Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. (6-7)
One of my favorite scenes in the WWII mini-series Band of Brothers is when Major Richard Winters encounters one of his former superior officers late in the war. In the beginning, Captain Sobel had been his ranking officer and their relationship was not good. Because Winters was a man of integrity and action he rose through the ranks over time, but his former commanding officer did not. When Winters is now a Major and he runs into Sobel who is still a Captain, Sobel tries to act like he doesn’t see him so he can avoid saluting his former trainee. Winters notices him doing this and calls him out. His response is both gracious and very instructive for us, “You salute the rank, not the man.” In other words, it doesn’t matter how you feel about me personally, you must respect the rank I hold.
This is the spirit of Paul’s instructions in Romans 13 as it relates to those in authority above us. Paul realizes that not everyone in authority is perfect or even deserves to be there. He also realizes that the early church would often face persecution and suffering at the hands of those in authority. Yet for Christians, Paul also understands two important biblical concepts: Submission and the Sovereignty of God. We live in a day where people want to scream about their “personal rights” and they think that their personal freedom should trump everything else. However, for the believer, our focus is not on our “personal freedoms” but on mutual submission. This is what honors God.
We also must remember that God is sovereign and in control. Nothing takes Him by surprise. He knew who would be your President, He knows what errors the government will make, and He has placed you under many authorities in your life including your boss at work and those who lead in your church. We don’t have to agree with those who are in authority over us to honor them. We salute the rank and not the man. This doesn’t mean we participate in evil with them, and yes, we must stand up for what is right. Still, we respect and honor those who are in authority because that honors God. That says to God, “I trust you even though I am currently in a position of submission under someone who doesn’t please You.” That says to God, “I am willing to love and respect those who are not loveable and respectable because I love Jesus.” It is easy when we have authorities who are Christ-like. Yet, when we respect those who don’t deserve it (out of obedience to Christ), we truly honor God.
