City Life Starter

I. The Word: Romans 13:3-7

³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. ⁴ For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. ⁵ Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. ⁷ Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

II. Study Questions

1. What was the main focus of chapter 13, compared to chapter 12?

2. Why does being disobedient to the civil authority go against God’s authority?

3. Why we must pray for our nation?

In the previous chapter, Paul’s main focus was church order, how one should behave as a Christian.  In chapter 13, Paul goes on to emphasize that same order that is  applied as a Christian in Christ’s church must be applied in regards to secular and governing authority.  Paul’s view is that both are ordained and appointed by God.  The same person must exemplify Christ in the world as they are in the church.  

Paul’s point is “doing what is good” (v. 3)  vs “doing what is evil” (v. 4).  If you do what is good and right, there is nothing you should be worried about but when you are disobedient to governing authority, by breaking the law or disorderly conduct leads to judgement and punishment.  This makes logical sense for modern readers that we must abide by the law of the land and make every effort to exemplify Christ through obedience, whether it is in the church or country we belong to.

In verse 5, Paul draws his conclusion by using the word “therefore.”  Since governing authorities are appointed by God as His servants to judge and punish wrongdoing, Christians are to submit to civil authority.  The “wrath,” according to Morris, “he is referring to the wrath of God manifested in the punishment inflicted by civil authorities… This makes the reference to God specific and brings out the meaning of what Paul is saying.” (Leon Morris, Romans)  Not only must we obey the law of the land for punishment sake, but Paul goes one step further to say that we obey due to our conscience sake (v. 5), which is the most significant according to the apostle.

“Conscience is a powerful reinforcement of the outward directions to submit to the state.  But once conscience is brought in, there is a limit: what is against conscience cannot be done.  The believer may have to refuse obedience on the grounds of conscience… Conscience at one and the same time obliges us to be obedient and sets a limit to that obedience.” Leon Morris.

In verses 6 and 7, Paul uses paying taxes as an example to reinforce the previous verses.  Since governing authorities are God’s servants and their responsibility is to govern, taxes are paid to carry out a responsible government and Christians are to be the first to pay what is due.

As Christians, our duty as a citizen of the land goes beyond the church walls.  Simply put, our actions must exemplify Christ in the world, whether it is our obedience to God playing out or being obedient to the law of the land we belong to.  This does not mean we should agree with every law of the land, especially when it is contrary to God’s Word.  This is the reason why we must pray for our country (where you belong to), and our appointed leaders (whether you agree with them or not).  We pray that God of heaven, who appointed these leaders to govern to be led by God, the ultimate  example of the Righteous King and the Judge.