comedians’ jokes about the
President. It depends on the attitude presented by the one joking. If the joke is Chevy Chase
falling because President Ford just slipped down the stairs, that’s one thing. We can laugh it
off. But if Chevy Chase repeatedly portrays President Ford as a bumbling idiot, that is
entirely another matter, one which we can’t laugh off.
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17. Discuss the following quote: “The key to a Christian view of citizenship is moderation and a
balance between the extreme of placing too much trust and energy into human efforts to
improve the world and the opposite error of sitting back and doing nothing because we feel
that the situation is hopeless.” (John Brug, “The Lutheran Doctrine of the Two Kingdoms.” Our Great
Heritage, Vol. 2, p.386)
Because of sinful human nature, the human will not usually find perfect solutions to
every problem, and even good programs will be abused by some who seek selfish
advantage. Nevertheless, Christians participate as “light” and “salt” to influence
government policy to reflect God-pleasing solutions to society’s problems.
18. How important are your Christian values when you decide on a presidential candidate for
which to vote?
Answers will vary, but Christians can hardly ignore the candidates’ position on moral issues
such as abortion, gays, marriage, and the family.
19. Why doesn’t our church take public stands on important social issues?
The church has been entrusted with just one mission in this world: to proclaim the gospel so
that souls might be brought to faith and strengthened in faith. The improvement of society
through a more just and honest social order is the task of government. God has not entrusted
to His church the task of promoting a better social policy.
Yet individual Christians have two citizenships. Our most blessed “citizenship is in heaven”
(Philippians 3:20), which Jesus has freely given to us by His life, death and resurrection. But
God has also blessed each of us with a role as a citizen of an earthly nation. Individual
Christians or groups of Christians have a deep concern if our society and our government are
guilty of injustice towards anyone. Christians have the privilege and obligation to work
toward equal justice and social improvement. The church will work to encourage Christians
to be the best citizens any country could have. As Christian citizens reflect the mercy of their
merciful Father in heaven, they will look for ways to reflect His compassion and justice.
Those efforts will also create opportunities to witness to what is most important, the kingdom
of heaven.
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IS THIS HOW YOU RESPONDED?
Q: Was it a sin for our founding fathers to revolt against the British government (a
government that God established and placed over them) in order to form the United
States?
A: Your question is a fair one, but one that is not easily answered to the satisfaction of all
believers (much less citizens in general). The Bible basically speaks of existing governments
or rulers as legitimate ones whom God has allowed to be in power. Romans 13:1-7, Daniel
2:21, 37 and Daniel 4:17,25,32 speak this way. In his providence, when God allows a ruler or
government to be in the position of authority, the normal (and safe) assumption among the
citizens is to recognize this as legitimate government. All this would argue that the British
government at the time of the American Revolution was a legitimate one and that rebellion
was not biblically permitted for the colonists.
Nevertheless, the question that has been (and will probably continue to be) debated is
whether the British government under King George III held legitimate rule over the
American colonies. The major grievance of the colonists was that of "taxation without
representation" which they took to be an illegitimate stealing from the colonists and an
immoral abuse of authority. Is that enough to label a government as "illegitimate"? The Bible
will not directly say so, but allows that wicked people may rule, may be a test and burden
upon godly people, and even in their wickedness remain legitimate rulers. The point is also
often made that the colonies already had their own legitimate government -- elected leaders
in place as their representatives. So it was a matter of two "legitimate" governments clashing.
The opinions on the American Revolution are many and varied.
Most who debate these issues admit the truth of the old saying: "One man's terrorist is
another man's patriot." They then leave the ultimate conclusion to the individual
citizen. Generally speaking, Christians are among the most hesitant to label any government
as illegitimate and to advocate rebellion or anarchy. But, ironically, when a new government
assumes power to replace the former one, Christians would be the first to recognize it as
legitimate and will strive under God to be good citizens. Christians look first and foremost to
pleasing their Lord and acknowledging his rule over everyone and everything. Only
secondarily do they presume to determine who are legitimate or illegitimate rulers. And they
will seek contentment under the rule of whomever the Lord allows to be in office. (And in
countries like the US, as citizens, they will lawfully seek changes in officials and laws that
they believe will best serve them and their neighbor.)
WELS Q & A: Government/Society/American Revolution
www.wels.net Posted 10/22/08
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WHAT I’VE LEARNED
To those who vehemently criticize the government, God says they are not only sinning
against their leaders but also against God, who put those leaders in power for the people’s
welfare. Therefore, a Christian will always honor and obey the governmental authorities.
CLOSING PRAYER
God bless our native land!
Firm may she ever stand
Through storm and night!
When the wild tempests rave,
Ruler of wind and wave,
Do Thou our country save
By Thy great might.
For her our prayers shall rise
To God above the skies;
On Him we wait.
Thou who art every nigh,
Guarding with watchful eye,
To Thee aloud we cry,
God save the State! Amen. (CW 619)