Romans 13 in a Constitutional Republic

Romans 13 is often referenced in conversations surrounding submitting to government. But how does Romans 13 apply when our government is not a monarchy but a constitutional republic?

Romans 13 makes a couple things clear. Government has a specific responsibility before God to be a minister for good by punishing evil. Romans 13:3 says “rulers are not a terror to good works but to the evil.”

In the American government system, the ultimate authority, the “ruler,” is the U.S. Constitution. The enforcer of that Constitution is the people – each and every one of us. We are responsible to keep our government of elected representatives in line with that “ruler.”

Romans 13 says “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.” This means that even the government officials are subject to “higher powers.” In America, the “higher powers” are the Constitution and the people.

According to Romans 13, government’s only responsibility is to punish evil. When government steps outside of this authority, the people and especially God’s people have a responsibility to stand up and hold government to their God-given boundaries.

As self-governing citizens, we take part in government by “being ministers of good” and fulfilling our God-given responsibility to hold the government accountable to the Constitution.

God is the one who established government and set the boundaries for it. Citizens of a free society have a duty to keep their government within these boundaries.

Thanks to @themiamoment for writing and sharing this with us!