Excerpt #10 of “Analysis of Romans 13:1-7 in Light of the Analogy of Scripture”
Given the length of the full paper I recently published on this site, I am posting excerpts which emphasize specific principles within the paper. Hopefully, these excerpts will not only encourage you to read the actual paper, but also think more deeply about the role of Romans 13:1-7 in our response to both Godly and ungodly civil government in our day and time. A proper understanding and obedience to Scripture is critical today as always. This particular Scripture has been mishandled in so many ways that a methodical approach to its exegesis is needed to avoid further error by both individual Christians and the broader church. The pressures being exerted upon true Christianity by the contemporary civil government demand a Biblical response informed by Romans 13:1-7 and the other Scriptures addressed within this paper.
(These excerpts are posted in the order as found in the paper, but do not include the entirety of the paper which combined. Only the PDF contains all sections of the paper.)
The Response of Christians to Civil Government
The response of Christians and the Church after the first advent builds on the Jewish principles elucidated from the Old Testament, deepening them and furnishing further examples of how to obey God in the public expression of Christian life. Again, commands for submissive attitudes, exhortations towards prayer, and God’s reactions to both obedience and disobedience will provide the student of Scripture with great wisdom.
The exhortation towards an attitude of submission to ordained authorities stands out repeatedly in the New Testament. The primary New Testament texts addressing government make this clear. Titus 3:1 and I Peter 2:13-17 both stand beside Romans 13:1-7 as the most explicit statements regarding Christian’s obedience to earthly authorities. Romans 13:1-7 leaves no doubt that such an attitude is commanded by God. In I Peter Christians are commanded to “be subject … to every human institution whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors…” Peter also commands his readers to honor the emperor. Dale R. Bowne and Jon D. Currid, note that despite Peter’s calling civil government a “human institution”, he directs believers to obey their rulers. It has already been established that God delegated the authority to these “human institutions”. Therefore wisdom demands appropriate submission to God’s instituted leaders. Peter explains that by doing so they will silence foolish people (Hoffecker, 183). Titus 3:1 also directs a submissive attitude to rulers and authorities. No denial of this direct command is possible.
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