What does Romans 13:7 teach about respecting authority and government? Setting the Moment in Romans 13 Paul has just declared that “there is no authority except from God” (Romans 13:1). Government is therefore not accidental but God-ordained, designed to restrain evil and promote good. Verse 7 flows naturally out of that truth and spells out the daily, tangible response believers owe to those who govern. The Core Instruction (Romans 13:7) “Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue, respect to whom respect, honor to whom honor.” Four Specific Obligations • Taxes (personal or income): the ordinary, recurring assessments that fund civil services. • Revenue (customs, tolls, fees): occasional or business-related payments. • Respect (phobos—reverent fear): an inward attitude that recognizes God’s placement of the official. • Honor (timē—public esteem): open acknowledgment that confers dignity on the officeholder. Together they form a comprehensive call: meet financial duties and maintain a heart posture that mirrors Christ’s toward earthly authority. Respect and Honor—Distinguishing the Attitudes • Respect targets the inner man—acknowledging an authority’s right to exist and act. • Honor is outward—words, gestures, and comportment that show esteem. • Ignoring either dimension fractures our witness; Scripture unites the two so our obedience is both genuine and visible. Echoes Through the Rest of Scripture • Matthew 22:21—“Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” • 1 Peter 2:13-17—“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution… Honor the king.” • Titus 3:1—“Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient.” • Proverbs 24:21—“Fear the LORD and the king.” • 1 Timothy 2:1-2—Prayer for leaders is part of honoring them. Each passage reinforces that civil compliance is not optional; it is an act of worship toward the Sovereign who instituted government. Why Obedience Matters • Upholds God’s order in society (Romans 13:4). • Protects the Christian from just punishment (Romans 13:2-4). • Adorns the gospel with credibility (Titus 2:10). • Frees believers to live “quiet and tranquil” lives that facilitate gospel advance (1 Timothy 2:2). When Obedience Collides with Higher Allegiance Government cannot compel sin. If a law forces disobedience to God, believers follow the apostles’ model: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Even then, responses remain respectful, accepting lawful consequences without rebellion. Practical Ways to Live This Out • File taxes accurately and on time. • Pay required fees without grumbling. • Speak of officials—local, national, and international—with measured, courteous words. • Participate responsibly (voting, jury duty, community meetings) as a form of honor. • Pray regularly for leaders by name, asking God to guide them toward righteousness. • Model civility online; refuse to share slander or disrespectful memes about authorities. Summing It Up Romans 13:7 moves Christian submission from theory to practice: handle money matters honestly, foster inward respect, and display overt honor toward every level of government. Doing so recognizes God’s hand in earthly structures, strengthens personal witness, and keeps conscience clear before both rulers and the ultimate King. |
    |