1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Romans 13:1-7
1. Regarding human governing authorities
a) Rome was the ruling empire
b) Many countries were subjugated
c) Judea was also under the overlordship of Rome
2. Many existing approaches
a) There were those who hated Rome
b) They were those who resorted to violence
c) There were many who refused to pay taxes
d) Judea in the 1st century gave much trouble to Rome
e) This led to the destruction of the temple (AD 70)
i) Jerusalem was burnt to the ground
ii) All Jews lost their homes
A PAULINE THEOLOGY
1. Understanding authority
a) All authority is given by God
b) God’s authority is to be noted even in a secular scenario