Romans 13 – Rambling thoughts on Christians and governments

Romans 13:1-2 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

Is this a command all Christians are to follow? Is it true that God establishes our leaders and authorities? Are Christians forbidden to oppose authority?

Many Christians I know take this passage to be an instruction that Christians are to obey, honor, and serve their government. Many Christians use this passage as a basis for “Just War Theory” and for political activism.

As with any passage of the Bible, we need to be sure we are reading Romans 13:1-2 in context. Paul’s argument here is a continuation of what he began in the previous chapter when he wrote: “Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Reading Romans 13 in the light of Romans 12 it seems that the correct understanding of 13:1-2 is that we, as Christians, have less interest in the kingdoms of earth than we have in the Kingdom of Heaven. If our rulers are treating us unfairly, so what? We have a God who will car for us. If we have a government that overtaxes us, so what? It was all God’s to begin with. We are not to be conformed by the customs, powers, and authorities of this age.

Rather than being concerned about the rulers and authorities of this age, we are to be concerned with loving God, loving our neighbor, and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I would argue that none of those things can be done through politics and none of those things can be done through government.

Romans 13:1-2 is not a call to blindly support our government; rather, it is a call to let the powers of this earth do their thing. If they are not contradicting Jesus, let them have their way. We are called to work in the service of the Kingdom of Heaven.

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