Romans 13:1-4
(1) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.(2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.(3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:(4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Verse by Verse
(1) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
DLG note... "Every soul" means EVERY PERSON, no exceptions. Not only are the subjects of a nation subject to the laws of the land, the leaders of the nation are subject to the higher power as well (including kings, premiers, presidents). "Higher power" begins with the power of God, which is the fountain head of all authority and rules over the power (authority) of human rulers. God has commissioned human authority (government).
Remember, Jesus declared that He had the authority of God to forgive sins and to perform miracles. He also said clearly that He had all authority in heaven and earth. All human authority is derived from the eternal, heavenly authority of God. Therefore, everyone, rulers included, must submit to the higher powers.
(2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
DLG note... Again we are told that EVERYONE is subject to authority, because, all legitimate authority is Divine authority. God ordains authority (government), but He does not ordain illegitimate, godless laws. Those in authority are servants of God, appointed to do the work of God. When a ruler abuses his authority by installing and enforcing a law that is contrary to the will and nature of God, that ruler has resisted the authority of God and will be judged by God. Though God sometimes employs wicked men to accomplish His purpose (to either afflict the wicked or assist the righteous) it does not mean that wicked men or laws are the legitimate, God ordained governments.
When a human "government" is established on anti-Christian principles, such as an Islamic nation (which makes Christianity illegal), that so-called government is not legal before God. When a human ruler or leader adds anti-Christian laws to a legitimate constitution, such as abortion or the burning of the Bible, that ruler or leader has made himself the enemy of God. God requires submission to legitimate laws and civil order, He does not allow submission to the rule of anarchy. Christians citizens may suffer under rogue rulers, but they should never follow rogue rulers.
While Christians are REQUIRED to obey legitimate authority, just laws, even when the ruler himself is immoral, Christians are not ALLOWED to obey, submit to or support laws that are contrary to the will and nature of God. In cases like this, it is better to obey God, rather than men (Ac. 5:29).
(3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
DLG note... The fact that a ruler is not a terror to "good works," or to those who do good works, indicates that either the ruler or the laws he enforces are approved by God. Legitimate authority praises, protects, serves the person who does the will of God. God does not appoint or approve wicked rulers or rules, though He may use them as tools to judge the wicked, as in the Old Testament when God used the heathen to judge rebellious Israel.
(4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
DLG note... The ruler and the rules of Divinely ordained governments are ministers of God to do His bidding. Legitimate, God ordained government forbids and punishes wickedness, either through the police or through the military. The police and military are State responsibilities, ordained of God to protect the law abiding and punish the evil. The police and the military are legitimate only when they protect the righteous and punish the wicked.
Evil people fear legitimate government. When the wicked control the "government" such as American politicians allowing organized crime, oppressive organizations and Islamic leaders, to control them, then the "government" is in anarchy against God. The abuse of authority is anarchy. Obedience to godless rule is anarchy. We cannot blame another person for our own actions. We are required to obey legitimate authority, we are not allowed to obey godless leadership.
God has given the power of the "sword" to the State, not to the Church. The "sword" represents the power to punish the wicked and protect the righteous. It is not complicated. The weapons of the Church are not carnal, fleshly, material, temporal, but our weapons are spiritual (2 Co. 10:3-4). The weapon of the State is the sword of steel, while the weapon of the Church is the sword of the Spirit (Ep. 6:17). A God approved government is one that physically and legally protects people who are doing good and punishes those who propagate evil (1 Pe. 2:13-15). Since this is God's decree then the standard of good and evil is determined by Divine revelation, not by human fiat or demonic intent.
To stand against duly authorized government is to stand against God. To stand with those who are rebellious to God, though they are "government" officials, is to stand against God.
Pastor David L. Gould
