a simple desire

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 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 he will commend you.” (Romans 13: 1-3)

(This post was written several days after the scripture. It was placed in order of appearance relative to “Sip of Scripture”)

Often, too often, this scripture is read in isolation from other scripture and Christian beliefs. I remember in the early 1980’s when draft resisters had this scripture was “thrown” at them and it was hard to answer for us as young adults. Now, some 20 years later, I think I can speak to it.

When considering this passage, I decided to look to the commentaries; Matthew Henry’s for one. Henry notes that this scripture refers to the government as lawmakers for keeping the peace, establishing punishment for those who rob and kill, and other laws established on the precepts of the Ten Commandments. Therefore, if someone obeys these laws he has nothing to fear from the government. But what should someone do if the government itself breaks its own laws? And I think that is the quandary that is faced not only here in the U.S., but in other countries. How then does a Christian, especially in a country whose government is the prime abuser of the people, deal with this verse?

Firstly this verse says, “The authorities that exist have been established by God.” I would suggest that this “authority” is actually the concept of government, and not the particular government itself. One who rebels against the authority of laws and precedents, and seeks chaos will bring judgment on themselves. And if it is the government that is advocating chaos and a disregard for peace and order, then that government is bringing judgment on itself. The Roman government that would have been in existence in Paul’s time did just that. Rather than orderly government, the Roman senators and officials began to abuse the system for their own purposes and they were brought down.

Secondly these verse are applied to all people, even those in government. Is it possible for those in government to rebel against government, that is rebel against other authorities? Of course. In the instance of the U.S., think of how many times Bush has gone against the U.N. And in the newspapers almost daily we hear about government officials flouting the very laws they were elected to defend, protect and uphold.

Thirdly, as I said above, this verse cannot be read in isolation from other scripture. In the chapter before this one (Chap 12) Paul talks about offering one’s self as living sacrifices. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (vs. 2)Further on, in the verses following this section Paul talks about giving to the government what is due to them. This echoes Jesus saying that one should give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. In his day, Jesus protested the government and pointed out where they were wrong. Scripture is filled with Jesus confronting both political and religious authority, pointing out their errors and refusing to concede their control over him.

Fourthly, in these verses the onus is also on the government that those who obey the laws should NOT have any reason to fear; and I think this is the most damning charge against many governments throughout the world. The citizenry fear the government and cannot look to it for protection. Governments like this have failed their people, and have failed to be the authorities of protection and guidance which is their truest intent and calling.

The Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective speaks very well on this issue. “Such governments and other human institutions as servants of God are called to act justly and provide order. But like all such institutions, nations tend to demand total allegiance. They then become idolatrous and rebellious against the will of God. Even at its best, a government cannot act completely according to the justice of God because no nation, except the church, confesses Christ’s rule as its foundation.” (from Article 23) Governments and authorities are composed of fallible and fallen people. We all make mistakes and err in judgment. The great tragedy is that when those with power and authority use that in a wrong and destructive way, innocents suffer. And God stands with those innocents, offering compassion and comfort. When we stand with God, we stand as true citizens of this world and the kingdom to come.

A scripture on government and society:

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 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 he will commend you. (Romans 13: 1-3)

In these verses, Paul argues that Christian citizens should submit to their governments (and, later, even to pay taxes to them). This is a bit surprising, given the way he was generally treated by the Roman authorities.

No one, I think, would argue that Paul is disagreeing with (say) Jesus who says that no one can serve two masters, or with the speech by Peter in Acts that “we must obey God rather than man.”  In the immediate context of the previous chapter of Romans, Paul commends his readers to “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Rom 12:18) and to remember that God is the one who will eventually take vengeance. The key expression is if possible; oftentimes, it is not possible to live without conflict with the state. But Paul (following Jesus) commands against (violent) rebellion. Why not live in peace if one can?  Admittedly, Paul seems to overstate his case with he says no ruler holds terror for those who do right, but we can put this down to literary hyperbole; after all, it was the rulers who jailed him. It is fruitful to see Paul’s masterful use of his Roman citizenship to protect himself and further his missionary task (see Acts 25 and following) as a nuanced example of this.

Revelation 6 (on which I preached this past Sunday) is still ringing in my ears, which describes how God begins to wreak revenge upon the world systems. Frankly, God’s vengeance isn’t pretty.

The text and commentary of the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective’s Article 23 (The Church’s relation to government and society) describes church-state relations, with shout-outs to other articles where the church and state often disagree, including peace and non-resistance and the taking of oaths.  But in Romans 12-13, I think Paul is simply saying to cooperate with the state when possible, and to never act in vengeful rebellion.