Romans 13:1-7 is one of the most misunderstood, misinterpreted, and misused passages in the whole Bible. But read carefully, it can be mined for the ore vein of great biblical truths about “government”: its identity, its authority, its duty, and its accountability.
In the first place, Paul says that government and governing authorities are God’s servant: “For he [government] is God’s servant” (v.4).The Greek word translated as “servant” here is diakonos, from which we get the word “deacon.” Verse 6 also says, “the authorities are ministers of God.” The Greek word translated as “ministers” here is the word leitourgoi, which is a word used for priests who serve in the temple of God. Government and government authorities are God’s deacons and God’s priests!
As God’s servant in its identity, government bears God’s approval in its authority:“For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed” (vv.1-2).
This does not mean that any person in government authority, or any action by a government authority is automatically legitimized or validated by God. No. Wrong people can get into right places; and right people can do wrong things. That unfortunately happens all too often in government.
Government is identified as God’s servant, and it is authorised by God. But the question is: What is the duty of government as God’s servant? What is the duty it is authorised for?
The primary way in which government validates its identity and justifies its authority as God’s servant is when it discharges its duty of doing justice. The justice that government is meant to discharge is: (a) distributive justice; and (b) retributive justice.
Distributive justice is about seeking the common good of the people and distributing goods fairly and equally. Paul says that government is God’s servant “for your good” (v.4) and that government’s duty is about “attending to this very thing” (v.7), serving God through the just collection and distribution of goods.
Retributive good is about correcting wrongdoing and commending right-doing. Paul says that government’s duty is to act “as an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer” (v.4). He also says, “[D]o what is good, and you will receive his approval” (v.3).
Finally, implicit in the whole passage is the truth about the accountability of government. Because it is God’s servant in its identity; appointed and instituted by God in its authority; and authorised and charged by God for justice in its duty, government is ultimately answerable to God in its accountability.
Democracy talks about the accountability of government to its people; without denying that, Christianity adds that, ultimately, the accountability of government is to God. This is a part and parcel of the discipleship of the nations!