The concept of citizenship in the Bible encompasses the responsibilities and obligations that individuals have towards their governing authorities and fellow citizens. Scripture provides guidance on how believers are to conduct themselves as members of a society, emphasizing principles of obedience, respect, and love.

1. Obedience to Authorities: The Bible instructs believers to submit to governing authorities, recognizing their role as instituted by God for maintaining order and justice. Romans 13:1-2 states, "Everyone must submit himself 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."

2. Respect and Honor: Citizens are called to show respect and honor to those in positions of authority. This respect is not contingent on the personal character of the leaders but on their God-given role. 1 Peter 2:17 exhorts, "Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king."

3. Prayer for Leaders: Believers are encouraged to pray for their leaders and those in authority, seeking God's guidance and wisdom for them. 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."

4. Paying Taxes: The duty to pay taxes is explicitly mentioned in Scripture as part of a citizen's responsibility. Jesus Himself addressed this in Matthew 22:21 , saying, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s." Similarly, Romans 13:6-7 reinforces this duty: "This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due."

5. Promoting Peace and Welfare: Citizens are encouraged to seek the peace and prosperity of their communities. Jeremiah 29:7 advises, "Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper."

6. Love and Service: The overarching duty of a citizen is to love and serve others, reflecting the love of Christ. Galatians 5:13-14 reminds believers, "For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

7. Advocacy for Justice: While submission to authority is emphasized, the Bible also calls for justice and righteousness. Believers are to stand against injustice and advocate for the oppressed. Proverbs 31:8-9 instructs, "Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the justice of all the dispossessed. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy."

In summary, the duties of citizens according to the Bible involve a balance of submission to authority, active participation in the welfare of the community, and a commitment to love and justice. These principles guide believers in their conduct as responsible and faithful members of society.Exodus 22:28
You shall not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of your people.
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Numbers 27:20
And you shall put some of your honor on him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
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Ezra 6:10
That they may offer sacrifices of sweet smells to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
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Ezra 7:26
And whoever will not do the law of your God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily on him, whether it be to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
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Ezra 10:8
And that whoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.
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Proverbs 16:14,15
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
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Proverbs 24:21
My son, fear you the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
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Proverbs 25:6,7,15
Put not forth yourself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
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Ecclesiastes 8:2-4
I counsel you to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
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Ecclesiastes 10:4,20
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses.
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Jeremiah 29:7
And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray to the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall you have peace.
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Matthew 17:24-27
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Does not your master pay tribute?
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Matthew 22:17-21
Tell us therefore, What think you? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
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Mark 12:14-17
And when they were come, they say to him, Master, we know that you are true, and care for no man: for you regard not the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
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Luke 20:22-25
Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or no?
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Acts 19:35-41
And when the town cleark had appeased the people, he said, You men of Ephesus, what man is there that knows not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
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Acts 23:5
Then said Paul, I knew not, brothers, that he was the high priest: for it is written, You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people.
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Romans 13:1-3,5-7
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.
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1 Timothy 2:1,2
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
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Titus 3:1
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
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1 Peter 2:13-17
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
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Whether There Should be Different Duties or States in the Church?
... when the citizens seek each man his own. Besides, the peace both of mind and of
an earthly commonwealth is the better preserved by a distinction of duties and ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there should be different.htm

Obstinancy of Theophilus. Enmity Between the Egyptians and the ...
... and of Egypt sided with them, and were opposed by the citizens of Constantinople. ...
officiate as a priest, confer ordination, and perform all the duties of the ...
/.../chapter xix obstinancy of theophilus enmity.htm

The Freedom of the City.
... We, as citizens of Heaven, though exiles here in earth, have certain duties and
responsibilities laid upon us; if we fail to perform them, we lose our position ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lviii the freedom of.htm

Chapter eleven
... We have avoided the sacred duties of citizenship either ignorantly or selfishly. ...
The citizens of Raymond will never forget that meeting. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter eleven.htm

Letter cxxxvi. (AD 412. )
... Another objection which he stated was, that the Christian doctrine and preaching
were in no way consistent with the duties and rights of citizens; because, to ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxxvi a d 412.htm

Covenant Duties.
... the exercise of Covenanting, a strengthening of engagements to duties specified,
when ... Others, who are denominated citizens, hated him, and sent a message after ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

See Where we were when the Republic Arose: Happy was it that the ...
... And what is it that makes citizens? Two things,"the sentiment of their rights,
and the sentiment of their duties as a republican People. ...
/.../lamartine/atheism among the people/xvi see where we were.htm

The Kingdom of God and Your Part in It
... You have been taught in your schools of your duties as citizens; but you are taught
in this Book just as plainly your duties as Christian citizens. ...
/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/vi the kingdom of god.htm

The Siege. (xxi, xxxii-xxxiv, xxxvii, xxxviii. )
... Calvin is right, when, after a careful reservation of the duties of private citizens
to their government at war, he pronounces that "Jeremiah could not have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 the siege xxi xxxii-xxxiv.htm

A Life for a Life
... You have been taught in school of your duties as citizens, but you are taught
in this book very plainly your duties as Christian citizens. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/a life for a life/a life for a life.htm

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