Obedience, to human authorities

Scripture teaches that all people, Christians included, should submit not only to God himself but also to divinely instituted secular authorities.

Obedience is owed to rulers

Romans 13:1–7 See also 1 Timothy 2:1–3; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13–14, 1 Peter 2:17

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. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. 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. Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

Jesus Christ expounds this principle

Mark 12:17 parallels Matthew 22:21, Luke 20:25

Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they marveled at Him.

Obedience is owed to church leaders

Hebrews 13:17 See also 1 Peter 5:5

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Obedience is owed within the household

Ephesians 6:1–3 See also Proverbs 15:5; Colossians 3:20

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

Jesus Christ sets the example

Luke 2:51

Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

Obedience to secular authority is limited by obedience to God

Acts 5:29 See also Acts 4:19

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