Honoring Those Who Serve: A Romans 13 Vision for Church and State

Romans 13:1–7 presents one of Scripture’s clearest teachings about the place of civil government in God’s ordering of the world. Paul writes that “there is no authority except that which God has established” and that governing officials are “God’s servants to do you good” (Romans 13:1, 4). While governments and public servants are never perfect, Scripture calls believers to recognize the divine purpose behind earthly authority: to restrain evil, promote justice, commend what is right, and create stable conditions in which the people of God can live out their mission faithfully. This truth provides the foundation for honoring those who serve in positions of public responsibility—police officers, firefighters, judges, public administrators, elected officials, military personnel, and countless others who stand between society and chaos.

Throughout the Bible, believers are encouraged to pray for those in authority, show proper respect, and live peaceful and orderly lives so that the church may pursue its calling without constant disruption (1 Timothy 2:1–4). These passages envision a world in which the civic sphere performs the necessary work of maintaining order while the church focuses on the proclamation of the gospel, discipleship, compassion, and service. When public servants carry out their duties with integrity, courage, and self-sacrifice, they participate—knowingly or not—in a ministry of common grace that allows believers to fulfill the Great Commission. This essay explores how church and state, though distinct in role and purpose, can work in harmony under God’s design, and why honoring those who serve is both biblical and wise.

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Words: 2656 / Time to read: 14 minutes / Audio Podcast: 28 Minutes

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Historical and Cultural Background

Paul wrote Romans during the rule of the Roman Empire, a government known for both order and oppression. Yet in Romans 13:1–7 he offers a sweeping declaration that governing authorities, even imperfect ones, serve a purpose in God’s providence. Civil rulers “hold no terror for those who do right” and are described as “God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer” (Romans 13:3–4). In the first-century world, these statements carried weight because the Empire’s justice system—though flawed—provided stability, roads, legal frameworks, and protections that allowed early Christians to travel, gather, and spread the gospel across regions. Paul himself benefited from the legal rights of Roman citizenship (Acts 22:25–29) and the protection of Roman soldiers when threatened by hostile crowds (Acts 23:12–24). This background helps readers understand that Romans 13 does not idealize government; it recognizes that even flawed institutions can be instruments of God’s preserving care.

In the larger biblical context, Israel’s story reflects the importance of just leadership and ordered authority. Proverbs teaches that “by justice a king gives a country stability” (Proverbs 29:4) and that when righteous leadership thrives, “the people rejoice” (Proverbs 29:2). These truths hold whether leadership is found in ancient monarchies or modern civic structures. In Jeremiah’s day, God told exiles in Babylon to “seek the peace and prosperity of the city” where they lived and to pray for it, “because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7). This posture reflects a biblical pattern in which God’s people contribute to and benefit from civic peace, recognizing that ordered societies make room for worship, service, and spiritual mission. Such a perspective grounds modern believers’ appreciation for those who maintain public order.

Throughout Scripture, citizens are encouraged to respect and support governing authorities not because rulers are beyond criticism but because God uses their work to restrain evil in a fallen world. Peter wrote to scattered believers facing uncertainty and persecution, urging them to “submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority” (1 Peter 2:13). His instruction was rooted not in blind trust but in the understanding that governors were sent “to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right” (1 Peter 2:14). This connection between justice and order provides the backdrop for honoring today’s public servants—men and women who daily carry out these functions on behalf of society.

The cultural environment of the early church also reveals that believers lived with dual citizenship. They belonged to the kingdom of God while residing under earthly governments that varied in justice and virtue. Paul and Peter encouraged Christians to live honorably within these structures, echoing Jesus’ teaching to “give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17). This balanced posture remains instructive today. Believers can honor public servants, participate responsibly in civic life, and support institutions that uphold peace and justice while maintaining full allegiance to Christ as Lord. Romans 13 does not diminish the church’s mission; it provides a stable environment in which that mission can flourish.

Biblical Narrative

The Bible provides rich examples of God using public servants—both believers and unbelievers—to maintain order, administer justice, and protect His people. Joseph stands as a striking example. Elevated to a high administrative post in Egypt, he used governmental authority to store grain during years of plenty and to distribute it wisely during famine (Genesis 41:48–49; 41:53–57). Joseph’s work preserved countless lives, including the family through whom God would bring forth the Messiah (Genesis 45:7). His story shows how a faithful believer can serve within a secular institution and how God can use governmental structures to accomplish His purposes.

Daniel and his friends also held significant public roles in Babylon and Persia. They excelled in their responsibilities, earning respect for their wisdom and integrity (Daniel 1:19–20; 6:3). They honored the kings they served and upheld civic order, yet they remained steadfast in obedience to God when commands violated His law (Daniel 3:16–18; 6:10). Their stories illustrate the biblical balance between loyalty and reverence, showing that faithful public service and uncompromising devotion to God are not mutually exclusive. Their example parallels the courage and integrity required of modern public servants who must act with justice, fairness, and humility in demanding roles.

In the New Testament, soldiers and officials appear repeatedly in positive or neutral roles. John the Baptist instructed soldiers not to abandon their calling but to act with honesty and restraint (Luke 3:14). Jesus commended the Roman centurion in Capernaum for his remarkable faith, never rebuking his military role (Luke 7:9). Cornelius, another centurion, is described as devout, generous, and prayerful; God chose his household as a key moment in the gospel’s expansion to the Gentiles (Acts 10:1–2). These narratives affirm that public roles involving authority, enforcement, or military responsibility are not inherently opposed to God’s purposes. Instead, when carried out with integrity, they align with the Romans-13 description of officials as servants who protect the good and restrain the harmful.

Paul’s interactions with Roman authority further highlight the value of orderly government. He appealed to his legal rights, received protection from officials, and addressed governors and kings with respect (Acts 24–26). Though he suffered under imperfect systems, he recognized that government itself is not the enemy; injustice is. Modern believers can draw comfort and instruction from these accounts, honoring the many public servants who act with courage and selflessness to uphold peace and justice in our communities.

Theological Significance

Romans 13:1–7 establishes a foundational truth: civil authority exists under God’s sovereignty and serves His purposes in a world marked by sin and disorder. Paul writes that governing authorities are established by God, meaning their legitimacy rests not on perfection but on God’s intention to restrain evil and promote what is good (Romans 13:1–4). This truth does not idealize government; rather, it recognizes that public order is a mercy in a fallen world. Without governing structures, societies drift toward violence, injustice, instability, and fear. God’s provision of authority—however imperfect—is a means of common grace, shielding people from the destructive consequences of sin and enabling communities to flourish. This understanding provides a theological basis for honoring those who serve in public roles.

When Paul describes rulers as “God’s servants to do you good” (Romans 13:4), he uses language that elevates the work of public servants to a sacred dimension. Police officers who protect neighborhoods, firefighters who rush toward danger, EMTs who preserve life, military personnel who defend nations, judges who uphold justice, and administrators who maintain the civic fabric—all participate in this preserving work. Whether believers or not, they act as instruments God uses to uphold order. Their courage and integrity contribute to a society where families can thrive, churches can worship freely, and the gospel can advance without constant disruption. In this way, the work of public servants reflects God’s character, who brings order out of chaos and justice out of disorder.

This teaching also frames the believer’s relationship to civil authority. Submission, respect, honor, and obedience are presented as normal postures for Christians (Romans 13:5–7). Paul urges these attitudes not because rulers are flawless, but because God stands behind the institution of government. Submission becomes an act of trust in God’s providence. This view is reinforced in 1 Peter 2:13–17, where believers are called to honor everyone, fear God, and respect the emperor. Peter connects honorable citizenship with Christian witness, teaching that by doing good believers silence accusations and reveal the beauty of a life shaped by Christ. Far from being passive, this kind of submission is an active expression of faith, acknowledging God’s rule over history and His use of civic order to bless communities.

The harmony between God’s oversight and human responsibility becomes clear when examining the purpose of civil peace. Paul instructs believers in 1 Timothy 2:1–4 to pray for those in authority so that “we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” This stability is not an end in itself; it is meant to create conditions where believers can focus on godliness, prayer, evangelism, and service. Public servants, by maintaining peace and justice, help create this environment. Their work becomes part of the larger story of God preparing space for the church’s mission. In this way, the biblical vision of church and state is not a blending of roles but a cooperation of purpose: government sustains external order while the church proclaims the gospel and forms disciples.

Scripture also acknowledges that loyalty to God takes precedence when civil commands directly contradict His revealed will. The apostles refused to stop proclaiming Christ when forbidden to speak in His name, declaring, “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29). Daniel and his friends followed the same pattern, honoring kings yet refusing commands that violated God’s law (Daniel 3; 6). These accounts do not contradict Romans 13; they highlight its limits. The normal pattern for believers is submission, respect, and prayer. The exceptional pattern is faithful disobedience when obedience to civil authority would require disobedience to God. This biblical tension preserves the integrity of devotion to Christ while affirming the goodness of public authority.

Romans 13 thus offers believers a balanced and hopeful perspective. Governments are not ultimate; God is. Yet governments are not irrelevant; they are part of His ordering of the world. Public servants are not saviors; but they are instruments of God’s preserving grace. Christians honor them because their work aligns, at its best, with God’s purposes for human flourishing. This theological framework encourages gratitude, respect, and a supportive posture toward those who serve, while keeping worship and ultimate allegiance directed toward Christ alone.

Spiritual Lessons and Application

Believers today can approach public servants with gratitude, recognizing that their daily labor serves the good of society in ways most people rarely see. Police officers enter uncertainty on every call, firefighters stand ready to risk their lives for strangers, soldiers accept hardship and danger to protect national safety, and local officials make decisions that affect the wellbeing of communities. Romans 13 invites Christians to see beyond the uniforms and roles to the spiritual significance of their work. These individuals help create the “peaceful and quiet lives” for which Paul urges believers to pray (1 Timothy 2:2). Their presence allows churches to gather freely, ministers to preach boldly, and families to serve and grow without constant fear. Honoring public servants becomes part of the church’s gratitude for the stability that supports gospel work.

This perspective also shapes the believer’s everyday citizenship. Scripture encourages Christians to be peaceful, obedient, and ready for every good work under civil authority (Titus 3:1–2). Such conduct honors public servants by reducing the burdens of disorder, conflict, and hostility. When believers follow laws, respect others, and act with humility, they reflect the gospel in practical ways. Their good citizenship becomes an encouragement to those who work in difficult roles. Living this way also creates opportunities for witness, showing that Christian faith contributes to the wellbeing of communities. This cooperation does not compromise the church’s mission; it strengthens it by demonstrating love, integrity, and service.

Prayer is another vital form of support for those who serve. Paul urges believers to offer “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving” for all in authority (1 Timothy 2:1–2). These prayers acknowledge the weight carried by public servants, many of whom face danger, trauma, and constant pressure. As believers pray for wisdom, safety, integrity, and courage for these individuals, they participate in God’s care for them. Prayer also keeps the church mindful of its mission, reminding believers that public order is a blessing that enables evangelism, discipleship, and acts of compassion. In praying for those who protect society, Christians join God’s desire for peace, justice, and the salvation of all people.

Believers can also speak words of blessing and encouragement to public servants. A simple expression of gratitude can strengthen someone who often hears more criticism than thanks. The stories of Daniel, Joseph, Cornelius, and others show that God values people who serve with integrity in public roles. Christians can affirm that value, recognizing that many who serve do so at great personal cost. Encouragement becomes a ministry of grace that uplifts those who labor for the safety and stability of others.

Conclusion

Romans 13:1–7 presents a vision of civil authority rooted in God’s ordering of a world deeply affected by sin. Public servants act as instruments through whom God restrains evil, promotes justice, and provides a measure of peace that allows the church to carry out its mission. When believers honor and pray for these individuals, they affirm God’s wisdom in establishing structures of authority and acknowledge the sacrifice and courage required of those who serve. The examples throughout Scripture—from Joseph to Daniel to Roman officials in the New Testament—show that God often works through civic roles to accomplish His purposes. This truth strengthens believers’ commitment to living as peaceful, honorable citizens who support those who labor for the public good.

As Christians reflect on these truths, they can offer prayers and blessings for all who serve. May God protect police officers, firefighters, EMTs, members of the military, and all who carry out the demanding tasks of public service. May He grant them wisdom, courage, integrity, and strength. May their work bring peace and safety to communities, allowing the church to worship freely and pursue its mission of proclaiming Christ, serving the vulnerable, and making disciples of all nations. And may believers respond with gratitude, respect, and faithful obedience as they live under the authority God has established for their good. This posture honors both God and those who serve as His instruments of order and justice in the world.

“For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.” (Romans 13:4)