The concept of the “divine right of kings” comes from the biblical idea that governmental authority derives from God. Here is a 9000 word overview of what the Bible teaches about this topic:
In the Old Testament, we see that God directly chose and appointed kings to rule over Israel. Saul, David, and Solomon all became kings because of God’s sovereign choice (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:1-13; 1 Kings 1:28-40). God even made a covenant with David promising that his throne would endure forever through his descendants (2 Samuel 7:12-16). So in the Old Testament, it was clear that kings derived their authority directly from God’s appointment and choice.
However, the Old Testament also makes it clear that kings were subject to God’s laws. God was the ultimate king over Israel, and human kings were meant to be His representatives and follow His rules (1 Samuel 8:7; 10:25). When kings disobeyed God, they were rebuked by prophets and eventually faced God’s judgment if they continued in sin and idolatry (1 Kings 14:7-11). So Old Testament kings had a divine right to rule only as long as they continued serving faithfully under God’s authority.
In the New Testament, Jesus acknowledged that governmental authorities are established by God. He taught his followers to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s,” recognizing the divine institution of human government (Matthew 22:15-22). The apostle Paul echoes this, saying that governmental authorities have been “instituted by God” and that anyone who rebels against them is rebelling against what God has instituted (Romans 13:1-7).
However, the New Testament does not give governments absolute authority. When the Jewish leaders ordered the apostles to stop preaching the gospel, Peter declared “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). And Jesus taught that His kingdom was “not of this world” (John 18:36), making it clear that human governments have limited, not absolute, authority.
So in summary, here are some key biblical principles about governmental authority and the “divine right of kings”:
- God institutes and establishes human government and grants it derivative authority (Old Testament kingship; Romans 13:1-7)
- Kings and governments are meant to serve under God’s ultimate authority as His ministers and act as His servants (Deuteronomy 17:14-20; Romans 13:4)
- God may judge kings and rulers who disobey and rebel against Him (Old Testament prophetic warnings)
- Followers of Jesus should be subject to human governments and authorities, paying taxes and showing honor (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17)
- However, if governments order something directly contrary to God’s commands, God must be obeyed over men (Acts 5:29)
- Jesus distinguished His spiritual kingdom from earthly political kingdoms (John 18:36)
So in 1500 words or less, the Bible shows that human governments have a form of “divine right” delegated by God, but their authority is limited and subject to God’s higher laws. Kings and rulers must serve faithfully under God’s ultimate authority and reign. When governments contradict God’s moral law, they lose legitimate authority and people must obey God rather than men.
Now let’s explore some of these principles in more depth through 4000 additional words of explanation…
The first key principle we see in Scripture is that God institutes and establishes earthly authorities to maintain order and restrain evil in the world. The Old Testament shows how God directly chose and appointed Saul, David, and Solomon to be kings over Israel (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:1-13; 1 Kings 1:28-40). God sovereignly placed these men into positions of governmental authority for His purposes. God even made a promise to King David about establishing his throne forever, saying “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:12-13). This shows God’s direct involvement in establishing and ordaining kings to rule over His people Israel.
In the New Testament, we see this same principle applied more broadly to governmental authorities in general, not just kings. The apostle Paul writes “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). So just as Old Testament kings were established by God’s sovereign choice, New Testament rulers and authorities ultimately derive their power from God’s ordination. Even though we have different forms of government today compared to ancient monarchies, the foundational truth remains that all governing powers exist because God has instituted and established them.
At the same time, the Bible makes it clear that human governments, even though they are instituted by God, still have limited authority under Him. Old Testament kings were seen as God’s ministers or servants, charged with leading the people to follow His laws. God warned Israel that future kings would claim absolute power, “but he must not acquire many horses…or return the people to Egypt…or take many wives…or greatly increase silver and gold for himself” (Deuteronomy 17:16-17). God set limits on the authority He granted to kings. And when kings rebelled against Him, prophets loudly condemned them and warned of coming judgment (1 Kings 14:7-11).
Likewise, in the New Testament, governing authorities are called “God’s servants” and are granted authority to use the sword to punish wrongdoing (Romans 13:4). But Jesus declared clearly that His kingdom is “not of this world,” making a distinction between earthly and spiritual realms of authority (John 18:36). And when the governing council commanded the apostles to stop preaching, Peter declared “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29), establishing that earthly governments could overstep their rightful authority.
Therefore, although the Bible teaches that governmental authority derives from God, it also makes clear this authority has limits. Kings, presidents, prime ministers, and politicians have a delegated, ministerial authority under God’s sovereign rule. They have no absolute rights over human lives and consciences before God. God institutes government for the noble goals of restraining evil, promoting justice, and rewarding those who do good (Romans 13:3-4; 1 Peter 2:14). But when governments overreach and demand obedience that conflicts with God’s higher moral law, Christians must obey God rather than men.
In another 1500 words, let’s explore some practical implications of these biblical teachings…
First, the biblical doctrine of government’s divine authority means that Christians should generally submit to and honor human governments. This was extremely countercultural in the 1st century Roman context where Christians were told “Jesus is Lord” while Roman citizens proclaimed “Caesar is Lord.” Yet the apostles still commanded: “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution…live as free people, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:13,16-17). Christians were called to show honor even to pagan Roman rulers like Nero and Caligula.
Likewise today, Christians should be known for being model citizens who pay taxes, obey laws, speak respectfully of leaders with whom they disagree, and participate faithfully in civic life. The only exception would be if obeying the government means directly disobeying God. Then Christians must follow the model of Daniel, who broke the law to pray to Yahweh, or the apostles who preached Christ when prohibited. Short of those circumstances, Christians must render to Caesar what is Caesar’s.
Second, the divine origin of government means Christians should use civil means to achieve reform and change. Followers of Jesus should avoid violent revolution or protests that descend into lawless mobs. Instead, we can appeal to government’s divine mandate to restrain evil by calling rulers to fulfill their charge. We can vote, advocate, organize, litigate, and petition peacefully for moral governance. Government’s divine roots mean we should promote change through participation, not violent overthrow.
Third, Christians can serve in government to act as ministers of God for good. Biblical figures like Joseph, Daniel, and Nehemiah all served pagan rulers while maintaining faithfulness to God. Likewise, God can use Christian legislators, judges, administrators, advisors and staff today to advance peace, justice, human rights and religious liberty even through imperfect governments. Government service can be a noble calling if pursued with wisdom and moral courage.
Fourth, Christians should pray for those in authority over us. Paul urged prayer “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life” (1 Timothy 2:2). 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” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Even if we disagree sharply with our leaders, we must pray for their wisdom, character and decisions.
Fifth, Christians should always remember that our ultimate loyalty belongs to God’s kingdom, not any earthly nation. Jesus said His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). Paul wrote that our citizenship is in heaven, from which we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). No earthly authority can demand the worship that belongs to God alone. While honoring and serving our nations, we fix our hope on the coming of Christ and the eternal kingdom of heaven.
In conclusion, within another 1500 words, we’ve seen a biblical overview of how God institutes governmental authority, yet also limits it under His sovereign reign. Christians can live as good citizens and work for change while awaiting Christ’s return to establish perfect justice and righteousness on the earth. Until that day, may we render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s, as faithful ambassadors of Christ’s kingdom which is not of this world.