Romans 13:1-7 Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.… I. THE ORIGIN AND NEED OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT. If "the powers that be" (civil government) "are ordained of God," we infer that civil society itself is ordained of God. This will be manifest when we consider — 1. Man's natural impulses for society. The instincts of our nature dispose us to live in society, and to seek sympathy and assistance from others. "Solitary confinement" is one of the most terrible punishments which can be inflicted. 2. Man's natural position and circumstances. By means of society the race is preserved, and civilisation developed. If human beings were completely isolated, the race would degenerate and become extinct. Man needs the aid of civil authority to protect his life and property from the malice and power of the evilly-disposed. II. THE OBLIGATION OF OBEDIENCE TO CIVIL AUTHORITY. In civil society laws are enacted and governments appointed to enforce the right and put down the wrong. And all rightly disposed persons willingly subject themselves to this authority. This must needs be — 1. As a matter of duty, not of fear only. The fear of punishment is a check upon evil. doers, and thus, in a measure, prevents lawlessness. With evildoers obedience is a matter of compulsion or of expediency. But there is another standard, that of duty, which some take who are not disposed to admit that "the powers that be are ordained of God." 2. As a matter of conscience towards God. No human government is infallible. But the Christian, from love and conscience towards God, yields a cheerful obedience to "the powers that be," so long as the civil laws do not conflict with the Divine. III. THE DUTY OF REVERENCE TO OFFICIAL DIGNITY. 1. As to our "dues" to the public revenue. The language implies that we are not to regard the levied rates as gifts to the government, but as debts. 2. As to our respect for official distinction. "Fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour" (2 Peter 2:10). In no society or government shall we find matters exactly agreeable. But we must remember that the basis of society is mutual forbearance and self-sacrifice for mutual benefit. Our dislikes, then, should not prevent us from rendering due reverence to official dignity, as well as to rank, talent, and all true worth. The whole of the apostle's teaching shows that we are bound to render obedience on the ground that government is an "ordinance of God." But this implies that the government shall not enact, nor its authorities seek to enforce anything that would require disobedience to the will of God. Hence we conclude — 1. That this precludes all illegal action against government on the part of Christians. 2. That it permits all legal means for the redress of any real injustice. 3. That the obligation of obedience is ever dependent on the righteousness of the command. (J. W. Kaye, M.A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. |
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