Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
In our context, it’s difficult to know when to push back against authority and when not to. In our cultural and governmental context in America, leaders are elected and chosen. The voice of the people is encouraged in decision-making. Agreement or the lack thereof provides the discourse of decision-making in our country.
In Paul’s context, the Roman Empire served as the center of the modern world.* The dynamics of an empire are much different than what we experience in our country, making it difficult to relate Paul’s exact intentions to the church in Rome at the time of his writing.* Regardless of the nuances, the influence of the Romans was wide-spread, and a certain group of zealous Christians at the time of Paul desired to rebel against all things “of this world.”* In their eyes, things that we now support as Christians were seen as “of this world” (things such as marriage!!).*
Paul’s efforts in this passage were not to suggest a blind following of leadership even when it misaligns with God (the ultimate authority).* The context of Scripture attests to this (Acts 4:19, 5:29, etc). Paul was operating from a place of understanding that our allegiance first and foremost goes to God and then government after that. Those that Paul talked to did not have a problem putting God first. They had a problem with balance in their lives. It was the kind of balance that Jesus modeled in Mark 12:17: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
With this in mind, in our context, we do need to recognize that God sets up all authority. Our understanding of this should come through knowing that though God constructs and sets in authority, and He can remove it when He wishes, people still have the opportunity to lead and act well or not.*
Our choice is how we respond. There’s no formula. There’s relationship. We must ask God (who has all authority and is over all authority) how to respond to the authority that He has allowed in place. Only living by His answers will we find peace.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to respect authority. Perhaps God wants you to ask God what He thinks of the leadership you serve under. Maybe God wants you to ask Him about His thoughts on what you have done with your authority. Perhaps today God wants you to recognize His supreme authority in your life and this world. Maybe today God wants you to allow Him to show you balance.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
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*Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 490–494). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Osborne, G. R. (2004). Romans (pp. 341–343). InterVarsity Press.
Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (pp. 457–462). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (pp. 420–433). Zondervan Publishing House.