Opposition to the demands of the state or other legitimate authorities. Individuals must not resist such demands unless they are contrary to God's requirements. God will himself judge unjust rulers. Christians should not resist the evil person but, following Jesus Christ's teaching and example, entrust themselves to God.
God should not be resisted
2 Chronicles 35:21; Acts 7:51, Acts 11:17; Romans 9:19
Individuals should not resist legitimate authorities
Civil authorities
Romans 13:1–2 See also Deuteronomy 17:12–13; 1 Samuel 24:6; Titus 3:1–2; 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.
Religious authorities
Hebrews 13:17 See also Acts 23:5
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.
Parental authority
Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20; 2 Timothy 3:2
Resistance of unjust authorities
Resistance to human authorities is justified when they oppose God's requirements
Exodus 1:15–17 See also Exodus 1:22–2:3; Daniel 3:13–18, Daniel 6:6–10; Acts 4:18–20, Acts 5:27–29; Hebrews 11:23
Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, “When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them on the birthstools. If the child is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live.” The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live.
God will enable Christians, unjustly brought before human authorities, to defend themselves
Mark 13:11 parallels Matthew 10:19–20, Luke 12:11–12 See also Luke 21:14–15
But when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand what to say. Instead, speak whatever you are given at that time, for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
God will vindicate those of his people who cannot resist unjust authorities
Daniel 3:28–29 See also Genesis 39:20–21; Ecclesiastes 8:12; Daniel 6:19–28
Nebuchadnezzar declared, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be cut into pieces and their houses reduced to rubble. For there is no other god who can deliver in this way.”
God will himself judge unjust rulers
Hosea 5:10 See also 1 Kings 21:15–19; Isaiah 1:23–26, Isaiah 3:11–15, Isaiah 10:1–3, Isaiah 59:14–20; Ezekiel 22:27–31; Micah 7:2–4
The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary stones; I will pour out My fury upon them like water.
Resisting evil
Christians should not resist the evil person
Matthew 5:38–41 See also Matthew 5:43–48, Matthew 26:52; Luke 6:27–30; Romans 12:19–21
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
Christians should follow the teaching and example of Jesus Christ and entrust themselves to God
1 Peter 2:20–23 See also Isaiah 53:7–9; 2 Timothy 4:14
How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.