Troublesome Topic: The Need for Authority Not the Person Holding It Rom 13

THE NEED FOR AUTHORITY, NOT THE PERSON HOLDING IT

The context here is the authority of governments, but the principles of this verse and the next apply to other situations as well. I believe this verse is talking about the establishment of the authority structures, not who fills them. The fact that authority is required to govern or lead nations, homes and other social structures is part of God’s design. How the people holding that authority function will not always be according to God’s design, just the fact that such authority is needed.

I don’t think God directly intervenes to orchestrate who will be the president or the governor, etc.; He allows us to elect who we want, and He even allows despots to take control by force. This verse is simply saying that God has placed within mankind an innate understanding that anarchy is not good, and leadership is necessary. In any situation, the most persuasive, or the strongest and most brutal individual will rise as the leader of the group.

The next lesson is: Don’t Step Outside of God’s Lines of Authority Rom 13