Romans13:1

Translation

Every living being

should be subject to the authorities above him, for authority does not exist except by God. Those [authorities] that do exist, have been set in place by God.

Paraphrase

Everyone must submit to the lines of authority coming from higher above him, because positions of authority would not exist except that God has made the need for them obvious. Those positions of authority that do exist, have been established by God.

Footnotes

1

This is the word for “breath”’ which means “life” and it means “spirit or soul.” It is used here of “a living being,” i.e. “a person.”

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.