Most of the time Romans 13 comes up is in discussions around civil disobedience—that is to ask when are Christians justified in disobeying the law. This text certainly has a lot to say to that but let's first see what it is saying before we see what it is not saying.
Romans 13:1-7
1 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. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 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, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. 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. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 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.
The primary statements of this paragraph are found in vv. 1, 5, and 7.
Paul directs this imperative to "every person". No one is then exempt from this imperative. Every person is to "be subject to the governing authorities". The verb "be subject" implies, not a blind obedience to every command, but a general disposition.
Right off the bat here, this is not an American value. Being told to submit doesn't does not sit well with us and we begin to think of extraordinary circumstances to justify our rebellious mindset and, sometimes, behavior. We glorify revolution and idolize those who retaliate against tyrants. But is this thinking a result of the transformed and renewed mind or is it a result of conformity to the thinking of this age? I'm not saying that there isn't a time for civil disobedience. I certainly think that there is. But Christians need to exercise great caution and wisdom, holding the situation up to the lens of Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit, before we go there. It is no small matter to violate this imperative to "be subject to the governing authorities."
The case for civil obedience (and disobedience, for that matter) is found in Paul's basis for his argument. His basis for submitting to governing authorities is ultimately found in God. Those governments and leaders ultimately have authority because God, as the sovereign authority of the universe, has given it to them. Not that they will always do what he wants, punish evil and reward good, but he has willed them to come to power when he could have done otherwise.
Since God is the ultimate authority and the governing authorities have their authority rooted in God's will we should submit to them. However, since God is the ultimate authority, we serve a higher authority in God's law. Therefore, in cases where the governing authorities are demanding Christians disobey the law of God, Christians can be justified in civil disobedience. So if our government passes a law that requires us to violate the dignity of another image bearer of God, Christians are justified in civil disobedience. Or, as is the case with Paul, if the governing officials arrest you for preaching Jesus in obedience with the command of Jesus, Christians are not obligated to comply (Acts 5:29). But, as is the case in the context at Rome during Paul's writing, high taxes is not a cause for civil disobedience. High taxes does not violate the law of God in any way so Christians are obligated to comply.
Interestingly, in v. 5 Paul makes the argument that this mindset of Christians is not merely a matter of avoiding consequences ("not only to avoid God's wrath") but as a matter of conscience. So submitting to governing authorities is not just a pragmatic thing. Some argue that Paul here tells them to submit because he knows if they cause a disturbance Rome will crush the infant Jesus movement. This is true but that is not the basis for his argument. Paul believes submitting to governing authorities should be a matter of conscience for Christians—that is it is the right thing to do.
Additional Content
In the devotional audio for today I've included snippets of a conversation between Tim Keller, Albert Mohler and John Yates about civil disobedience. This is from 2012 but I think it will be very helpful to help us clarify our thinking.
Reflection
This year has forced me, and hopefully you as well, to clarify my thinking around the relationship of the church to the state, particularly around when it it appropriate for Christians to participate in civil disobedience. In light of this text carefully consider the situations in which you are justified in civil disobedience. Also, consider what actions of civil disobedience are justifiable according to the ethic of Jesus. We should not take this lightly. The health of our soul is at stake here, as politics is an idol many in the Evangelical church are wrestling with today. Our character and our witness to the culture around us is also at stake. Think deeply on this. Search the Scripture and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.
Audio
ff to 6:28 for additional content