The Bible has a lot to say about authority and how we should relate to it as Christians. Here is an overview of some key biblical passages that touch on this important topic.
Romans 13:1-7 – Submitting to Governing Authorities
Romans 13 contains one of the most extensive passages on relating to earthly authorities. In summary, it teaches that governing authorities are established by God and we are to submit to them. The only exception would be if the authorities command something contrary to God’s Word. Some key verses include:
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. (Romans 13:1)
Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. (Romans 13:2)
Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. (Romans 13:7)
This passage forms an important basis for Christian civic engagement and obedience to earthly laws and leadership.
Hebrews 13:17 – Obeying Church Leaders
In addition to discussing secular authorities, the Bible also addresses authority within the church. Hebrews 13:17 says:
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
This verse teaches that church members should generally submit to and obey church leaders since they are accountable before God for caring for their members’ spiritual well-being. However, as with civil authorities, there would be occasions where obeying church leaders would conflict with God’s Word.
1 Peter 2:13-17 – Submit to All Authorities
1 Peter 2:13-17 contains a command similar to Romans 13:1-7 but addressed to believers who were facing persecution. Key principles include:
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. (1 Peter 2:13-14)
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2:17)
Even when facing unjust suffering, believers are called to honor and submit to established authorities to honor God and their conscience.
Titus 3:1-2 – Submit to Rulers and Authorities
Titus 3 echoes many of the same commands regarding relating to authorities:
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. (Titus 3:1-2)
Like Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2, this passage in Titus commands believers to demonstrate submission even when authorities are unjust.
Acts 5:27-32 – Obey God Rather Than Men
While the Bible commands us to generally submit to authorities, there are occasions where obeying God takes precedence. In Acts 5, the apostles are commanded by the authorities not to teach about Jesus. Peter responds:
We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)
Whenever human commands contradict God’s commands, Christians must follow their conscience and the Word of God.
Matthew 8:5-13 – Jesus’ Authority Over Disease
The gospels showcase Jesus’ authority in dramatic ways. One example is when a centurion asks Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus replies:
“Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment. (Matthew 8:13)
This remarkable miracle displays Christ’s authority and power over physical healings and disease.
Mark 1:21-28 – Jesus’ Authority to Teach
A passage in Mark highlights Jesus’ authority and impact as a teacher:
And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. (Mark 1:22)
Jesus taught with conviction and clarity that stood out from other religious teachers of the day.
Matthew 28:18-20 – Christ’s Universal Authority
After His resurrection, Jesus emphasizes His supreme authority over heaven and earth:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
As Lord of all, Jesus commissions His followers to spread the gospel message to all people across the nations.
Luke 20:1-8 – Questioning Jesus’ Authority
When the chief priests, scribes and elders question Jesus’ authority, He responds by highlighting John the Baptist’s affirmation of His authority:
The baptism of John, was it from heaven or from man?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” (Luke 20:4-8)
Jesus highlights that the testimony of Scripture and godly people confirm His authority and identity as the Son of God.
Matthew 8:28-34 – Authority Over Evil Spirits
Jesus also demonstrated authority over the spiritual realm by casting out demons:
And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. (Matthew 8:28-32)
Jesus’ authority stands far above demonic forces that resist and rebel against Him.
Colossians 2:10 – Christ Is Head Over All
Colossians 2 affirms Jesus’ supremacy over all other powers:
And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:10)
While earthly rulers and angelic forces wield authority in different spheres, Christ is ultimately King of kings and Lord of lords.
Ephesians 1:20-23 – Christ Rules Over All
A passage in Ephesians emphasizes Jesus’ exalted position of authority:
He raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked… And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church (Ephesians 1:20-22)
Jesus is completely sovereign over every realm of authority, both in this age and in the age to come.
1 Corinthians 11:3 – God’s Hierarchy of Authority
Paul outlines a hierarchy of authority within God’s design:
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. (1 Corinthians 11:3)
While equal in essence, God establishes an order of authority between men and women, humanity and Christ, and Christ and God the Father.
Genesis 1:26 – God Gives Mankind Authority
In the creation account, God grants authority to human beings:
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26)
Man’s rule and authority over the earth reflects the dominion of God Himself, the supreme authority over all.
John 19:10-11 – God Grants Authority
When Pilate questions Jesus, Jesus responds that all authority derives from God:
So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.” (John 19:10-11)
Earthly authorities only wield power permitted by God in His sovereignty.
Proverbs 6:20-22 – Parental Authority
Proverbs highlights the authority parents have over their children:
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. (Proverbs 6:20-22)
God establishes the responsibility of parental authority for the growth and protection of children.
Hebrews 13:7 – Submit to Church Leaders
In addition to obeying leaders, Hebrews 13 also encourages believers to submit to them:
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7)
Appropriate submission involves trusting and following godly leaders who live lives worthy of respect and imitation.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 – Honor Godly Leaders
1 Thessalonians 5 instructs believers in how to relate to spiritual authorities:
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
Christian leaders should be honored and valued for their sacrificial service and care for believers.
1 Timothy 2:1-3 – Praying for Governing Authorities
Paul urges prayers for those in positions of authority:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior. (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
Prayer is a key way Christians can honor and support governing officials.
Titus 3:1 – Ready for Every Good Work
In addition to submission, Paul encourages constructive contribution to authorities:
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work (Titus 3:1)
Being “ready for every good work” implies willing participation in honoring authorities through positive action.
Romans 13:1 – No Authority Except From God
Paul grounds authority in God’s sovereign control:
For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13:1)
All authority derives from God’s ultimate rule and His establishing of different realms of jurisdiction.
1 Peter 5:5 – Clothe Yourselves in Humility
When relating to leaders and authorities, Scripture instructs:
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)
The posture of humility helps us accept and thrive under various kinds of leadership and authority structures.
Exodus 18:13-26 – Delegating Authority
In Exodus 18, Moses’ father-in-law Jethro gave him wise leadership advice about delegating authority:
Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out… Select capable men from all the people–men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain–and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.” (Exodus 18:17-21)
Good leadership involves delegating authority to trustworthy individuals for the benefit of the whole community.
Matthew 20:25-28 – Servant Leadership
Contrary to the Gentiles’ view of authority, Jesus teaches his disciples true leadership is servanthood:
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)
The highest authority is sacrificial service following Christ’s model.
While civil disobedience is justified at times, the general biblical model for relating to earthly authorities, whether government, church or family, is respect, honor, submission, obedience, prayer and humble service. As we walk in wisdom towards leadership structures we didn’t create but live under, we can trust God who sovereignly establishes authority for His glory and our good.