What does it mean that all authority comes from God (Romans 13:1)?

The Bible teaches believers to be law-abiding citizens, to avoid civil disputes, and to show respect for all people in positions of authority. In Romans 13:1–14, the apostle Paul refers chiefly to the Christian’s attitude toward human governing authorities: “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished” (verses 1–2, NLT).

All authority comes from God means that God is the One who establishes and ordains civil government. The original Greek word (exousia), translated as “authority” in Romans 13:1, refers to the authority exerted by government officials. Christians are called to recognize, respect, and submit to public officials as the Lord’s appointed servants to restrain evil, punish the disobedient, and carry out God’s righteous will in society.

The apostle Peter echoes the command: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:13–17).

A proper, godly response to authority is our Christian witness to the world. When believers obey the law and show respect for government officials, their conduct reflects the example of Jesus Christ. When He was arrested, on trial, and during His crucifixion, Jesus was submissive to the authorities (see Matthew 26:47–56; 27:11–44; John 18:1–14, 28–19:30).

In the Old Testament, God was viewed as the ultimate ruling authority over all human governments: “He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings” (Daniel 2:21, NLT see also Daniel 4:17; 5:18–21). God raises leaders and brings others down (see Psalm 75:6–7). Knowing that all authority comes from God should motivate godly leaders to exercise their ruling power responsibly (Matthew 20:25–28; 2 Corinthians 10:8; 13:10).

All authority comes from God means that obeying the law, paying taxes, and respecting our leaders is not optional for Christians. If we reject and rebel against human authority, we are rebelling against God. And Scripture says if we do this, He will punish us (Romans 13:2).

All authority comes from God does not mean blind, unreasoning obedience. The believer’s allegiance is first and foremost to God (see Exodus 1:17; Daniel 3:10–12). Suppose submission to a human authority will cause us to disobey God and His Word. In that case, we are to follow the example of Peter and the apostles: “We must obey God rather than any human authority” (Acts 5:29, NLT).

The highest authority belongs to God, who does as He pleases (Psalm 115:3). He rules over angels, demons, and all the unseen forces of the spiritual realm (Psalm 91:11; Luke 4:10; Ephesians 6:10–24). He is the sovereign head of the church: “God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church” (Ephesians 1:22, NLT, see also Ephesians 4:15; 5:22–23; Colossians 1:18; 3:18). God ordains spiritual leaders in the church and calls believers to “submit to their authority” (Hebrews 13:17; see also 1 Corinthians 16:15–16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13) and to “one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21).

God also established the hierarchy of authority in the home and family, between husbands and wives and parents and children (see Genesis 18:19; Proverbs 6:20; Joshua 24:15; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23; 6:1–4; Colossians 3:20; 1 Timothy 3:4, 12). Likewise, God is the Master over all earthly bosses (Colossians 4:1), and therefore Christians must respect those in authority in the workplace (Ephesians 6:5–9; Colossians 3:22–24; 1 Timothy 6:1–2; Titus 2:9–10; 1 Peter 2:18–21). Ultimately, all authority comes from God, the almighty Creator of everything (2 Chronicles 20:6; Acts 17:24–28; Romans 9:19–21).