Romans 13:2
ESV
Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
NIV
Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
NASB
Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
CSB
So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.
NLT
So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
KJV
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
NKJV
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
What does Romans 13:2 mean?
Paul has spelled out the Christian doctrine of submission to human authorities, including government authorities. The bottom line is that those in Christ should understand every authority to have been placed in his or her position by God Himself and for God's purposes. Christ's kingdom may not be of this world (John 18:36), but that does not mean believers have license to disobey earthly authority for any reason (1 Peter 2:13–17). Only when commanded by government to disobey God are Christians obligated to disobey the government, instead, and accept the consequences (Acts 5:27–29).Paul now begins to put together the pieces of what that means. Anyone who resists someone in authority is, in truth, resisting God's work. In general terms, human government is one of the ways God restrains the influence of evil in the world (2 Thessalonians 2:7). Resistance to that system will result in judgment. It's not clear if Paul has in mind judgment from the government or judgment from God. Both are possible.
Paul left little room for Christians to tell themselves that they were free to resist human authorities because their first loyalty was to the kingdom of heaven. Those loyal to Christ are specifically instructed to be submissive to human government. Generally, then, civil disobedience is only allowed when a Christian is being asked to sin, disobey God, or act in some ungodly way.
Romans 13:1–7 describes the responsibility for Christians to live in submission to the human authorities in government. The reason given is that every government leader has ultimately been established by God for His own purposes. Generally speaking, human government serves to rein in and punish those who do evil. Governments do this on God's behalf. Christians must pay their taxes to support this work God is doing. In addition, those in Christ owe respect and honor to the authorities that God has put in place. Other Scriptures, such as Acts 5:27–29, distinguish between ''submission'' and ''obedience.''
Romans 13 tackles three big areas that living-sacrifice Christians must address. First, since God puts every human authority in place to serve His purposes, Christians must submit to them; this idea comes with a particular context. Second, we must love our neighbors as ourselves. Third, we are called to live as people of the light and throw off works of darkness like drunkenness, sexual immorality, and jealousy. We are to take on the armor of light against the darkness and, in fact, take on Christ Himself instead of serving our own desires.
