The Church and the Authorities: Romans 12-13

My commitment to Christian nonviolence does not mean being against the governing “authorities,” such as the police. Calling on these authorities is entirely consistent with what I have termed the ABCs of NT Nonviolence: Act, Be creative, Call for help. The real question in Romans 12–13 is how to distinguish between what God assigns governing “authorities” to do and what Jesus commands his followers personally to do.

First, Christians are not called to a “Do-Nothing Christianity.” We are commanded to love both our neighbors and our enemies. The latter means not making the intentional killing of your enemy the sole predetermined solution. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers (Matt. 5:9), Paul commands us to overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21), and Peter tells us to follow Jesus’ own self-sacrificial example (if need be, 1 Pet. 2:21–23). The issue, then, is whether Jesus also gives his followers “the power of the sword” to act as “an avenger who brings wrath on the one who does wrong” (Rom. 13:4)—that is, against your enemies.

The answer is clear from Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount: love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, and do good to those who hate you (Matt. 5:39–44; Luke 6:27–36). Jesus also warned, “All who take up the sword will perish by the sword” (Matt. 26:52). These commands do not suddenly disappear because of what Paul says in Romans 13.

Simply put, Christians can recognize the governing “authorities” and their mandate to “bear the sword” as an “avenger” against wrongdoing (Rom. 13:1–4; see also 1 Pet. 2:13–14), while at the same time recognizing that, in the immediately preceding chapter, Christians themselves are given many clear Don’ts:

• “Don’t curse” (Rom. 12:14).

• “Don’t repay anyone evil for evil” (Rom. 12:17).

• “Don’t avenge yourselves” (Rom. 12:19).

• “Don’t be overcome by evil” (Rom. 12:21).

And notice that Paul gives all of these commands immediately before discussing the governing “authorities” in Romans 13. He does not suddenly tell Christians in Romans 13 to become the “avenger” he has just forbidden them to be in Romans 12. Rather, he assigns that role to the governing “authorities,” distinguishing their God-assigned function from the conduct required of the Christian church.

Reading Romans 12–13 in its full context is therefore central to this understanding.

Once again, Romans 13 describes the role of governing “authorities,” while Romans 12 describes the conduct expected of Christians. Unfortunately, for many centuries that distinction has often been blurred, if not erased altogether. Perhaps it would therefore be helpful to ask yourself not simply, What may governing authorities do? but, What did Jesus command me to do?