Why Christians Should Respect Those in Authority
1st The Authority of Government
Romans 13:1 ESV
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.
Titus 3:1 NLT
Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.
1 Peter 2:13-14a NIV
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors...
1 Peter 2:17 NIV
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
Romans 13:1 ESV
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.
Acts 4:18-20 NLT
So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, "Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard."
Romans 13:1 ESV
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.
Romans 13:1 ESV
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.
Jeremiah 27:6-7 ESV
Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant, and I have given him also the beasts of the field to serve him. All the nations shall serve him and his son and his grandson, until the time of his own land comes. Then many nations and great kings shall make him their slave.
Daniel 4:17 NLT
so that everyone may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world. He gives them to anyone he chooses—
Romans 13:2a ESV
Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed...
2nd The Administration of Government
1. Government punishes evil
Romans 13:2 ESV
Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist it will incur judgement.
Romans 13:3 ESV
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval
Romans 13:4b ESV
But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.
2. Government promotes good
Romans 13:4a ESV
for he is God's servant for your good.
3. Government prompts conscience
Romans 13:5 ESV
Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.
4. Government passes taxes
Romans 13:6 ESV
For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
Romans 13:4a ESV
for he is God’s servant
Romans 13:4b ESV
for he is the servant of God
Romans 13:6b ESV
for the authorities are ministers of God
Romans 13:6a ESV
For the same reason you also pay taxes...
3rd The Acknowledgment of Government
Romans 13:7 ESV
Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
1 Peter 2:17 NIV
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
1 Peter 2:13-15 ESV
For the Lord's sake, respect all human authority— whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. It is God's will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.
