Governments, as ordained institutions, play a significant role in the biblical narrative and theological understanding of order, justice, and authority. The Bible provides insight into the divine purpose and function of governments, emphasizing their role in maintaining societal order and executing justice.

Divine Ordination of Governments

The Bible affirms that governments are established by God to maintain order and execute justice. Romans 13:1-2 states, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." This passage underscores the belief that governmental authority is divinely instituted, and obedience to such authority is a reflection of obedience to God.

Purpose and Function

Governments are tasked with the responsibility of promoting good and restraining evil. Romans 13:3-4 further elaborates, "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is right, and you will have his approval. For he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." This passage highlights the role of governments as agents of justice, tasked with rewarding righteousness and punishing wrongdoing.

Submission to Authority

The Bible encourages believers to submit to governmental authorities as an act of obedience to God. 1 Peter 2:13-14 instructs, "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right." This submission is not merely for the sake of order but is seen as a testimony to one's faith and trust in God's sovereign plan.

Limits of Governmental Authority

While the Bible advocates for submission to governmental authorities, it also acknowledges the limits of such authority, especially when it conflicts with God's commands. Acts 5:29 records the apostles' response to the Sanhedrin, "But Peter and the other apostles replied, 'We must obey God rather than men.'" This principle establishes that when human laws contradict divine mandates, believers are to prioritize obedience to God.

Prayer for Leaders

The Bible encourages prayer for those in authority, recognizing the significant impact of their decisions on society. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 urges, "First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity." Prayer for leaders is seen as a means of seeking divine guidance and wisdom for those who govern.

Examples of Government in Scripture

Throughout the Bible, various forms of government are depicted, from the patriarchal leadership of the early Israelites to the monarchies of Israel and Judah. The reigns of kings such as David and Solomon illustrate the potential for righteous governance, while the failures of other kings highlight the consequences of departing from God's statutes.

The New Testament also reflects on the Roman government, under which Jesus and the apostles lived. Jesus' teaching to "Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s" (Mark 12:17) illustrates the balance between civic responsibility and spiritual devotion.

In summary, the Bible presents governments as divinely ordained institutions with the purpose of maintaining order, executing justice, and promoting the common good. Believers are called to respect and pray for their leaders while prioritizing obedience to God above all.(1 Corinthians 12:28), the powers which fit a man for a place of influence in the church; "the steersman's art; the art of guiding aright the vessel of church or state."

Seemingly from the Dawn of Man all Nations have had Governments...
... Chapter 23 Seemingly from the dawn of man all nations have had governments?
Seemingly from the dawn of man all nations have had ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 23 seemingly from the.htm

Of the Constant Falsehood of the Devil, and of the Powers and ...
... Against Heresies: Book V Chapter XXIV."Of the constant falsehood of the devil, and
of the powers and governments of the world, which we ought to obey ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxiv of the constant falsehood.htm

The Extraordinary Teachers of the Apostolic Church; and Its ...
... in the church, first, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly, teachers; after
that, miracles; then, gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the extraordinary teachers.htm

Contents. Lecture I.
... Providential and moral governments indispensable to the highest good of the
universe. " Human governments a necessity of human nature. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/contents lecture i.htm

The Final Conflict.
... the mountains of Israel. The beast and the kings of the earth symbolize
the various governments in the world. The "beast" is that ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the final conflict.htm

Human Government.
... LECTURE XX. HUMAN GOVERNMENT. Human governments a part of the moral government
of God. In the discussion of this subject I will,". ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xx human government.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
... having carried them with them, with supplication they came before him, saying: We
beseech thee, O good emperor, send orders into all the governments of your ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostles peter and paul/acts of the holy apostles.htm

Whether all Ecclesiastical Prelates are in the State of Perfection ...
... Hence a gloss on 1:Cor.12:28, "to one, helps, to another, governments [*Vulg.:
'God hath set some in the church . . . helps, governments ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether all ecclesiastical prelates are.htm

And Now the Time is Come for us to Proceed to the Demonstration of ...
... 2. Of old the nations of the earth, the entire human race, were variously distributed
into provincial, national, and local governments, [3574] subject to ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xvi and now the.htm

Human Government.
... If the world ever becomes perfectly virtuous, governments will be proportionally
modified, and employed in expounding and applying the great principles of ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxi human government.htm

Governments (1 Occurrence)
... church or state.". Multi-Version Concordance Governments (1 Occurrence).
1 Corinthians 12:28 God has set some in the assembly: first ...
/g/governments.htm - 7k

Convention (1 Occurrence)
... compact, as between commanders of armies in respect to suspension of hostilities,
or between states; also, a formal agreement between governments or sovereign ...
/c/convention.htm - 7k

Helps (16 Occurrences)
... in our text, where it has been usually understood as referring to the deacons, the
following word kuberneseis, translated "governments," being explained as ...
/h/helps.htm - 12k

Gifts (144 Occurrences)
... of Tongues 2. Gifts Connected with the Ministry of Practical Service (1) Workings
of Miracles (2) Gifts of Healings (3) Ruling, Governments (4) Helps ...
/g/gifts.htm - 61k

Government (20 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The body politic governed by one authority; a state; as, the governments
of Europe. 6. (n.) Management of the limbs or body. ...
/g/government.htm - 50k

Kinds (110 Occurrences)
... has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then
miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various ...
/k/kinds.htm - 36k

Kingdom (409 Occurrences)
... Peace seems to have been maintained between the rival governments during the 17
years' reign of Rehoboam, but on the accession of his son Abijah war broke out ...
/k/kingdom.htm - 101k

Spiritual (42 Occurrences)
... of Tongues 2. Gifts Connected with the Ministry of Practical Service (1) Workings
of Miracles (2) Gifts of Healings (3) Ruling, Governments (4) Helps ...
/s/spiritual.htm - 51k

Lod (4 Occurrences)
... 2. History from Maccabean Times: The three governments of Aphaerema, Lydda and
Ramathaim were added to Judea from the country of Samaria by King Demetrius II ...
/l/lod.htm - 11k

Lydda (3 Occurrences)
... 2. History from Maccabean Times: The three governments of Aphaerema, Lydda and
Ramathaim were added to Judea from the country of Samaria by King Demetrius II ...
/l/lydda.htm - 11k

Why do governments allow churches to be tax-exempt? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about corporal punishment as practiced by governments? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian run for political office? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus