How to interpret Romans 13:1-6?

[Newman10]

" 1Everyone 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. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For 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. 4For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

Does this apply to government? Are we required to always obey everything the government says (unless of course, it goes against our beliefs)?

 

[DavidFilmer]

Does this apply to government?

Only if the government is a theocracy (rule by the Church). The government of ancient Israel was a theocracy (in fact, the term “theocracy” was invented by Josephus to describe the government of Israel). From a civil perspective, this is what Paul was referring to.

Of course, Church leaders are “governing authorities” even if they don’t have power over the State as well. We are subject to these authorities which have been “established by God.”

It is clear that Paul does not refer to civil authority of non-divine origin. He did not live his life as a “good little Roman citizen” - instead he defied the government of Rome and was pursued, imprisoned, tortured, and eventually executed by secular government authority.

 

[tobinatorstark]

From the Haydock Bible Commentary
Ver. 1. Let every soul, or every one, be subject, &c.[1] The Jews were apt to think themselves not subject to temporal princes, as to taxes, &c. and lest Christians should misconstrue their Christian liberty, he here teacheth them that every one (even priests and bishops, says St. Chrysostom) must be subject and obedient to princes, even to heathens, as they were at that time, as to laws that regard the policy of the civil government, honouring them, obeying them, and their laws, as it is the will of God, because the power they act by is from God. So that to resist them, is to resist God. And every Christian must obey them even for conscience-sake. St. Chrysostom takes notice that St. Paul does not say that there is no prince but from God, but only that there is no power but from God, meaning no lawful power, and speaking of true and just laws. See hom. xxiii. (Witham)

 

[Newman10]

So it seems like you guys have contradicting answers. Correct me if I am wrong.

Anybody else have more (name removed by moderator)ut?

 

[Teflon93]

I like to consult the Early Church Fathers, myself.

Diodore:

The book of Proverbs teaches us that kings do not come to rule apart from the dispensation and will of God: “Through me kings reign and princes decree justice.” (Pauline Commentary from the Greek Church)

Pelagius:

This is an argument against those who thought they were obliged to use their Christian freedom in such a way that they gave honor or paid taxes to nobody. (Pelagius’ Commentary on Romans)

Theodoret of Cyr:

Even priests, bishops, and monks must obey the commands of secular rulers. Of course, they must do so insofar as obedience is consistent with godliness. (Interpretation of the Letter to the Romans)

Chrysostom:

In saying this, Paul was more likely tio draw civil governors who were unbelievers to accept the Christian faith and to persuade believers to obey them. For it was commonly rumored in those days that the apostles were guilty of plotting sedition and revolution, aiming in all that they did and said at the subversion of the received institutions. However, when we see that Christ’s command is that we should obey the authorities, all rumors of this kind will be shown to be false. (Homilies on Romans 23)

Basil:

It is right to submit to authority whenever a command of God is not violated thereby. (The Morals 79.1)

Ambrosiaster:

Rulers here are kings who are created in order to correct behavior and prevent bad things from happening. They have the image of God, because everyone else is under one head. (Commentary on Paul’s Epistles)

Origen:

Paul tells the church nto to do anything against the princes and powers of this world so that it may live in peace and quiet. For if the church rebels…then it will be punished, not because of its faith but because of its crimes, and instead of dying for a worthy cause people will die for an unworthy one. (Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans).

Pelagius:

Taxes can also mean taxes for the priests, which were set up for them by God. Or this may mean that you pay taxes to rulers because, in possessing the world, you subjected yourselves to them willingly. Paul calls them “God’s servants” so that people might render unto them what they owe lest it seem that Christ taught his followers pride. (Pelagius’ Commentary on the Romans)

All from the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, New Testament Volume VI - Romans.

 

[ryanoneil]

Paul is challenging every believer to be a model citizen. Since God is the author of the political order, it follows that allegiance to Christ entails reasonable submission to earthly governments.

Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to the king as supreme or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the approval of those who do good. For it is the will of God that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish people. Be free, yet without using freedom as a pretext for evil, but as slaves of God. Give honor to all, love the community, fear God, honor the king. (1 Pet 2:13-17)