Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
-Romans 13:1-7
How do we read this verse that basically tells us to obey the government in light of all the protests that are happening across the nation?
In every government there are laws created to ensure the safety and the well-being of its citizens. Laws against theft and murder are generally helpful in a society. This passage is telling us that we need to play our role in helping the government serve its citizens because the establishment of government is one of the ways God protects us and helps us.
However, almost all Bible commentators agree that this is not a blank check for the government to do whatever it wants and that even the government is not above God’s laws and desires. The government are made of people who are all sinners. When the government oversteps its bounds and break God’s decrees, the Christian may find it difficult to continue to obey the government.
One Christian commentator give the example of Peter in Acts 4 refusing to obey the Jewish leaders telling him to stop preaching the Gospel. Peter refuses knowing that the will of God in this case supersedes the government.
How do we know when to obey and when to practice civil disobedience? An intimate relationship with Jesus and a healthy knowledge of Scripture is required. Not all obedience are equal. Not all protests are the same. Only when we understand the heart of God are able to rightly make nuanced decisions about our role in government and our society.
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