Romans 13:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Everywhere he strives to impress this upon us, namely, that we do not bestow obedience on authorities as a gift, but fulfill a duty. By such instructions the Apostle both urged the faithful to obedience and disposed unbelieving rulers favorably toward Christian piety. For at that time a rumor spread everywhere accusing the Apostles of rebellion and innovations. It also claimed that by word and deed they were trying to undermine all public laws. But by proving that our common Master commands all to observe these laws, one can stop the mouths of slanderers who accuse us of innovations, and defend the true teaching with greater boldness. Therefore, says the Apostle, do not be ashamed of such obedience. God gave this law, and He sternly avenges those who violate it. If you disobey Him, He will punish you, not with an incidental punishment, but with the strictest one. No excuses will save you. You will also suffer the harshest punishment from men, because no one will defend you, and you will greatly anger God. This is what the Apostle impresses upon us when he says, “Those who resist will receive sin upon themselves.”

For “there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” They are not given, but appointed, and “whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God.” So also here, although the devil says that he gives authority, he nevertheless does not deny that this has been permitted to him for a time. The One who established authority permitted him this for a time. Authority is not evil, but the one who uses authority for evil is evil.

Whence comes such inequality and subordination among men? “There is no authority except from God.” God, who gave man dominion over the whole earth and over all the animals upon it (Gen 1:28), afterward gave the husband dominion over the wife (Gen 3:16), and parents authority over children. If someone asks about the origin of the authority of a leader, we shall remind him of the divine election of Moses. If someone wishes to know whence judges come, let him read about the calling of Gideon and Samuel. The history of the election and anointing of Saul and David will make clear whence royal authority appeared. Truly, “there is no authority except from God.” But some may say that all these authorities were established for former times, especially pre-Christian times, “until the time of reformation,” as sectarians like to say, abusing the expression of Heb 9:10. But the Apostle speaks precisely against this: “The authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Not those that existed formerly, but those contemporary with the Apostle, existing in his own time. The authorities meant are those of the Roman Caesar, and the rulers and judges, such as proconsuls and praetors, appointed by Caesar. But someone will say: I obey God alone and recognize and allow no other authorities over myself. Or: I am a member of the Kingdom of Christ and do not wish to know the kingdom of man. Or: I cannot serve two masters. To this the Apostle also answers: “Whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will receive sin upon themselves,” that is, in Russian, will bring condemnation upon themselves. If this is so, then obviously the one who obeys authority properly obeys God, fulfills His ordinance, honors His authority, and observes the law of His kingdom. He does not betray Him in order to serve another master. Therefore he does not bring condemnation upon himself. On the contrary, he receives a reward as one who honors and fulfills the will of God. But why are earthly authorities needed if heavenly, divine authority exists?

Yet the Apostle does not say this directly in such words: ‘Whoever obeys authority obeys God.’ Instead, he inspires fear by the opposite and confirms the same thing with greater force, saying: whoever does not obey the ruler resists God, who has ordained authorities. As everywhere, he strives to impress upon us that obedience to authority is not some voluntary concession on our part, but our duty. By such instructions the Apostle both urged the faithful to obedience and disposed unbelieving rulers favorably toward Christian piety. At that time the rumor was spread everywhere that the Apostles were rebels and innovators, striving by word and deed to undermine public institutions. But by proving that our common Master commands all His worshipers to observe these institutions, one can stop the mouths of slanderers who accuse us of innovation, and defend the true teaching with greater boldness. Therefore, says the Apostle, do not be ashamed of subjection. God gave this law and sternly avenges those who despise it. If you disobey, He will punish you, and not lightly, but most severely. No excuses will save you. On the contrary, you will suffer the harshest punishment from men also, because no one will defend you, and you will greatly anger God. This is what the Apostle impresses upon us when he says, ‘Those who resist will receive sin upon themselves’” (Saint Chrysostom). “They will receive sin,” κρίμα λήμψονται, means they will receive κρίμα, condemnation and the punishment that follows from it, for it signifies both.