Romans 13:5 says “Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.” This verse raises an important question – what does it mean that we should submit to the government for conscience’ sake?
To understand this verse, we first need to look at the broader context. Romans 13:1-7 discusses the Christian’s responsibility to submit to governing authorities. In verses 1-2, Paul says that all authority is established by God, so to rebel against authority is to rebel against what God has instituted. Believers should therefore submit to avoid judgment. In verses 3-4, Paul explains that rulers are servants of God to punish wrongdoing. So those who do right should have no fear of authorities.
This background helps shed light on verse 5. Even if rulers are wicked, believers should still submit “for the sake of conscience.” There are several aspects to this:
1. Obeying authorities enables a clear conscience before God. As discussed, God ordains government for order and justice. Defying rulers could violate our conscience by going against God’s purposes. Submitting maintains a clear conscience that we are obeying God’s plan.
2. Obeying authorities enables a clear conscience before others. Open rebellion against government creates public disruption and disorder. Submitting enables believers to keep a clear conscience in society.
3. Obeying authorities enables a clear conscience before the rulers. Open defiance creates direct conflict with authorities. Submitting allows believers to have a clear conscience that they are being dutiful citizens.
However, conscience is not a call to unquestioning obedience. Elsewhere Scripture teaches there are exceptions where disobedience may be warranted (see Acts 5:29). But conscience means that believers should generally submit, rather than overthrow, established order. Some key principles for conscience include:
– Obey rulers whenever obedience does not cause us to directly disobey God.
– Seek to be model citizens as much as depends on us.
– Don’t resist or revolt without clear biblical warrant.
– Be willing to patiently endure hardship from unfair rulers.
– Consider emigration when oppression makes living untenable.
– Use legal and ethical means to improve society where possible.
– Pray for rulers and work for societal improvement.
– Trust God is sovereign over human governments.
In summary, submitting to authorities is a matter of Christian conscience because it preserves order, enables clear consciences before God and others, and promotes good citizenship and public peace. However, conscience also means discerning when civil disobedience is biblically justified. In either case, believers act in good conscience when they thoughtfully submit to, or resist, authorities based on scriptural teaching.
Next, Romans 13:1-7 provides some principles regarding taxes and revenue that contribute to understanding conscience and government:
1. Paying taxes is upheld – Paul states taxes and revenue are to be paid as part of our duty to authorities in Romans 13:6-7. Refusing taxes could violate conscience.
2. Taxation is not unlimited – Paul implicitly understands rulers do not have absolute rights. Limits likely exist where taxes infringe on conscience.
3. Military service has limits – As with taxes, conscience would preclude any demands for unjust violence against the innocent.
4. Submission can be passive or active – Passive submission pays taxes. Active submission includes public service if it accords with conscience. Both are encouraged.
5. Corruption does not negate duty – We submit even if rulers are flawed or inefficient with taxes.
6. Conscience requires we contribute value – While submitting, we should also live purposefully and contribute value through work.
In democratic societies, responsible citizenship would also require dutiful participation (voting, juries, community service, etc.). But guidance would include:
– Vote and persuade according to biblical conscience.
– Participate in politics without compromising key values.
– Support constitutional liberties that align with Scripture.
– Promote moral righteousness more than partisan interests.
In conclusion, conscience includes:
– Submitting to authorities to maintain order and peace.
– Discerning when civil disobedience is necessary per biblical teaching.
– Being a model citizen within societal structures.
– Using legal and ethical means to improve society.
– Paying taxes and participating constructively in civic duties.
– Contributing value through work while submitting to government.
– In democratic societies, participating dutifully while prioritizing biblical values over partisanship.
Conscience requires thoughtful navigation between submission to authorities and faithfulness to Christ. This includes responsible citizenship along with adherence to moral boundaries. As we strive to interpret and apply Romans 13 faithfully, we must seek wisdom from Scripture and the Spirit’s guidance to walk in good conscience before God and others.
Romans 13:1-7 has been applied to various forms of government throughout history. Here are some principles for conscience when applying this passage:
Totalitarian Regimes:
– Discern when obedience violates clear biblical commands. Be willing to disobey specific unjust dictates (Exodus 1:15-21).
– Use means such as emigration when possible to avoid compromise.
– Be creative to live out the gospel under tyranny when unable to leave (Esther).
– Subvert unjust laws discreetly by hiding fugitives (Rescuers in Nazi Germany).
– Remember that sanctified conscience may require civil disobedience (Daniel 3:12-18).
Democratic Societies:
– Participate constructively through voting, juries, community service and paying taxes.
– Promote biblical values through legal means such as lobbying, activism, persuasive speech.
– Run for office if gifted and called to serve in that capacity with wisdom.
– Disobey specific laws only when they directly conflict with moral duties before God.
– Remember authority still deserves respect and obedience unless disobedience is essential.
All Societies:
– Do good through work, caring for others, creation care, social innovation, art, and business.
– Build community and work for the common good, not just individual interests.
– Be a devout citizen by practicing spiritual disciplines regardless of circumstances.
– Trust ultimately in God’s sovereignty rather than human rulers or institutions.
– Pray for those in authority regardless of whether they are just rulers or not.
In summary, Romans 13 calls believers to thoughtfully submit to authorities with biblical discernment and sanctified conscience. This requires wisdom in navigating tensions between obedience to God and to the state. As we seek God’s kingdom while awaiting Christ’s return, we can live out the gospel through creative, courageous and constructive action, even under unjust regimes. God is able to work through us to plant seeds that can bear righteous fruit over time.
Romans 13 has vital contemporary relevance for issues like abortion, same-sex marriage and transgenderism. Christians must have biblical discernment about when conscience requires civil disobedience versus obedient citizenship. Here are some principles to consider:
Abortion:
– Seek to protect preborn life through legal action and non-violent activism.
– Peacefully disobey laws that would compel participation in abortion.
– Openly criticize unjust rulings like Roe v. Wade as judicial overreach.
– Refuse to directly participate in abortion while showing grace to those who do.
LGBTQ+:
– Affirm the equal dignity of all while holding to biblical sexual ethics.
– Disobey mandates that compel speech or restrict religious freedom.
– Criticize rulings that impose novel views of marriage and gender.
– Show grace to LGBTQ persons while avoiding complicity in sinful lifestyles.
General Approach:
– Be thoughtful citizens by upholding moral order and the common good.
– Use legal means to persuade authorities toward righteousness.
– Disobey only specific laws that directly conflict with obeying God.
– Combine courageous conviction with humility, compassion and wisdom in dissent.
– Trust God is sovereign and His Kingdom will ultimately triumph.
In conclusion, Christians must have sanctified consciences guided by Scripture when determining whether to submit to or biblically resist authorities on issues like abortion and LGBTQ+ agendas. This requires deep prayer, wisdom, courage and discernment. With dependence on the Spirit, we can walk in good conscience before God and others as we shine as lights in our societies (Philippians 2:15).
Romans 13 has important implications for the Christian view of military service and war. How should conscience guide believers on these complex issues? Here are some principles to consider:
1. Submit to government in matters of just war – Scripture allows for the state to use force to defend the innocent against evil (Romans 13:4). Christians may serve with good conscience when warfare is just.
2. Do not participate in unjust warfare – Conscience should compel objection when war involves unjust violence or oppression of others.
3. military service may conflict with Kingdom ethics – Conscience may lead some to object to all warfare based on commands to love enemies (Matthew 5:43-48).
4. Legal exemptions should be allowed – Government should respect conscience protections for conscientious objectors to military service.
5. Show honor to soldiers – Regardless of personal views, those who serve nobly should be honored and supported.
6. Pray for peace and enemies – Christians should pray for peace and even enemy blessing (Matthew 5:44).
7. Seek reconciliation – We should be peacemakers between groups of people in conflict (Matthew 5:9).
8. Do good to all – Our conscience should compel us to humanitarian service to friend and foe alike.
9. Trust God’s sovereign purposes – Whatever circumstances, God works ultimately for redemptive good (Romans 8:28).
In conclusion, following conscience on military service is often complex. Biblical principles can lead some to justified military action, others to conscientious objection, and all believers to promote peacemaking. By thoughtfully navigating these issues through prayer and discernment, we can maintain sanctified consciences while workingredemptively in our societies.
Romans 13:1-7 provides valuable guidance for Christians in their civic responsibilities and relationship to government authorities. But there are also dangers if these verses are interpreted or applied poorly. Here are some cautions:
1. Don’t use Romans 13 to justify blind allegiance to the state. – Government should be obeyed unless it contradicts God’s moral commands. And unjust policies should be respectfully critiqued.
2. Don’t invalidate Romans 13 simply because government is flawed. – Though imperfect, government still serves divine purposes and deserves broad submission.
3. Don’t assume dissent is forbidden. – Responsible, ethically-guided protest has its place in good citizenship.
4. Don’t justify sinful warfare, oppression or violence. – Government force must be constrained by moral considerations.
5. Don’t expect government to perfectly achieve divine purposes. – Human institutions will always be flawed, so faith rests ultimately in God’s kingdom.
6. Don’t become self-righteous toward those who disagree. – Even sincere believers may weigh obedience and dissent differently on complex issues.
7. Don’t neglect the church’s prophetic role. – The church should credibly critique society’s moral failures while modeling a better way.
8. Don’t confuse nationality with spirituality. – While responsible citizenship is good, our primary identity is as Christians.
In conclusion, Romans 13 helpfully articulates broad principles for how believers should honor governing authorities. But proper application requires recognizing the nuances, limitations and cautions highlighted above. Our conscience ultimately belongs first to God, not the state. With wisdom, thoughtfulness and sound ethics, we can be upstanding citizens while avoiding potential pitfalls in applying this vital passage.
In summary, Romans 13:5 calls believers to submit to government as a matter of Christian conscience. This requires thoughtful consideration of how to biblically honor and participate in civic life. Key principles include:
– Obeying rulers to maintain order and enable clear consciences.
– Discerning when civil disobedience is warranted according to Scripture.
– Being responsible, ethical citizens who contribute value.
– Constructively participating in democracy guided by biblical values.
– Creatively living out the gospel even under unjust regimes.
– Allowing conscience exemptions from demands violating biblical commands.
– Combining courageous conviction with humility, compassion and wisdom.
– Trusting ultimately in God’s sovereignty over human government.
As we seek God’s kingdom while awaiting Christ’s return, He calls us to be thoughtful believers and upstanding citizens. With sanctified consciences guided by Scripture, we can shine as redemptive lights even in flawed societies. Though not perfect, government remains instituted by God, so we submit conscientiously while pursuing justice, righteousness and shalom.