Topical Bible: Magistrates: should Subjection to Their Authority Enjoined

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In the biblical context, magistrates are civil authorities appointed to maintain order, administer justice, and uphold the law. The Scriptures provide guidance on the relationship between believers and these governing authorities, emphasizing the importance of subjection to their rule as part of a divinely ordained order.

Divine Ordination of Authority

The Bible teaches that all authority is established by God, and therefore, subjection to magistrates is an act of obedience to God Himself. In Romans 13:1-2 , the Apostle Paul writes, "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."

This passage underscores the belief that civil authorities are instituted by God to serve His purposes, and resisting them equates to resisting God's ordinance.

Purpose of Magistrates

Magistrates are seen as God's servants for the good of society. 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 magistrates as enforcers of justice, rewarding good behavior and punishing wrongdoing, thus maintaining societal order.

Obedience and Conscience

Subjection to magistrates is not merely a matter of external compliance but also involves an internal acknowledgment of their God-given role. Romans 13:5 states, "Therefore, it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment but also as a matter of conscience."

This indicates that believers are called to respect and obey civil authorities not only to avoid legal consequences but also to maintain a clear conscience before God.

Paying Taxes and Honoring Authorities

The Bible also addresses the practical aspects of subjection to magistrates, such as paying taxes and showing respect. In Romans 13:6-7 , Paul instructs, "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."

These verses affirm the responsibility of believers to support the functioning of government through financial means and to honor those in positions of authority.

Exceptions to Obedience

While the general principle is one of subjection, the Bible also acknowledges situations where obedience to God takes precedence over human authority. In Acts 5:29 , Peter and the apostles declare, "We must obey God rather than men," when commanded to cease preaching the gospel. This establishes a boundary where civil disobedience is justified when earthly laws directly contradict God's commands.

Conclusion

The biblical mandate for subjection to magistrates is rooted in the recognition of their divine appointment and role in maintaining justice and order. Believers are called to respect and obey civil authorities as an expression of their obedience to God, while also discerning when allegiance to God's higher law requires a different course of action.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 23:2,3
Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 13:1
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 Peter 2:13,14
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Counsel of Gamaliel.
... people, that their priests and magistrates were guilty ... from an ignominious and cruel
subjection to strangers ... all people, nations, and languages, should serve him ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vii the counsel of.htm

Of the Jurisdiction of the Church, and the Abuses of It, as ...
... For when emperors and magistrates began to assume the ... but also to bring the emperors
into subjection to them. ... say that a question of faith should be discussed ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 of the jurisdiction.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... Judges, and magistrates, and kings, having power in civil society ... Their punishment
was, that they should stand in a state of great subjection; through the ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

Of Civil Government.
... testify that they do not feign subjection, but are ... edicts, although those invested
with it should be most ... For when popular magistrates have been appointed to ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

Chapter i
... of this obedience with civil subjection, were distinctions ... populace, the rashness
of some magistrates and negligence ... its first success, I should conclude, from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/paley/evidences of christianity/chapter i.htm

The Abrogation of the Saybrook Platform
... Her magistrates issued the dignified and spirited address ... number of Roman Catholicks,
who should tell you ... Scotland is distinctly released from subjection to the ...
/.../chapter xi the abrogation of.htm

The Image of the Beast.
... punished; and enjoined the princes and magistrates to execute ... beast, would be an
acknowledgment of subjection to it. ... 7. Those who should refuse the mark of the ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the image of the beast.htm

Seances Historiques De Geneve --The National Church.
... re-constituting governors, laws, and magistrates, educators, and ... belongs to the English
citizen should be conceded to ... What that subjection amounts to, must be ...
/.../seances historiques de genevethe national.htm

St. Gregory the Great.
... us seem to us kinder than the magistrates of the ... descent of the Lombards, in the
subjection of the ... Anger in punishing even delinquents should not anticipate ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter v st gregory the.htm

Justinian.
... Rome refused his assent his signature should be returned ... the bishops, accustomed
to slavish subjection to their patriarchs, followed their example, and ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter iv justinian.htm