Christians & The Governing Authorities
Pastor Leslie Chua
“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.”
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities…”
Christians invariably refer to the first 7 verses of Romans chapter 13 whenever the topic of how we should relate to the civil governing authorities pops up. This is the standard go-to passage.
In this passage, the apostle, Paul, issued a clear and unequivocal instruction for Christians to be subject to the government – “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1).
He repeated the same later in this short passage. Paul ended by saying to give “respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed,” which in the context refers to the governing authorities (Romans 13:7).
2 Rationales for Submission to Civil Authorities
What are the rationales for such a command?
First, because all civil governing authorities are instituted by God. All rulers and officials are appointed by God without exception. 3 times in the passage, they are referred to as God’s servants or God’s ministers. Given that, anyone who resists the authorities is essentially resisting God Himself.
God appoints a government to govern a nation. The duties of the rulers include maintaining law and order in the society and the proper functioning of the country.
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What are the rationales for such a command?
First, because all civil governing authorities are instituted by God. All rulers and officials are appointed by God without exception.
The second rationale for Christians to be subjected to the governing authorities is for conscience’s sake.
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Rulers wield the sword. To enable them to carry out their tasks, they are given the authority by God to punish the wicked and anyone who transgresses the law.
A good and righteous government that upholds the rule of the law brings peace and safety to its land. It also lays the foundation for the country to develop and thrive. Singapore is a good example of such a country.
Conversely, a self-serving and corrupt government is a bane to their citizens.
The second rationale for Christians to be subjected to the governing authorities is for conscience’s sake. While it is the right and moral thing to do, we ought to be motivated by a higher law. We obey the civil authorities because of our obligation to God Himself.
It might be difficult for some believers to accept the command to be subject to their governing authorities, especially for those who live under a corrupt or tyrannical government. They struggle with the dilemma of obeying God on the one hand and the feeling of deep resentment against the injustice perpetrated by their government on the other hand.
Know that Paul wrote his letter to the Romans at about A.D. 57-58 when Nero was the emperor. Nero was a godless and ruthless man. During his reign, Christians were cruelly persecuted. He was known for his gruesome act of dipping Christians into tar and lighting them to serve as human torches to line his garden. Yet, Paul instructed Christians to be subject to the governing authorities.
Writing in A.D. 62-65 while Nero was still reigning, the apostle, Peter, said the same thing –“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people” (1 Peter 2:13-15).
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Having said that, notice something that is often overlooked. The call to be subject to the governing authorities is made in the context of upholding laws for the public good. That is, to protect citizens and the proper functioning of the society. It has nothing to do with evil laws and harmful policies.
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The Word of God is consistent. Both Paul and Peter agree on how we should relate to the civil governing authorities, and that is to be subject to them.
Having said that, notice something that is often overlooked. The call to be subject to the governing authorities is made in the context of upholding laws for the public good. That is, to protect citizens and the proper functioning of the society. It has nothing to do with evil laws and harmful policies.
Observe what Paul said – “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Romans 13:3-4).
The reference here is to a good governance and justice system to maintain law and order in the society for the benefit of the citizens.
Civil Disobedience
Does it then mean that Christians have to obey the governing authorities at all times? Are there exceptions to the rule?
Yes, there are certainly exceptions to the general command given by Paul and Peter.
When the governing authorities want you to disobey God and violate His law and your conscience, you are free to disobey them. Under such circumstances, you are not only free to disobey but you are obligated to God to disobey them and disregard their demands.
God does not expect you to comply with unjust laws and tyrannical policies that compel you to disregard His clear commands in the Scriptures and that violate your conscience.
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When the governing authorities want you to disobey God and violate His law and your conscience, you are free to disobey them. Under such circumstances, you are not only free to disobey but you are obligated to God to disobey them and disregard their demands.
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Biblical Examples of Civil Disobedience
Here are a few biblical examples.
In Exodus chapter 1, the Egyptian Pharaoh instructed the Hebrew midwives to kill all the male babies upon birth. But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live (Exodus 1:17). When questioned, they lied to Pharaoh about why they let the babies live. God was pleased with the midwives and blessed them with their own families (Exodus 1:20-21).
Here is another example of civil disobedience. In Daniel chapter 3, Daniel’s 3 friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego disobeyed King Nebuchadnezzar’s order to bow to a golden statue of his god.
These young men were respectfully defiant despite the threat of death in a fiery furnace. This is how they defended their non-compliance - “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” Daniel 3:16-18 (ESV). They would not compromise their faith by obeying the king.
The godly prophet, Daniel, was also caught in a situation where he had no choice but to exercise civil disobedience. Instigated by the court officials who were jealous of Daniel, King Darius issued a decree forbidding anyone from praying to his gods for thirty days. Those who were caught would be thrown into the lion’s den.
Daniel stood his ground. He did not comply. He continued to pray 3 times a day as was his habit. That got him into trouble.
The Book of Acts records another case of civil disobedience. Peter and John were arrested for preaching the gospel. When the rulers, elders, and scribes commanded them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus again, Peter and John responded, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard”(Acts 4:19-20).
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Please do not equate civil disobedience with anarchy. In refusing to comply with an evil law or harmful policy, Christians should do so non-violently within the confines of the law of the land. Just like Peter and the apostles, they must be prepared to suffer the consequences.
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Later, Peter and some of the apostles were arrested for preaching Christ. Again, the high priest and religious leaders charged them not to preach and teach in the name of Jesus. But they refused to comply saying, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
There are several other biblical examples of civil obedience but these should suffice to show that Christians are obligated to obey God and disobey the governing authorities when their laws and policies contravene God’s Word and violate our Christian conscience.
In closing, please do not equate civil disobedience with anarchy. In refusing to comply with an evil law or harmful policy, Christians should do so non-violently within the confines of the law of the land. Just like Peter and the apostles, they must be prepared to suffer the consequences.