Read the passage: Romans 13:1-7 (ESV, Bible Gateway)
Getting started
Briefly consider these questions as a group – (but don’t take too long!)
- The governing authorities introduce a 30km/hr speed limit in your city for after 10pm at night. Do you obey it?
- You are a parent. The government introduces a new law saying that at the start of each day the school should gather and pledge allegiance to the flag of the country. What do you tell your child?
- The government passes a new law that on the 25th March each year all citizens must gather in set places to pay homage to the President/Leader. How do you respond?
- The government bans access to restaurants based on skin colour. Do you accept this? Protest it? Don’t know?
- During a respiratory virus pandemic, the government bans access to restaurants based on vaccination status. Do you accept this? Protest it? Don’t know?
- The government says you must use someone’s preferred pronouns. Do you obey?
- The government says pastors may not refer to any sexual activities as sinful or wrong. Should your pastor obey? Disobey? Don’t know?
- Your country invades a neighbouring country and orders all people aged under 30 to report to the army to enlist and join the fight. Do you obey or disobey?
- Your country is invaded by a neighbouring country. Your government orders all people aged under 30 to report to the army to enlist and join the fight. Do you obey or disobey?
- What is guiding your decision making?
Bible overview
- Before looking at obedience to governing authorities in this particular passage, what does the rest of the Bible teach about obedience generally?
- Consider:
- Genesis 3.1-5: what part did disobedience play in the first sin?
- 1 Sam 15.22: what part does obedience to God play in our relationship with Him?
- Ephesians 6.1: why should we obey our parents, and what do you think Paul means by ‘in the Lord’?
- Hebrews 13.17: why and how should you obey your church leaders?
- Titus 3.1: what role do church leaders have in encouraging obedience to civil authority?
Romans 13 in context
- What is the historical context Paul is writing in?
- What is Paul’s personal context/experience of governing authorities?
- What is the context of chapter 13 within Romans itself (in particular the theme of Law/law- keeping)?
Close-up: Romans 13.1-7
Verse 1
- Who is subject to the governing authorities?
- Is anyone exempt?
- What governing authorities are instituted by God?
- How would you define what ‘the governing authorities’ are?
- Why do you think God institutes civil authorities?
Verses 2-5
- What does the person who refuses to obey deserve and why?
Verses 3-4
- What role of governing authorities does Paul highlight?
- How should you define what good and bad conduct is?
- Can you give some examples of areas the Bible says authorities should address:
Verse 7
- Read Matthew 22.19-21. What did Jesus mean when He said this?
- In what way does this reference to Jesus’ words help us interpret verse 7?
Personal reflection
- When we react strongly to various rules and regulations implemented by the government, it should make us think – ‘why am I reacting as strongly as I am?’. Does my reaction towards the command to obey reveal something about me? Does my criticism of those who do obey reveal something about me? Does my criticism of those who don’t obey reveal something about me?
Leader’s notes
Romans 13 in context
- What is the historical context Paul is writing in?
Written between 55-58AD – probably from Corinth. Geo-political setting: Roman Empire – under Nero. No modern Western democracy! The state engaged in emperor worship; taxes went to support this as well as pagan worship generally. It practised and enforced slavery. There was no state-provided financial social support. Taxation was oppressive, and at the beginning of Nero’s reign this was a cause of growing disgruntlement in Rome and the wider empire. Just prior to Paul writing Romans, Jews (including Jewish Christians) had been ejected from Rome due to the tumult caused during the reign of Claudius. Conclusion: Paul does not have good or God-fearing governments in mind. - What is Paul’s personal context/experience of governing authorities?
Paul is a Roman citizen and made use of those privileges to avoid punishment (Acts 22:25). He was beaten by civil authorities numerous times (Acts 16:22-24; 2 Cor 11:25). He knew all about the realities of pagan governments. Despite this, he worked within their rule of law – making use of his citizenship and appealing to them (Acts 16:37; 25:10-12). At no time does he resist their jurisdiction. In fact, he expresses gratitude that he can address his case to them (Acts 26:1-3). - What is the context of chapter 13 within Romans itself (in particular the theme of Law/law- keeping)?
In Romans 1 and 2 both the breaking of God’s law and the self-righteous keeping of it are examples of lives lived in rebellion toward God. They are both forms of self-justification. We see this in society: both law breakers (standing up for freedom) and law keepers (obeying everything and looking down on those who don’t) are engaging in a form of self-justification. In Christ, God is doing something new (chapters 3-6): creating a new people justified by grace through faith. In Romans 7: law both reveals and provokes sin. God’s commands to obey authorities can reveal the rebel in us; our desire to be independent; our own lawmaker, not have someone else tell me what to do.
Verses 3-4
- What role of governing authorities does Paul highlight?
- How should you define what good and bad conduct is?
The ‘good’: – Those actions in line with God’s law as written in our conscience, nature (Natural Law – Rom 1:18-19; 2:14-15), His word (see below). – Those actions that build up the common good (cf Jer 29:4-9). The ‘bad’ is anything contrary to these things.
- How should you define what good and bad conduct is?
Verse 7
- Read Matthew 22.19-21. What did Jesus mean when He said this?
We are to give to both Caesar and God what they are due: to Caesar, taxes; to God, our entire lives and our worship.- In what way does this reference to Jesus’ words help us interpret verse 7?
There are some things that are not owed to government: worship, ultimate allegiance…
- In what way does this reference to Jesus’ words help us interpret verse 7?
Download the complete study: Bible study on Romans (PDF) and leader’s guide (PDF)