Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities

[tonychanyt]

Romans 13:

1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

When Paul wrote the above, Nero was the Emperor. Did God establish Nero?

God did in his sovereignty by his almighty hand use Nero to test the Christians.

John 19:

11a Jesus answered him [Pilate], “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above."

We can balance this with Luke 20:

25 He [Jesus] said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

What happened when the authorities diverged from God's commandments?

Acts 4:

19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!

On balance, each of us obeys God, not man.

Bottom line: Romans 12:

18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Let the Paraclete guide you in your conscience about what you should do in every life circumstance.

 

[Offline4Better.]

Romans 13:


John 19:


The above needs to be balanced by some other verses.

Luke 20:


What happens when the authorities diverge from God?

Acts 4:


On balance, Romans 12:


Let the Paraclete guide you in your conscience about what you should do in every circumstance of life.

You summed this one up perfectly. I was gonna mention that even Jesus told us to respect the government (the verse about Caesar, but you already put it in your post), even if we may not like to.