Romans 13:1-7: a reflection

1Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. 2Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. 3For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority, 4for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. 5Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing. 7Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Paul instructs believers about their relationship to governing authorities: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. He describes the ruler as God's servant, appointed for good, to restrain evil and reward good, and he tells believers to pay what they owe, taxes, revenue, respect, and honor, to those to whom they are due. Civil authority, Paul teaches, has a God-given place, and we are to honor and be subject to it as part of our faith.

Notice how Paul frames governing authority: as instituted by God, God's servant for good. He does not see civil order as merely a human arrangement, but as something God has ordained for the good of society, to restrain evil and promote order. And so believers are to be subject to it, to pay their taxes honestly, and to give the respect and honor due. Being a good citizen, honoring rightful authority, is, for Paul, part of living out our faith.

That is a needed teaching, held with its proper balance. We are to honor and be subject to governing authorities, paying our taxes, giving respect, being orderly citizens, recognizing that civil order is a good thing God has ordained. This does not mean unlimited obedience, for when authorities command what God forbids, we must obey God rather than men; but the general posture is one of honor and subjection, not contempt or lawlessness. Do not treat rightful authority with contempt or lawlessness. Honor it as instituted by God for good, pay what you owe honestly, give respect where it is due, and be an orderly, honorable citizen, as part of your faithfulness to God, while reserving your ultimate obedience for him.

Lord, Paul taught that governing authorities are instituted by you, God's servants for good, and that we are to be subject to them, paying our taxes and giving respect and honor where due. Help me honor rightful authority as part of my faith. Keep me from treating it with contempt or lawlessness. Help me pay what I owe honestly, give respect where it is due, and be an orderly, honorable citizen, recognizing that civil order is a good thing you have ordained for society. And help me hold this with its proper balance: to honor and be subject to authority, while reserving my ultimate obedience for you, obeying you rather than any authority that would command what you forbid. Make me a faithful, honorable citizen, honoring those you have placed in authority, and above all faithful to you.