Romans 13 – Respect for Authority 

Romans 13 – Respect for Authority 
Pastor Steve Anderson | December 18th 2024

Romans 13:1 -7

1 Everyone/every soul must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels/resists/opposes/battles against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants (i.e. they are serving God’s intentions for us), sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

6 Pay/fulfill the obligation of your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

Authority begins with God as Sovereign.

Psalm 22:28 For royal power/kingship belongs to/is the possession of the Lord.  He rules all the nations.

Human Government is Divinely Ordained and Sanctioned / God delegates and assigns His authority.

v. 1 … For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

Principle: If you resist what God has ordained, you are resisting God.

v1 Everyone/every soul must submit to governing authorities…or…“Let every soul place himself habitually in subjection to the higher powers/authorities.” 

Distinction: God didn’t ordain politics…He ordained government, structure, and laws.

Resistance Caveat:

Acts 4:19 “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God” 

Acts 5:29 “We must obey God rather than man!” 

Bottom Line: The believer’s ultimate allegiance is to God.

Government is a Gift from God.
Government is God’s way of providing and maintaining security, order, the common good and directing the affairs of state. (Verse 4)

Government is Needed ….  because Man’s natural bent is anarchy and chaos and injustice.

Judges 21:25  In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

God ordains government leadership, laws, and order for our peace and protection:

Jeremiah 29:7 (NIV)  Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

V 4. A ruler is the agent of God for the punishment of the one who does wrong.  

1 Peter 2:13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to ALL human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. 15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love the family of believers.Fear God, and respect the king. 

There is godly purpose in the paying of taxes.

v6 Pay/fulfill the obligation of your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.

I Timothy 5: 18 For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”

Big Point: It’s about obeying and honoring GOD and HIS way of providing for us…so we support them and pray for their success!

1 Timothy 2: 2 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

The Coming One World Government

Isaiah 9: 6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

NOTES

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