Texts in Conversation
Romans 13 says that God establishes governments, a common Jewish view found in the Wisdom of Solomon, which teaches that rulers receive their power from God. Wisdom of Solomon emphasizes judgment for unjust rulers, while Paul emphasizes submission.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Wisdom of Solomon 6:3
Deuterocanon
1 Hear therefore, you kings, and understand. Learn, you judges of the ends of the earth. 2 Give ear, you rulers who have dominion over many people, and make your boast in multitudes of nations, 3 because your dominion was given to you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High. He will search out your works, and will inquire about your plans, 4 because being officers of his kingdom, you didn’t judge rightly, nor did you keep the law, nor did you walk according to God’s counsel. 5 He will come upon you dreadfully and swiftly, because a stern judgment comes on those who are in high places. 6 For the man of low estate may be pardoned in mercy, but mighty men will be mightily tested.
Date: 50 BCE – 50 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
Romans 13:1
New Testament
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. 2 So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment 3 (for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation 4 because it is God’s servant for your well-being. But be afraid if you do wrong because government does not bear the sword for nothing. It is God’s servant to administer punishment on the person who does wrong.
Date: 55–58 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... C. K. Barrett, the English exegete, refuted Cullmann's interpretation of the 'authorities' as angelic, finding rather that Cullmann's view is 'almost the exact opposite of the truth; the "authorities" are the state, appointed by God as a bulwark against demonic powers.' Barrett pointed to Wisdom of Solomon 6:3 and Josephus's Jewish War 2:140 as parallels to Romans 13:1b. Subjection to civil rulers is 'an aspect of the doctrine of providence.' It expressed Paul's eschatology, for the 'restraining power' of the Roman imperial government (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7) 'afforded Christians a peaceful existence and the opportunity of preaching the Gospel' prior to the eschaton ..."
James E. Wood, “The Dialectic of Romans 13:1-7 and Revelation 13: Part One,” Journal of Church and State 18.3 (1976): 433–442.
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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