Christians’ responsibility to the government

Abstract

This study seeks to find out the original meaning of Romans 13:1–7 in context as it pertains to the issues of Christians’ submission to state authority. It specifically seeks to arrive at conclusions that will remove ambiguity from the understanding of a couple of phrases within the text, that seem unclear and problematic to understand and apply rightly without proper study. They include, for example, οὐ γὰρ ἔστιν ἐξουσία εἰ μὴ ὑπὸ θεοῦ, αἱ δὲ οὖσαι ὑπὸ θεοῦ τεταγμέναι εἰσίν (Rom 13:1) “for there is no authority except from God, and the existing authorities are (literally, ‘have been’) appointed by God.” The aim is to arrive at a place where the African Christian will have a clear conscience before God in his/her dealing with the state, through a proper understanding and practice of his/her responsibility to the government. The findings have shown that the text is speaking about the Roman government authorities—the institution of government and individual leaders that had been put in place by God at that time. The submission commanded here is that of attitude, recognizing that the institution of government is ordained by God and the holders of those positions are His servants, and as such, voluntarily placing oneself under them. Though the text is not explicit in addressing if and when believers should resist, it neither commands unquestioning submission to specific requirements from the leaders. Since government is ordained by God, it is under him and the submission to it goes only as far as is consistent with God’s holistic will. This is also the case considering the biblical-theological context. The lesson drawn is that Christians should not see government as evil and naturally against God, but as God’s institution with a purpose for the good of the society. The Christians are, to support the government in all relevant ways and obey the leaders as far as they are doing what is right in God’s sight