Under Caesar's Shadow: Romans 13:1-7

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities.

The letter arrived in Rome at a delicate moment.

Claudius had expelled the Jews five years earlier. Priscilla and Aquila had been among those forced out—caught up in disturbances about "Chrestus," the Roman historian would later write. Christ. The gospel had reached Rome and caused enough turmoil to trigger imperial action.

Now Claudius was dead. Nero was emperor—young, popular, not yet the monster he would become. Jews were returning to Rome. Jewish Christians reconnected with Gentile believers. The house churches were rebuilding.

And Paul wrote to them about government.

For there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

The authorities that exist. In Rome, that meant Nero. The teenage emperor. The adopted son of Claudius. The ruler of the known world.

Paul did not say the authorities were good. He said they were established by God. Even pagan authorities. Even the empire that had crucified Jesus. Established by God for his purposes.

Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

The Christians in Rome were already suspected of disloyalty. They refused emperor worship. They spoke of another king named Jesus. They met in secret gatherings. Rome was suspicious.

Paul's counsel: don't give them ammunition. Don't rebel. Don't invite judgment.

For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.

As a general principle, government restrains evil. The sword exists to punish wrongdoers. Honest citizens have less to fear from authorities than criminals do.

Paul knew this was not absolute. He had been beaten by Roman officials. He would eventually be executed by Rome. But the general principle held: government exists to maintain order, and Christians benefit from order.

For the one in authority is God's servant for your good.

God's servant. The word was diakonos—the same word for deacon, for minister. Nero, without knowing it, was God's servant. His administration of roads, laws, commerce—it served God's purposes. The Pax Romana made Paul's missionary journeys possible.

But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

The sword was real. Capital punishment. Military force. The power to coerce and execute. Rome didn't bear the sword for show—they used it.

Agents of wrath. Government restrains evil in a fallen world. The punishment of wrongdoers is one way God's wrath operates in history.

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

Two reasons for submission. Fear of punishment—pragmatic, self-interested. But also conscience—a matter of Christian conviction. Submission to government is part of Christian faithfulness, not just survival strategy.

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.

Taxes. The most concrete expression of submission. The Roman tax system was not gentle. Publicans collected for Rome and often added their own cut. Tax revolts had shaken Judea. The Zealots wanted freedom from Roman tribute.

But Paul said pay. The authorities are God's servants—even the tax collectors. Even the system that enriched Rome at provincial expense.

Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Pay what you owe. Taxes owed, pay. Revenue owed, pay. Respect to offices, give it. Honor to officials, render it.

The Roman Christians heard this letter read in their house churches. They lived in the shadow of the Palatine Hill, where emperors ruled. They walked streets patrolled by soldiers. They bought goods with coins bearing Caesar's image.

And Paul told them to be good citizens. Pay taxes. Show respect. Live at peace with the empire as far as possible.

Not because Rome was righteous—it wasn't.

Not because Nero deserved honor—he would prove otherwise.

But because God was sovereign even over Rome.

The letter would be reread many times in the years ahead—when Nero burned Christians as torches, when persecution scattered the church, when the beast of Revelation seemed to wear a Roman face.

Yet the principle remained. God establishes authorities. Christians submit as far as conscience allows. And when conscience forbids—when Caesar demands what belongs only to God—then the apostles' answer applies: we must obey God rather than men.

But until that line is crossed, pay your taxes. Show respect. Live at peace.

Under Caesar's shadow, trust in God's sovereignty.