The Bible has a lot to say about government and a Christian’s relationship to governing authorities. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible passages that address government:
Romans 13:1-7 – Submit to Governing Authorities
Romans 13 contains one of the most extensive teachings on a Christian’s obligation to government. In this passage, Paul instructs believers to submit to governing authorities because they have been instituted by God. We are to obey governing rulers because they are God’s servants who give their full time to governing. We should submit to government not only to avoid punishment, but because it is the right thing to do before God. However, our submission is contingent on government fulfilling its God-given role of punishing wrong and commending right.
Romans 13:1-2 – “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. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”
1 Peter 2:13-17 – Submit for the Lord’s Sake
In 1 Peter 2, Peter echoes Paul’s teaching on submission to government. Believers are instructed to submit to human authority for the Lord’s sake, whether that authority is a king or governors. Our motivation is to honor God and live as His faithful servants. As free people, we use our freedom to serve God, not as a cover-up for evil.
1 Peter 2:13-14 – “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.”
Titus 3:1-2 – Ready for Every Good Work
Paul advises Titus to remind believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work. As Christians, our aim is to live peaceful, gentle lives in godliness and holiness even under the jurisdiction of human authorities.
Titus 3:1 – “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.”
Proverbs 8:15-16 – Righteous Rule through Me
In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is personified as a woman crying out to people to listen and follow her. Wisdom declares that it is through her that kings reign and rulers enact just laws. This passage conveys that governmental authority exercised with wisdom and righteousness is a blessing from God.
Proverbs 8:15-16 – “By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly.”
Daniel 2:21 – God Removes and Establishes Kings
As Daniel praises God for giving him wisdom to interpret the king’s dream, he acknowledges God’s supreme authority over human kingdoms. God changes the times and seasons, setting up kings and removing them from power. All earthly authorities only rule at God’s discretion.
Daniel 2:21 – “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”
Proverbs 14:34 – Righteousness Exalts a Nation
Scripture affirms that communal righteousness brings blessing and exaltation to a nation. This implies that governments have a responsibility to establish laws and leadership that promote justice and virtue. Ungodly leadership leads citizens astray and invites judgment.
Proverbs 14:34 – “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
Psalm 72 – A Prayer for a Righteous King
Psalm 72 is a prayer for God to establish the king’s reign in righteousness and justice. The psalmist petitions God to give the king divine wisdom to defend the afflicted, crush the oppressor, deliver the needy, and rule the people justly. This reflects God’s ideal for earthly authorities.
Psalm 72:1-4 – “Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice! Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness! May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!”
Exodus 18:13-27 – Appoint Capable Leaders
In Exodus 18, Moses’ father-in-law Jethro observes that Moses is wearing himself out hearing all the disputes of the Israelites alone. Jethro advises Moses to appoint capable, God-fearing leaders to help bear the burden of settling issues among the people. This passage conveys the wisdom of delegating authority to competent subordinates.
Exodus 18:21 – “Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.”
Deuteronomy 16:18-20 – Appoint Judges
In Deuteronomy, Moses charges the Israelites to appoint judges and officials in their towns once they enter the Promised Land. These officials were to judge the people righteously, never perverting justice, showing partiality, or accepting bribes, so that justice would be served.
Deuteronomy 16:18-19 – “You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert justice.”
2 Samuel 23:3-4 – When a Ruler Rules in the Fear of God
In his last words, David describes what it looks like for a ruler to exercise authority in the fear of God. It involves ruling justly over people and being like the light of morning at sunrise. David recognizes that God-honoring leadership brings blessings to a nation.
2 Samuel 23:3-4 – “When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, he dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-3 – Pray for All in Authority
Paul instructs believers to offer supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for all people, including kings and those in authority. We do this so that the spread of the gospel may continue unhindered and so that society may be ordered well for the benefit of all.
1 Timothy 2:2-3 – “Pray 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.”
Acts 5:27-29 – Obey God Rather than Men
When the apostles are commanded by the Sanhedrin to stop teaching about Christ, Peter responds that they must obey God rather than men. This indicates that the authority of human government has limits. When given laws that directly contradict God’s commands, the believer’s ultimate allegiance is to God.
Acts 5:29 – “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.'”
Acts 25:10-12 – Authority Granted from Above
When Paul stands before Governor Festus accused of various crimes, he acknowledges the governor’s authority, noting that all authority ultimately comes from God. This reinforces the biblical teaching that God institutes governing authorities, even pagan rulers like Festus.
Acts 25:10-11 – “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried…I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”
Jeremiah 29:4-7 – Seek the Welfare of the City
When the people of Israel are exiled to Babylon for their disobedience, God instructs them to settle down and seek the welfare of Babylon. Though their oppressors, the leaders of Babylon are still God’s servants carrying out His judgment. This expresses a biblical mandate to bless and build up society, even under pagan or hostile authorities.
Jeremiah 29:7 – “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
Ezra 7:25-26 – Teach God’s Laws to Leaders
In Ezra 7, King Artaxerxes commissions Ezra the priest to administer the Law of God in Judah, even decreeing that Ezra should teach God’s laws to the king’s officials. This exemplifies how God sometimes moves pagan rulers’ hearts to support the establishment of biblical principles in government.
Ezra 7:25 – “And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God.”
Exodus 1:15-17 – Midwives Feared God Over Pharaoh
When Pharaoh commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill all male infants, they feared God more than Pharaoh and refused to obey. This account displays appropriate resistance to a ruling authority commanding something morally wrong in God’s eyes.
Exodus 1:17 – “But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.”
Daniel 3:16-18 – Daniel’s Friends Disobeyed the King
When King Nebuchadnezzar commanded all his officials to worship a golden image, Daniel’s friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused, choosing faithfulness to God over obedience to the king. This exemplifies resisting government authority to remain faithful to God’s commands against idolatry.
Daniel 3:18 – “But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Daniel 6:1-10 – Daniel Defied the King’s Decree
When King Darius signed a decree that no one could pray to any god except him for thirty days, Daniel continued praying faithfully to the true God three times a day. He obeyed God rather than submit to an ungodly government mandate.
Daniel 6:10 – “When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.”
Matthew 22:15-22 – Give to Caesar and God
When asked whether paying taxes to Caesar was lawful, Jesus responded, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” Jesus affirmed submitting to earthly authorities while still giving top priority to God. Christians’ citizenship is first and foremost in God’s Kingdom.
Matthew 22:21 – “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
In summary, the Bible teaches that since all authority is instituted by God, Christians should generally submit to and honor their governing officials. However, the authority of human government is not absolute. When government commands something that directly violates God’s laws, the believer’s ultimate loyalty must be to God. Christians are instructed to pray for those in authority over them that God would move their hearts to rule justly and allow the spread of the gospel. Though submitted to human institutions, a Christian’s primary citizenship is in God’s Kingdom.