What passage tells us about the Christian's responsibility to be obedient to the governmental authorities?

Answer 1

Romans:13:1-14:

1: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2: Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3: For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5: Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6: For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7: Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

8: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

9: For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

10: Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11: And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

12: The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

13: Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14: But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Matthew:22:17-21:

17: Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

18: But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

19: Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

20: And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

21: They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Answer 2

Romans chapter 13