Represent • Romans 13:1-14
By Laura Lee Leathers
Lifeway’s curriculum writing team, for all ages, plans and assigns writers several years in advance. It’s no coincidence, considering the recent elections in Israel and America, that the next lesson in Romans focuses on the institution of government. The lesson reminds “believers that they represent Christ well by honoring civil leaders and loving their neighbors” (Lifeway).
What was the first institution God established? Did you answer the home (Gen. 2:18-25)? Second is government (Gen. 9:1-17), and third is the church (Acts 2).
When the Apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans, persecution against Christians in Rome had not yet begun. Christianity was a Jewish sect and approved by Rome. However, we know that persecution did come because Christians refused to affirm that “Caesar is god.”
Honor Authorities (Rom. 13:1-7, CSB)
Take a moment to read Genesis 9:1-17. Do you know why this is considered the first place where governmental authority is mentioned? In the article “Is Capital Punishment for Today?” Russell Fuller takes a closer look at the God-given command and its abiding authority. He also shows how Paul confirms this in Romans 13:4, where he describes the civil magistrate as the “minister of God.”
Next, look at Acts 17:24-28. Paul, addressing the Areopagus, states, “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings” (v. 26, NKJV).
Now that we have established that God has instituted government in every nation — what is a government’s purpose? Governing authorities are responsible for establishing laws and ordinances for society’s good (v. 3) and enforcing punishment for crimes. A believer’s responsibility is to obey the laws and submit to the government’s leaders.
Notice that a believer is to submit not just “because of wrath but also because of your conscience” (see 1 Tim. 1:5; 19; 3:9; 4:2; and Acts 24:16). Out of our good conscience, we are obligated to everyone, paying taxes and tolls, giving respect and honor to those who are owed (also read 1 Peter 2:13-17, 1 Timothy 2:1-2).
“A Christian’s ultimate allegiance belongs to God. When the government forces us to make a choice, we must choose to obey God” (Lifeway). In Acts 5:29, Peter and the other disciples had to take a stand against the Sanhedrin when they were ordered to cease preaching. “We must obey God rather than men” (ESV).
Honor Each Other (Rom. 13:8-10)
In John 13:34, Jesus gave a new command: love one another. By doing so, others will know that you are a disciple of Christ.
Paul mentions four of the Ten Commandments, all rooted in selfishness. They are murder, adultery, stealing, and coveting (v. 9). The opposite of selfishness is self-giving love. Out of love and our good conscience towards God, we not only obey the local, state, and national laws, but we love our neighbors as ourselves.
Look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Paul reminded the Corinthians that genuine love consistently seeks the good of others” (Lifeway pupil, p. 105).
Laws will not change a person’s heart; only God’s grace gift of salvation can do that.
Honor Christ (Rom. 13:11-14)
In our final passage, Paul reminds the believer to look towards the future, the day of Jesus’ return. Notice how Paul has moved us “from fear to conscience to love to our devotion to Jesus Christ” (Wiersbe, p.147)!* Roman believers were to “wake up from sleep,” meaning be spiritually ready and faithful, because “salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”
No one knows the day or hour of Christ’s return. Until that time, believers are to “put on the armor of light” because it shines through the darkness. Believers are to “walk with decency,” and then Paul lists six examples of godless behavior.
In verse 14, believers are reminded to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Through Him we have everything we need to live a life of godliness.
“God established human government because man is a sinner and must have some kind of authority over him…Even though we cannot always respect the man in office, we must respect the office, for government was ordained by God” (Wiersbe, p. 145).*
Pray for government leaders to know Christ and to be surrounded by people who offer godly wisdom and counsel.
*Be Right, How to Be Right with God, Yourself, and Others, by Warren W. Wiersbe (1977), referenced pages 144-148.
Leathers is a member of First Baptist Church, Lexington.
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