Topical Bible: Government: Constitutes

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In the biblical context, the concept of government is deeply rooted in the divine order and the establishment of authority as ordained by God. The Scriptures provide a framework for understanding the role and function of government, emphasizing its divine institution and purpose in maintaining order, justice, and righteousness.

Divine Ordination of Government

The Bible clearly articulates that government is instituted by God. In Romans 13:1-2 , the Apostle Paul writes, "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 all governing authorities derive their power from God and are established to fulfill His purposes.

Purpose and Function of Government

The primary purpose of government, as outlined in Scripture, is to promote justice and restrain evil. Romans 13:3-4 states, "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 for your 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." Here, the government is depicted as God's servant, tasked with rewarding good behavior and punishing wrongdoing, thereby maintaining societal order.

Government and Justice

The Bible places a strong emphasis on justice as a fundamental aspect of government. Proverbs 29:4 declares, "By justice a king gives stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it." This highlights the importance of just leadership in ensuring the stability and prosperity of a nation. Furthermore, Micah 6:8 calls for individuals and leaders alike to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God," indicating that justice is a divine expectation for all, including those in positions of authority.

The Role of Leaders

Biblical narratives often illustrate the responsibilities and challenges faced by leaders. In the Old Testament, leaders such as Moses, David, and Solomon were chosen by God to guide His people. Their accounts reveal the importance of wisdom, humility, and obedience to God's commands in governance. Solomon, for instance, is renowned for his wisdom, which he sought from God to govern effectively (1 Kings 3:9-12).

Submission to Authority

The New Testament encourages believers to submit to governing 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 evildoers and praise well-doers." This submission is not blind allegiance but is rooted in the recognition of God's sovereignty over all earthly powers.

Limits of Government Authority

While the Bible advocates for respect and submission to government, it also acknowledges the limits of governmental authority, especially when it conflicts with God's commands. Acts 5:29 records the apostles' response to the Sanhedrin: "We must obey God rather than men." This principle establishes that allegiance to God takes precedence over human authority when the two are in conflict.

Prayer for Leaders

Scripture encourages believers to pray for those in authority. 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 to seek divine guidance and wisdom for those who govern.

In summary, the Bible presents government as a divinely instituted authority with the purpose of promoting justice, maintaining order, and serving the common good. Believers are called to respect and pray for their leaders while recognizing the ultimate authority of God over all human institutions.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 21:23
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority do you these things? and who gave you this authority?
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Matthew 26:3-5,57-68
Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, to the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
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Matthew 27:1,2
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
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Mark 8:31
And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
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Mark 14:43-65
And immediately, while he yet spoke, comes Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
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Mark 15:1
And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
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Luke 22:52-71
Then Jesus said to the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be you come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
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Acts 4:1-21
And as they spoke to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came on them,
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Acts 6:9-15
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
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Acts 7:1-59
Then said the high priest, Are these things so?
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Library

Contents. Lecture I.
... LECTURE XIX. SANCTIONS OF MORAL LAW. What constitutes the sanctions of law. ... LECTURE
XX. HUMAN GOVERNMENT. Me ultimate end of God in Creation. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/contents lecture i.htm

Whether all Things are Subject to the Divine Government?
... is found in those things proves that they are subject to government of some ... So nothing
would happen unintentionally; which constitutes the nature of chance. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether all things are subject.htm

Sanctions of Moral Law, Natural and Governmental.
... founded in ignorance or disregard of a universal principle of government, viz.,
that ... It is the design which constitutes the moral character of the action, and ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xix sanctions of moral.htm

Evil Cannot be Suppressed by the Physical Force of the Government ...
... of the champions of the state, that if the power of government were suppressed ...
attainment of truth and its realization in life, and which constitutes the only ...
/.../tolstoy/the kingdom of god is within you/chapter x evil cannot be.htm

The Lost Sheep.
... this its immediate object, it strikes also a chord which runs through the
centre"constitutes, as it were, the medulla of the divine government in all places ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xxii the lost sheep.htm

Index.
... Atonement, 258-Principles of government, 258-Justice, retributive and public, 259,
265 ... term, 261-Teachings of reason, 261-Fact of, 266-What constitutes it, 270 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/index 2.htm

1 John iv. 9-10
... In the laws of this moral government, the connection of sin with misery as the ... This
it is which constitutes the turning point in the relation of man to God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john iv 10-sep.htm

The Common Conception among the Dregs of Darwinian Culture is that ...
... Preferring impersonal government, with its dogmas and definitions, is called
Republicanism ... in such peculiar perils the need for promptitude constitutes the need ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 15 the common conception.htm

Enrollment by Households in Egypt
... and methodically Augustus organized his splendid machinery of government on the ... of
the Ptolemaic papyri about Household-Enrollment " constitutes an argument ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 7 enrollment by households.htm

The Reformation. Protestantism and Romanism.
... The former constitutes the great body of nominal Protestantism, and is the subject ...
proceeded or seceded from them, mostly on questions of government or minor ...
/.../ 37 the reformation protestantism.htm