Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. - Romans 13:1-7

 

"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God" - Romans 13:1

These verses can be a bit perplexing, especially given the immoral state of our current government. The idea that a corrupt government has been ordained by an unblemished God can be confusing, yet if we look at the following verses closely, there are some key elements that will give us insight into whom Paul is speaking of. Before we move on, there are a couple things I want to point out, First, "Let every soul" is all-inclusive. This means no soul, whether a king (Deut. 17:18-20), president, or self-declaring sovereign citizen, is exempt from being in subjection to the ordinance of God. As the saying goes, "nobody is above the law". Second, "governing authorities" isn't mere government, but the word authorities, according to the Greek word used here, are those who have the "power to act".

"Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves." - Romans 13:2

"The ordinance of God". An ordinance in this case is something God has decreed. I.e., God's law. Your local government may have what are called city ordinances that you must follow or suffer the consequences. Likewise, Paul is saying here that those who oppose that which God has decreed, "will receive condemnation upon themselves."

"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same" - Romans 13:2.

We know by this verse that the governing authorities Paul has in mind are in alignment with good, not evil. We also know by this verse that those who keep the ordinance of God have no reason to fear them, but actually may find themselves commended by them. So who does Paul have in mind then? I think the following verse gives some insight into that.

"For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil" - Romans 13:4.

Who is in authority and bears a sword, or in modern times, bears arms, that, if you do evil, you should be afraid of? Armed forces, A.K.A., Military; Law Enforcement. In some countries, they are known as ministers of justice. Though I believe those laboring for good throughout the entire justice system are within scope here. It's no surprise that those who do evil would hate them, for such authority represents the light and are sent by God to enforce the law and uphold justice. Therefore, those who oppose will indeed find themselves receiving "condemnation upon themselves" (v2).

"Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake" - Romans 13:5

Paul here gives two solid reasons for obeying them. One, so you don't incur their wrath. The fact is, if you are going to go up against armed forces, you are going to find yourself on the receiving end of those who have the authority to enforce the law by any means necessary, from due process to lethal force. Two, for your own conscience's sake. In addition to the outward enforcement is our inner enforcement, our own conscience can either accuse or defend us on an internal level. One who does evil should not only fear law enforcement, by they also have to contend with their own conscience within them.

For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. - Romans 13:6

One of the few taxes I gladly pay is that which goes to our military and law enforcement agencies. Why? Because they minister to us, all of us, they protect those who obey, and they are even a blessing to those who do not. Scripture says, "Spare the rod, spoil the child". Sometimes, what a person needs the most is the rod, but not with the intent of destruction, but preservation. "For they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing". Do you know that military personnel and law enforcement officers are never off duty? Whether they are on or off the clock, that which they are ordained to do follows with them wherever they go. Some countries, like the United States, may actually hold off-duty officers accountable for inaction in some situations. But having personally worked with these guys, I know that they willfully carry their deputization at all times, and for that, we should be very grateful and bestow on them the honor due them.

Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. - Romans 13:7

Paul is exhorting us to therefore pay our taxes, for just as a laborer is worthy of their wages (1 Tim. 5:18), those ordained by God are worthy of our support. Not only financially, but in recognition of people who risk their lives for you...willingly. We should therefore heap on them respect and honor. You get to live your life, because God has appointed these men and women who risk theirs for your sake...even for those who, instead of fearing them, insult, mock, assault, and oppose those who were appointed for their benefit.