Civil authorities

Divinely appointed servants and agents of God exercising their God-given authority for the good of those they govern and punishing those who do wrong, and to whom all must submit.

Civil authorities are divinely appointed

John 19:11; Romans 13:1 See also 1 Samuel 9:17, 1 Samuel 16:1; Psalm 78:70–71; Proverbs 8:15–16; Jeremiah 27:6, Jeremiah 43:10; Daniel 2:21, Daniel 2:37–38, Daniel 4:17, Daniel 4:32, Daniel 5:18–21, Daniel 5:26–28

Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.

Civil authorities are God's servants and agents

Romans 13:4 See also Isaiah 45:1; Jeremiah 25:9, Jeremiah 27:6, Jeremiah 43:10; Romans 13:6

For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

Civil authority exercised for the good of all and in order to punish wrongdoers

Proverbs 21:15; 1 Peter 2:13–14 See also Genesis 9:6; Ezra 7:26; Psalm 72:12–14, Psalm 78:72; Proverbs 19:12, Proverbs 29:4, Proverbs 29:14; Acts 25:11; Romans 13:3–4; 1 Timothy 2:2

Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

Everyone must submit to civil authorities

Proverbs 24:21–22; Titus 3:1 See also Ecclesiastes 8:2–5; Matthew 17:24–27, Matthew 22:15–21 parallels Mark 12:13–17, Luke 20:20–25; Romans 13:1, Romans 13:5–7; 1 Peter 2:13–14, 1 Peter 2:17

My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious. For they will bring sudden destruction. Who knows what ruin they can bring?

Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,

Civil authorities are only to be obeyed in what is lawful according to Scripture

Acts 5:29 See also Exodus 1:17; 1 Kings 21:2–3; Daniel 1:8, Daniel 3:28, Daniel 6:7–10; Matthew 22:21 parallels Mark 12:17, Luke 20:25; Acts 4:19; Hebrews 11:23

But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.