What does the Bible say about obeying authorities?
Our relationship to Christ determines our identity. In Christ, we have become “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who belong to God, so that we may proclaim the excellencies of the One who called us from darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Our task is not only to be God’s possession but His dwelling place and a demonstration of His nature.
Many scriptures speak about submission to authority for different groups (you can find some at the end of this essay) 1. But for starters, according to Peter’s writing in 1 Peter 2:13, submission to others is a specific manifestation of Godly conduct. “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” Some of these kinds of submission include:
Submission to civil authorities (2:13-17).
Submission to those who may be the cause of our suffering—including slaves to cruel masters (2:18-19).
Submission of wives to unbelieving and even unkind husbands (3:1-2).
Submission of husbands to wives (3:7).
God has placed an entire network of people in this world into positions of authority. Not just government leaders but also leaders in workplaces, circles, and families. We don’t like certain authorities or decisions based on personal preference, and sometimes they’re not even right or fair. However, you should:
Read and study what God says about obeying authorities.
Understand and know ahead of time that you are not going to like every decision the authorities make.
Obey authorities, whether it favours you or not.
Only disobey an authority if it requires you to commit sin and face the consequences for that happily.
Pray for those in authority over you.
If a particular rule doesn’t favour you, pray to God about it.
Be an example to others and let them see what obeying authority looks like in your life.
There is nothing wrong with having constructive conversations or confronting unjust rules within the stipulated human rights. But there should be a line between offering your opinion, following set procedures, and becoming disrespectful to authorities. Nothing will make you feel good about having to submit to authority, especially when it’s not favourable. As Christians, we’re to trust the Bible, obey God, and not our feelings.
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” —I Timothy 2:1-4.
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” —2 Corinthians 2:14-15.
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” —Hebrews 13:17.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. 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, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.” —Romans 13:1-5.
“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” Titus 2:7–8.
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” Titus 3:1-2.
“Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” —1 Peter 2:18-21.
“Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.” —1 Timothy 6:1-2.
“Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” —Ephesians 6:5-6.