Lesson 24
Romans 13:1-7
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Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God....Romans 13:1
Read Romans 13:1-7
1) Transformation by the renewal of our minds affects every area and every relationship, including the believer’s relationship to civil authorities. In verse one Paul instructs believers to be subject to governing authorities. What reason does he give for this command in verses 1-2?
2) Throughout Scripture we see that God is the one who establishes human authority. Write what the following verses say about God’s hand in establishing government.
3) Our culture does not view government as being established by God and people are naturally resistant to authority. Do you see the word’s attitudes affecting (or infecting) the church? Your own thinking?
4) Read Romans 13:3-5. What do you learn from this passage about the place and purpose of civil government in God’s established order?
5) Read 1 Peter 2:13-25. According to Peter, what is the relationship between being subject to human institutions and being God’s servant?
6) Does submitting to authorities mean that we must obey them in every circumstance? See Acts 5:27-29.
7) Can you think of an example from Scripture of an instance when to obey the king would be to sin against God?
8) Peter is aware that to be subject to fallen men sometimes involves suffering. In 1 Peter 2:13-25 he uses Jesus as an example. What does Peter want us to learn from the Lord?
9) Is there a situation in your life where following Jesus’ example is especially difficult? What steps of obedience would God have you take?
10) Paul tells us in Romans 13:6-7 that because governing authorities are instituted by God it is right that we pay taxes; but, our duty doesn’t end there. What else do we owe others?
11) In other passages Paul gives instructions for submission in different relationships. Name the relationship Paul speaks of in each passage and the thing owed by the one who would be subject to the Lord.
12) We see that God has established authority at many different levels and in many relationships submission goes both ways. How can submitting to rulers and each other serve to advance the gospel?
13) How have your thinking about human authority and your own attitudes and conduct been challenged through your study this week?
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Romans 13:1-7
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God....Romans 13:1
Read Romans 13:1-7
1) Transformation by the renewal of our minds affects every area and every relationship, including the believer’s relationship to civil authorities. In verse one Paul instructs believers to be subject to governing authorities. What reason does he give for this command in verses 1-2?
2) Throughout Scripture we see that God is the one who establishes human authority. Write what the following verses say about God’s hand in establishing government.
- Isaiah 40:23-24
- Daniel 2:21
- John 19:10-11
3) Our culture does not view government as being established by God and people are naturally resistant to authority. Do you see the word’s attitudes affecting (or infecting) the church? Your own thinking?
4) Read Romans 13:3-5. What do you learn from this passage about the place and purpose of civil government in God’s established order?
5) Read 1 Peter 2:13-25. According to Peter, what is the relationship between being subject to human institutions and being God’s servant?
6) Does submitting to authorities mean that we must obey them in every circumstance? See Acts 5:27-29.
7) Can you think of an example from Scripture of an instance when to obey the king would be to sin against God?
8) Peter is aware that to be subject to fallen men sometimes involves suffering. In 1 Peter 2:13-25 he uses Jesus as an example. What does Peter want us to learn from the Lord?
9) Is there a situation in your life where following Jesus’ example is especially difficult? What steps of obedience would God have you take?
10) Paul tells us in Romans 13:6-7 that because governing authorities are instituted by God it is right that we pay taxes; but, our duty doesn’t end there. What else do we owe others?
11) In other passages Paul gives instructions for submission in different relationships. Name the relationship Paul speaks of in each passage and the thing owed by the one who would be subject to the Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 16:15-16
- Ephesians 5:21-33
- Titus 2:9
12) We see that God has established authority at many different levels and in many relationships submission goes both ways. How can submitting to rulers and each other serve to advance the gospel?
13) How have your thinking about human authority and your own attitudes and conduct been challenged through your study this week?
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
