Romans Chapter 13 - Be Subject to Government
13 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.
Paul start off this lesson by telling us “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. This means you, this means me, this means every person.
Then he tells us why: For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
- No authority except from God? (it’s not the authority of man, its from God
- And those which exist are established by God (who establishes it? – God)
- Truly, if its from God and established by God, we don’t need to worry; God is in control
2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
- Therefore (because God is the final authority) whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God. Your disagreement is not with men or political party, its with God.
- And they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves (it makes no sense to oppose God; it won’t end well)
- Knowing this, we should pray for God’s will and trust Him to place those in authority in order that His will be done, not ours.
3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil (rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior; if you’re not doing anything wrong, you don’t need to have any fear)
Do you want to have no fear of authority? This is a good question for me, for you, for us.
If you don’t want to be afraid, Do what is good and you will have praise from the same. Praise is the complete opposite of being afraid. Chose your outcome wisely. Let it govern your conduct.
For it is a minister of God to you for good (rulers are ministers of God to you for good).
But if you do what is evil, be afraid (this is a serious warning to me, to you, to us)
God is warning you, if you do what is evil, there will be serious consequences!
For it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil (notice this, a minister can be an avenger who brings wrath).
God will take care of those who are practicing evil (they will not get away with it).
5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Therefore (because of what you just learned) it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience sake:
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