ROMANS Study Guide

Chapter Thirteen :

Honoring God Given Authority

It is interesting that in the Greek Text there is not a parenthesis from Romans 12:1 thru 15:13. This indicates that Paul sees all these chapters dealing with what it means to “live out of a renewed mind” in Christ. In chapter thirteen, Paul takes time to deal with God’s people’s submission to those in authority over us. Paul most likely felt the need to deal with this issue for several reasons… The Roman Church was located in the capital of the Roman Empire. The Roman Government was extremely corrupt and debauched in many ways at the time of Paul’s writing and supported many religions including the worship of the emperor. The Christian believer had a higher allegiance to the unseen Kingdom of God and it’s moral and spiritual laws. But what kind of loyalty should a Christian Citizen give to questionable ruling authorities that seemed corrupt and so contrary to Godly values …. how was the church to navigate with their absolute commitment to God and their responsibilities to the existing government they found themselves living under? Christianity was still very much identified with Judais m…and the Jews were not dealing well with the Roman oppression over their nation. There were many “zealots” who were advocating violent resistance to the Roman Government, and this was an influence on the early church. In this chapter Paul deals with the need of human authority and our support of it even under bad governing authorities. At an overall level…sinful fallen man needs authority over his life. A lawless society is a very dangerous place to live. Consequently, God himself raises up secular and spiritual authorities to confront lawlessness and to appreciate lawful living. Even questionable governments can still provide stability and structure for daily life.

Paul felt it was important that he address these questions and conditions for the sake of the Church at Roman.

Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority but of God; the authorities that exist are ordained by God. Rom 13:2 So that the one resisting the authority resists the ordinance of God; and the ones who resist will receive judgment to themselves. Rom 13:3 For the rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the bad. And do you desire to be not afraid of the authority? Do the good, and you shall have praise from it. Rom 13:4 For it is a servant of God to you for good. For if you practice evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword in vain; for it is a servant of God, a revenger for wrath on him who does evil. Rom 13:5 Therefore you must be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. Rom 13:6 For because of this you also pay taxes. For they are God's servants, always giving attention to this very thing.