Many “Christians” believe that Romans 13 teaches that Christians should subject themselves to whatever government they happen to live under but is that really the case? I don’t believe it is because when you compare other of the Apostle Paul’s texts and other Biblical texts, they would seem to contradict that interpretation all together.
It’s really astonishing to me that anyone would purport that we ought to obey men rather than God. Just because one group has made itself, usually by force or deception, an authority over other men doesn’t mean their authority is legitimate or that it comes from God. If that were true then anyone who called themselves Christian and disobeyed say, the Nazi government of Germany for instance, would have been in the wrong. How could it be possible to follow the commands of evil men, which are contrary to God and find favor with God for doing the same? It’s ridiculous.
I’ve posted an article on the subject, written by Paul Green, under “The Faith” tab in a sub-tab or just click Here. While I’m relatively certain that Paul and I likely have doctrinal differences in several areas, I do believe he has presented good evidence that what the Apostle Paul is conveying is not submission and or obedience to the “State” or any civil government. A little disclaimer here. Some of the texts he uses to buttress his argument, he has taken out of context and some of them don’t even apply but what he does present on the Romans 13 section and elsewhere, I believe, is right on. You can arrive at you own conclusion of course.