Context

Re:Verse passage – Romans 13:1-7 (day four)

I think it’s important that we read this section of subjection to government in the greater context of Paul’s argument. At the end of chapter 12, Paul discourages us from seeking our own revenge and repaying evil for evil. Straight from that thought, Paul mentions government, seemingly to say that God uses earthly authorities as one way to carry out his justice on the earth. Justice is ultimately in the hands of God, and we can trust him to enact that justice in his perfect timing.

But later in chapter 13, before we would ascribe too much hope or power to government, Paul tells his readers to wake up! Rather than spin our wheels in earthly conflicts and disputes, or throwing ourselves into earthly structures that will not last, we should be sober and look alert – the Day of the Lord is near! “The night is almost gone, and the day is near,” when these earthly things will pass away and the perfect government of the Kingdom of God will reign.

Keep government in its proper place in your life, and look expectantly for the One coming to make all things right.