Rom 13:1-2 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rom 13:1-2: 13:1-2 The basic command of 13:1-7 is to submit to governing authorities . In God’s ordering of the world, we answer to those in positions of authority . Our submission to them will usually take the form of obedience. However, because God stands over all governments, our submission to governing authorities must always be in terms of our ultimate submission to God (see Acts 4:19-20 ). The Roman Christians might have been resisting government (see study note on Rom 13:6) based on a false understanding of the Good News, as if no longer copying “the behavior and customs of this world” (12:2 ) meant that they could ignore earthly institutions. • placed there by God: Scripture consistently teaches that God is actively involved in raising up and casting down human governments and leaders (1 Sam 2:6-10 ; 12:8 ; Prov 8:15-16 ; Isa 41:2-4 ; 45:1-7 ; Jer 21:7 , 10 ; 27:5-6 ; Dan 2:21 , 37-38 ; 4:17 ). God instituted governing authorities, so rebelling against them is rebelling against God, who will respond with judgment (Rom 13:2 ).

a13:1-2►

b13:1-7►

cActs 4:19-20►

d12:2►

e1 Sam 2:6-10►

f12:8►

gProv 8:15-16►

hIsa 41:2-4►

i45:1-7►

jJer 21:7►

k10►

l27:5-6►

mDan 2:21►

n37-38►

o4:17►

pRom 13:2►

‏ Romans 13:1-2

Summary for Rom 13:1-2: 13:1-2 ^a The basic command of 13:1-7 ^b is to submit to governing authorities. In God’s ordering of the world, we answer to those in positions of authority. Our submission to them will usually take the form of obedience. However, because God stands over all governments, our submission to governing authorities must always be in terms of our ultimate submission to God (see Acts 4:19-20 ^c). The Roman Christians might have been resisting government (see study note on Rom 13:6) based on a false understanding of the Good News, as if no longer copying “the behavior and customs of this world” (12:2 ^d) meant that they could ignore earthly institutions.

• placed there by God: Scripture consistently teaches that God is actively involved in raising up and casting down human governments and leaders (1 Sam 2:6-10 ^e; 12:8 ^f; Prov 8:15-16 ^g; Isa 41:2-4 ^h; 45:1-7 ⁱ; Jer 21:7 ^j, 10 ^k; 27:5-6 ^l; Dan 2:21 ^m, 37-38 ⁿ; 4:17 ^o). God instituted governing authorities, so rebelling against them is rebelling against God, who will respond with judgment (Rom 13:2 ^p).