This excerpt comes from Chapter 17, Government, Politics, And Citizenship, The Bible I Never Knew: A Closer Look at Christianity’s Main Themes. (Dr. Peter Bylsma, Byblio Press, 2024). The chapter summarizes the Bible’s stories and teachings related to government, politics, and citizenship and the related themes of laws, taxes, submitting to authority, nationalism, patriotism, and freedom.

The Bible teaches a number of principles related to government authority and power. The first principle is that God is the supreme authority. The Old Testament has many verses that say God is sovereign over the kings on Earth (Prov 8:15–16; Isa 9:6–7, 45:1; Dan 2:21,37; 4:17; 5:21; Job 12:23). The Psalms say, “It’s God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another” (Psa 75:7) and “Kingship belongs to the Lord, who rules over the nations” (Psa 22:28). Jesus claimed to have authority over govern­ments and told Pilate, “You would have no authority over me if it hadn’t been given to you from above” (John 19:11). Just before Jesus left the earth, he told the 11 disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt 28:18).

As the supreme authority, God establishes and delegates authority to human governments to maintain peace and order as they restrain evil and avert anarchy. “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings” (Dan 2:21). The Israelite leaders then delegated authority to levels closer to the people. For example, God had Moses appoint judges and officers in all the towns who were to judge the people with righteousness (Deut 16:18–20); King Solo­mon appointed 12 district governors over all Israel who supplied provisions for the king and the royal household (1Ki 4:7). Other verses apply to this principle (Dan 2:37–38, John 19:11, Rom 12:19). Several other principles related to government are described in Romans 13, the Bible’s most complete description of the role of government. Paul’s letter was sent to believers in Rome who feared persecution. They didn’t like the Roman rule, but Paul told them to submit to it.

Everyone should submit themselves to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except what God has established. Those who rebel against their authority are rebelling against what God has instituted, and they bring judgment on themselves. For rulers don’t threaten those who do right, but those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of those in authority? Then do what is right and you will be thanked. For those in authority are God’s servants for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers don’t bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on wrongdoers. So you should submit to the authorities, not only because you might be punished if you don’t, but as a matter of conscience. This means you should pay your taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants who work full-time in their governing. (Rom 13:1–6)

This passage leads to the next principle: we are to submit to govern­ment authorities. Since governments are authorized and ordained by God to function for the good of society, we are to obey its rules. This means paying our taxes, following laws and regulations, and being good citizens. Those who resist authority are opposing God and may be punished. A law-abiding society benefits all people. Paul used the Roman system of justice to help him share the gospel in the Mediterranean region. Jeremiah 29:7 says, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” Since governments provide benefits to society, it would be hypo­critical to receive the benefits without paying for them. Without taxes, a government collapses and society is left in anarchy.

The “sword” Paul refers to doesn’t mean leaders had the power to kill people — only Romans in the military could do this. Rather, it represents the general right the government has to punish those who break the law, which can include the death penalty. Paul may have been warning the Christians in Rome not to be rebellious — if they were, they would probably be killed. The best way to create change is to work within the system rather than to try to overthrow it, especially when the odds are stacked against you. Submission can be an act of self-preservation.

Other New Testament passages stressed the need for Christians to obey the government. Paul told Titus to have people in his con­gregation obey the secular leaders (Tit 3:1), and he told Timothy to have his congregation pray for them (1Tim 2:1–2). Peter’s first letter told Christians to submit to human authorities:

• Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to gover­nors, who are sent by God to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it’s God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but don’t use your freedom to cover up evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love other believers, fear God, and honor the emperor. (1Pet 2:13–17)

Finally, while human governments have God-given authority, God doesn’t approve of everything they do. Peter referred to Pontius Pilate as one of many “godless men” (Acts 2:23, 4:27) but Jesus affirmed Pilate’s authority (John 19:11). In other words, God allows things to happen but doesn’t necessarily direct or cause them to happen. The Bible doesn’t recommend any form of government, and many governmental structures are mentioned in the scriptures. But they are all created to promote peace, safety, and justice.