Power, Politics, and Paul: Romans 13 with a Twist
Today’s reading in Romans 13 begins with a line that can feel both clear and complicated: “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God” (Romans 13:1, NLT).
On the surface, this seems straightforward. Paul appears to be encouraging respect for civic leaders and compliance with laws. In a society that depended on order and structure, this would have been practical advice. But it also raises questions—what does it mean to submit when authorities are unjust, corrupt, or oppressive?
Rome Wasn’t Exactly Friendly
Paul was writing in the context of the Roman Empire, a government that maintained peace but also used violence and control. For early followers of Jesus, living under Roman rule would not have been simple. Taxes were heavy, local customs were often suppressed, and public executions served as a constant reminder of imperial power. Against that backdrop, Paul’s words can sound surprising. Why encourage submission rather than resistance?
Some readers have taken this passage to mean blind obedience to any government. Others have seen it as a reminder that order, even imperfect, is better than chaos. Still others suggest Paul may have been offering pragmatic advice to a vulnerable community, urging them not to attract unwanted attention from Roman officials. Each perspective raises its own challenges.
From Kings to Congress
History shows how these verses have been used in different ways. During times of monarchy, they were sometimes cited to support the idea that kings ruled by divine right. In more recent history, governments and religious leaders have pointed to Romans 13 to discourage protest or justify law enforcement actions. At the same time, reformers and activists have often pushed back, questioning whether submission is always the right response in the face of injustice.
The text itself seems to leave space for debate. Paul describes authorities as “God’s servants, sent for your good” (Romans 13:4, NLT). But what if authorities do not act for the good? The passage does not address this scenario directly, which leaves modern readers wrestling with its implications.
From Obedience to Love
It is also worth noting that Paul moves quickly from this teaching into another theme: “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another” (Romans 13:8, NLT). Perhaps the two are connected. Submission to authority might have been framed as part of maintaining social peace, but love becomes the greater guiding principle. Loving others would have shaped how one navigated life under Roman rule, even when circumstances were difficult.
Reading Romans 13 today, the tension remains. How do people balance respect for institutions with the responsibility to challenge injustice? Where is the line between compliance and conscience? These questions are not easily answered, and perhaps they never were. The words Paul wrote nearly two thousand years ago continue to raise questions that societies still grapple with whenever laws and morality collide.