Should we always obey the government and other institutions?
To those who promote obedience to the government or other institutions under all circumstances based on these and other similar verses:
I would secondly point out two similar passages, and the immediate inclusion in it of fearing God, and that we're really to be serving the Lord Christ:
As for this one, take notice that we're to be submitting ourselves to every ordinance of man, if we're doing well, and not evil. And, I think it's being said, also if those governors are actually punishing evildoers.
And for this example, when is it thankworthy to be subject to our masters? When we're doing it for our conscience toward God, when we suffer wrongfully, and when we're doing well. These verses also indicate being subject to the good and gentle masters, and I certainly don't see any problem with that.
Submission to government, or institutions, or all other authorities of man should always come second to obedience to God:
There are ways of being peacefully disobedient while also being respectful to the office of the particular authority, making clear our intent and reasoning, and this sort of thing does seem to me like God's will for us in trying times.
- ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: (Romans 13:1-3)
- For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. (Romans 13:4-6)
I would secondly point out two similar passages, and the immediate inclusion in it of fearing God, and that we're really to be serving the Lord Christ:
- Servants, obey in all things [your] masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. (Colossians 3:22-25)
- Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. (Ephesians 6:5-9)
As for this one, take notice that we're to be submitting ourselves to every ordinance of man, if we're doing well, and not evil. And, I think it's being said, also if those governors are actually punishing evildoers.
- ¶ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using [your] liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. (1 Peter 2:13-17)
And for this example, when is it thankworthy to be subject to our masters? When we're doing it for our conscience toward God, when we suffer wrongfully, and when we're doing well. These verses also indicate being subject to the good and gentle masters, and I certainly don't see any problem with that.
- Servants, [be] subject to [your] masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this [is] thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously: (1 Peter 2:18-23)
Submission to government, or institutions, or all other authorities of man should always come second to obedience to God:
- Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)
- ¶ And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. (1 Samuel 15:24)
- [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. (Psalm 118:9)
- Put not your trust in princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. (Psalm 146:3-4)
- ¶ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25)
- Cease ye from man, whose breath [is] in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? (Isaiah 2:22)
- Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart [is] my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation. (Isaiah 51:7-8)
- ¶ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:5)
- ¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
- And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)
- Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. (Luke 6:26)
- And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. (Luke 12:4-5)
- And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:15)
- And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)
- ¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)
- No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (2 Timothy 2:4)
- Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4)
- ¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
There are ways of being peacefully disobedient while also being respectful to the office of the particular authority, making clear our intent and reasoning, and this sort of thing does seem to me like God's will for us in trying times.