MLJ Trust Logo Image
Search
Sermon #3333

Subject to Government

A Sermon on Romans 13:1-7

Originally preached Nov. 20, 1966

Share Share on Twitter Share on Facebook
Play Sermon
btn-play
Download Sermon Add to Queue Add to Playlist

Scripture

Romans 13:1-7 ESV KJV
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to …

Read more

Sermon Description

How are Christians supposed to read the Bible? If there are many different views on what the Bible says, how are they to know the right interpretation? The answer is that they must read the Bible as one work of God. In the sermon on Romans 13:1–7 titled “Subject to Government,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares that this is because the only way to understand Scripture properly is by taking a holistic approach to everything that God has revealed. Christians should not use philosophy to create doctrine but doctrine is to come from the text. With all these things in mind, Dr. Lloyd-Jones seeks to expound the biblical view of government. He says that the submission to authorities and powers that the apostle Paul speaks of is not slavish servitude, but godly submission to the authorities that God has ordained for their good and the good of all people. In this attitude, Christians are to seek to live in peace with all those around them in a way that brings honor to Christ and his gospel. God in his providence has put magistrates in place as a means of restraining sin and evil in the world, though they are often corrupt and sinful. Nevertheless, Christians ought to strive to obey God first and foremost and to obey the government when doing so does not contradict the commands of God.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The sermon examines Romans 13:1-7 in detail. This passage discusses the Christian's relationship to governing authorities.

  2. Verse 1 commands Christians to be subject to governing authorities because there is no authority except from God. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

  3. Verse 2 says that whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.

  4. Verse 3 says that rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. If you do what is good, you will be praised. Do not be afraid of the authorities.

  5. Verse 4 says that the ruler is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because the ruler does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

  6. Verse 5 says to be subject to authorities not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

  7. Verse 6 says that is why you pay taxes, because the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.

  8. Verse 7 says to give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

  9. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that "be subject to" does not mean "obey blindly." It means to recognize authorities as having a position over you and to behave accordingly.

  10. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says "the powers that be" refers to earthly authorities, not spiritual powers. The passage is practical instruction, not a reference to spiritual warfare.

  11. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says "fear" in verse 7 refers to fearing God, not the authorities. The Bible does not tell Christians to fear human rulers.

Sermon Q&A

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones's Teaching on Romans 13:1-7: Understanding the Christian's Relationship to Government

What is the main focus of Romans 13:1-7 according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Romans 13:1-7 addresses "the most important and vital" questions concerning "the relationship of the Christian to government to the state." He explains that this passage deals with critical issues including "the power of the state," "how a Christian views the state," "capital punishment," "pacifism," the Christian's duty regarding state activities (including war), and "the relationship between church and state." Lloyd-Jones sees this as a "locus classicus" (primary authoritative passage) for several of these important questions.

What does the phrase "be subject unto the higher powers" mean in Romans 13:1?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "be subject unto" doesn't simply mean blind, mechanical obedience. The Greek word used appears 30 times in the New Testament and has its root meaning in military terminology, referring to soldiers "arranged in order under a general." Rather than mere obedience, it suggests an attitude of recognition, respect, and submission. Lloyd-Jones points to examples like Ephesians 5:21 ("submit yourselves one to another") to show that this word conveys the idea of recognizing others "as Christ's representatives" who "should have greater claims on us than we have on ourselves." It's about proper recognition of divinely established order.

Why should Christians be subject to governing authorities according to Romans 13?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines several reasons from the text: 1. "There is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God" (v.1) - All legitimate authority comes from God 2. "Whosoever resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God" (v.2) - Resisting authority means resisting God Himself 3. Those who resist will "receive to themselves damnation" or judgment (v.2) 4. "Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil" (v.3) - Good citizens have nothing to fear 5. Authorities are "the minister of God to thee for good" (v.4) - They serve a positive function 6. We already acknowledge their legitimacy through our payment of taxes (v.6)

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones interpret the "sword" mentioned in Romans 13:4?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the sword has been "the symbol of the authority of magistrates and is a sign and a symbol of the right and the authority and the power of the magistrate, ultimately to inflict capital punishment, even to take the life of a transgressor." He mentions how Roman emperors would give daggers to provincial governors as symbols of their authority, and how this tradition continues in some civic ceremonies where "somebody carries the sword in front of" the chief magistrate. This represents "this authority and power that is given by God to such authorities, if necessary, even to take life as a part of the punishment of misdeeds."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the relationship between church and state based on this passage?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out several key elements that inform the church-state relationship:

  1. The state authorities are described as "God's ministers" using two different Greek words - one emphasizing their active service and another highlighting "the solemnity and the dignity of the office" comparable to priests in the temple
  2. They are ordained by God for specific purposes - both for our good and for executing judgment
  3. Christians should honor rather than fear government authorities - "We are not told to fear men, we are not told to fear powers"
  4. We are to "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's" - distinguishing between our obligations
  5. The phrase "fear to whom fear" likely refers to God, not human authorities, as Christians are told to "fear God, honor the king" (1 Peter 2:17)

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that sound biblical understanding of these principles helps Christians navigate their relationship with government correctly.

The Book of Romans

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.