Sermons on Romans 13:4
The various sermons below converge on the understanding that Romans 13:4 affirms the divine institution of government as a necessary agent for restraining evil and administering justice, including the use of the sword as a symbol and instrument of civil authority. They collectively emphasize the distinction between the personal ethic of Christian non-retaliation and the public role of government in maintaining order, underscoring that the state’s punitive power is sanctioned by God for societal good. Notably, several sermons highlight the nuanced balance between justice and mercy, suggesting that while civil authorities are called to enforce retributive justice, Christians are also to exercise discernment and compassion in various spheres of life. Another shared theme is the clear differentiation between church and state roles: the state wields the sword to punish wrongdoing, but the church’s discipline is spiritual and restorative rather than coercive or capital. Additionally, the sermons affirm that government authority, though divinely appointed, is not absolute and must be resisted if it contradicts God’s commands.
In contrast, some sermons emphasize the legitimacy and even necessity of capital punishment as biblically warranted, while others caution against conflating civil law with the enforcement of all sin, maintaining a strict boundary between civil justice and ecclesiastical discipline. A distinct interpretive strand stresses the radical freedom of Christians from earthly authorities, portraying believers as heavenly citizens whose ultimate allegiance transcends any government, which is temporal and limited in scope. This perspective warns against attempts to Christianize the state or to blur the lines between church and civil power, framing such efforts as theological errors and potential betrayals of Christian identity. Meanwhile, other sermons focus more on the practical outworking of justice and mercy in everyday contexts beyond government, such as parenting and employment, broadening the application of Romans 13:4 beyond the political realm. These differences reveal varying emphases on the scope and limits of government authority, the nature of Christian freedom, and the relationship between spiritual and civil obedience—
Romans 13:4 Interpretation:
Navigating Church-State Relations and the Legislation of Sin (Desiring God) provides a unique interpretive angle by distinguishing between the church and the state in the application of Romans 13:4. The sermon argues that while the state is given the sword to punish wrongdoing, this does not equate to enforcing obedience to Christ or legislating all sins as crimes. The preacher draws a fine distinction: obeying a law Christ approves is not the same as obeying Christ, and punishment by the state for breaking a just law is not the same as punishment for disobeying Christ. This interpretation is notable for its careful parsing of the difference between civil and ecclesiastical authority, and for its insistence that the church's ultimate discipline is excommunication, not execution, in contrast to Old Testament Israel.
Balancing Mercy and Justice in Christian Jurisprudence (Desiring God) interprets Romans 13:4 as a clear affirmation that civil government is divinely instituted to carry out retributive justice, including punishment for wrongdoing, and that this is not in conflict with the Christian call to mercy. The sermon uniquely contrasts the Mosaic law’s approach to justice with the new ethic introduced by Christ, especially as seen in the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8). The preacher argues that Jesus’ refusal to stone the woman signals a shift for the church away from being a political entity with civil laws, but not a total abolition of retributive justice in all spheres. Instead, Romans 13:4 is used to show that God still ordains civil authorities to bear the sword, and Christians may participate in such justice as jurors or officials, provided they discern when to apply mercy and when to uphold justice. The analogy of “rivers of evil in the human heart” being restrained by “the common grace of retributive justice” is a notable metaphor, emphasizing the necessity of justice for societal order.
Invincible Joy and Freedom in Christ (SermonIndex.net) and "Christian Joy and Freedom Beyond Earthly Authority" (SermonIndex.net) both offer a distinctive interpretation of Romans 13:4 by emphasizing the radical freedom of Christians from the inherent authority of the state. They argue that while the state is divinely authorized to wield the sword (i.e., to punish, imprison, or even execute), this power is ultimately limited to the temporal realm and cannot touch the Christian’s true joy or citizenship, which is in heaven. The sermons use the analogy of “children of God” who are “free from human institutions,” and submission to the state is always “for the Lord’s sake,” not because of any intrinsic authority in the state itself. The preacher draws a sharp distinction between the church and the state, noting that the church is founded on self-sacrifice and enemy-love, while the state is defined by its punitive power. The metaphor of “the aroma of heaven” is used to describe the distinctiveness of Christian engagement with government, and the sermons repeatedly stress that the “sons are free” (referencing Jesus’ teaching on the temple tax) as a paradigm for Christian interaction with all human authority.
Romans 13:4 Theological Themes:
Living Authentically: Embracing God's Sovereignty and Love (David Guzik) introduces the theme that government, even when led by ungodly or wicked rulers, is still under God's sovereign appointment—sometimes for blessing, sometimes for chastisement. Guzik adds the facet that the legitimacy of government’s punitive power (including the death penalty) is not dependent on the moral character of its leaders but on God’s overarching providence, and that Christians are called to be exemplary citizens unless obedience to government would mean disobedience to God.
Navigating Church-State Relations and the Legislation of Sin (Desiring God) presents the distinct theological theme that the church, unlike Old Testament Israel, is not a geopolitical entity and therefore does not wield the sword; the state’s use of the sword is limited to maintaining civil order, not enforcing religious faith or punishing religious disobedience. The sermon adds the nuanced angle that the state’s authority to punish is not a mandate to legislate all sin, and that the church’s role is to consult Christ’s word in discerning which sins, if any, should be prohibited by law, always maintaining the distinction between civil and spiritual discipline.
Balancing Mercy and Justice in Christian Jurisprudence (Desiring God) introduces the nuanced theme that retributive justice and mercy are not mutually exclusive in the Christian life; rather, Christians are called to discern, by the Holy Spirit, when to apply each. The sermon uniquely applies Romans 13:4 to multiple spheres—parenting, employment, education, government, and church discipline—arguing that retributive justice, always mingled with mercy, is biblically appropriate in each context, not just in the state.
Invincible Joy and Freedom in Christ (SermonIndex.net) and "Christian Joy and Freedom Beyond Earthly Authority" (SermonIndex.net) develop the theme of radical Christian freedom from all human institutions, rooted in heavenly citizenship. They add the distinctive angle that this freedom is not a license for civic disengagement or lawlessness, but rather a call to serve the world from the margins, motivated by allegiance to Christ rather than to any earthly nation. The sermons also introduce the idea that seeking to “Christianize” the state in this age is a theological error, as the true merger of church and state will only occur at Christ’s return. Another unique facet is the warning against “heavenly treason”—the betrayal of Christian identity by submitting to government processes that lack the “aroma of heaven,” and the insistence that Christian rights (justification, inheritance, eternal joy) are inviolable and not dependent on earthly freedoms.
Romans 13:4 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Living Authentically: Embracing God's Sovereignty and Love (David Guzik) provides historical context by noting that Paul wrote Romans 13:4 during the reign of the Roman Empire, specifically under rulers like Nero, who were often hostile or even brutal toward Christians. Guzik highlights that Paul’s assertion of God’s appointment of rulers was made in a context where the government was far from righteous, underscoring the radical nature of Paul’s teaching about divine sovereignty over all authorities, good or evil. He also explains the Roman use of the sword as the standard method of execution, clarifying the practical implications of Paul’s language for his original audience.
Navigating Church-State Relations and the Legislation of Sin (Desiring God) offers historical insight by contrasting the church’s position after Christ with that of Old Testament Israel, which was a nation-state with divinely mandated laws and punishments, including capital punishment for certain sins. The sermon references the history of Christendom from Constantine to the Puritans as a period when the church wrongly wielded the sword to enforce faith, arguing that this was a misapplication of biblical teaching and a corruption of the church’s mission.
Balancing Mercy and Justice in Christian Jurisprudence (Desiring God) provides historical context by explaining the shift from the Mosaic law, which governed Israel as a political and ethnic entity with civil laws (including capital punishment), to the new covenant community (the church), which is not a political body and is governed by the law of Christ. The sermon notes that Jesus’ actions in John 8 signal this transition, and that Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 5 (excommunication rather than execution) exemplify the new approach to discipline within the church.
Invincible Joy and Freedom in Christ (SermonIndex.net) and "Christian Joy and Freedom Beyond Earthly Authority" (SermonIndex.net) offer historical insight by highlighting the radical distinction between the church and the state in the New Testament era. The sermons explain that God ordained the state to wield the sword as a means of restraining evil, while the church is founded on Christ’s renunciation of the sword and his call to love enemies. They also reference the historical reality that the church has often thrived under persecution and apparent defeat (e.g., North Africa, the Middle East, Turkey), suggesting that the church’s triumph is not tied to political power or the Christianization of the state.
Romans 13:4 Cross-References in the Bible:
Living Authentically: Embracing God's Sovereignty and Love (David Guzik) cross-references Romans 12:19 ("Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord") to show the transition from personal non-retaliation to the public role of government in punishing evil. He also references the Ten Commandments and Jesus’ teaching on loving one’s neighbor to contrast the personal ethic of love with the societal necessity of justice.
Overcoming Evil with Good: Trusting God's Justice (Ligonier Ministries) references Romans 5 to ground the ethical commands of Romans 12 in the theological reality of justification and reconciliation with God. The sermon also references Deuteronomy 32:35 ("Vengeance is Mine, and recompense... for their foot shall slide in due time") to support the principle that vengeance belongs to God, not individuals, and connects this to Jonathan Edwards’ sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." Additionally, it references Proverbs (regarding feeding one’s enemy), the Sermon on the Mount (Jesus’ teaching on going the extra mile), and Isaiah 66 to illustrate God’s ultimate justice and the eschatological hope for believers.
Navigating Church-State Relations and the Legislation of Sin (Desiring God) references John 18:36 ("My kingdom is not of this world...") to support the distinction between Christ’s kingdom and earthly governments, and to argue that the church should not seek to wield the sword to enforce religious obedience. The sermon also alludes to New Testament passages on church discipline (excommunication) as the proper response to unrepentant sin within the church, rather than civil punishment.
Balancing Mercy and Justice in Christian Jurisprudence (Desiring God) references several passages to support and expand on Romans 13:4: John 8:1-11 (Jesus and the woman caught in adultery) is used to illustrate the shift from Mosaic to Christ’s law; Leviticus 20:10 (the Mosaic penalty for adultery) provides the Old Testament background; 1 Corinthians 5 (church discipline as excommunication) shows the new covenant approach; 1 Peter 2:14 (governors sent to punish evil) reinforces the state’s punitive role; Ephesians 6 (parental discipline); Hebrews 12 (discipline as chastisement); 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (withholding provision from the idle); and Matthew 5:38-39 (Jesus’ teaching on non-retaliation) are all used to show the various spheres where justice and mercy interact.
Invincible Joy and Freedom in Christ (SermonIndex.net) and "Christian Joy and Freedom Beyond Earthly Authority" (SermonIndex.net) make extensive use of cross-references: Matthew 17:24-26 (the temple tax and the freedom of the sons) is foundational for the argument about Christian freedom from human institutions; 1 Peter 2:13-16 (submission to authorities for the Lord’s sake, living as free people); Ephesians 6:5-7 (slaves obeying masters as serving Christ); 1 Corinthians 7:22 and 9:19 (freedom and servanthood in Christ); Romans 8:21 (freedom of the children of God); Colossians 1:13 (transfer from the domain of darkness to Christ’s kingdom); Romans 6:22 (freedom from sin, slavery to God); Philippians 3:20 (citizenship in heaven); Acts 4:19-20 and 5:29 (obeying God rather than men); and numerous references in 1 Peter to the Christian’s status as sojourner and exile, and the call to do good deeds from the margins.
Romans 13:4 Christian References outside the Bible:
Overcoming Evil with Good: Trusting God's Justice (Ligonier Ministries) explicitly references R.C. Sproul’s commentary on Romans, noting Sproul’s pastoral insight into Paul’s use of the term "Beloved" as a prelude to a difficult command. The sermon also discusses Jonathan Edwards’ "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," explaining how Edwards used Deuteronomy 32:35 to illustrate the precariousness of sinners under God’s wrath, and Anselm’s "Cur Deus Homo" to articulate the necessity of Christ’s atoning death as a satisfaction of divine justice. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is also mentioned, with his phrase "not a fallen world; it is a fallen-falling world," to describe the deepening corruption of creation and the need for God’s intervention.
Romans 13:4 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Living Authentically: Embracing God's Sovereignty and Love (David Guzik) uses the vivid secular analogy of a homeowner confronting a burglar with a frying pan to illustrate the difference between personal forgiveness and the necessity of involving civil authorities for justice. He also employs the practical example of paying taxes, likening it to the everyday obligation of changing clothes, and uses the image of dressing for sin (e.g., putting on equestrian gear without intending to ride a horse) to illustrate how Christians sometimes prepare for sin rather than righteousness.
Overcoming Evil with Good: Trusting God's Justice (Ligonier Ministries) references the German word "schadenfreude" and the imagery from old cartoons (smoke coming out of a character’s head) to explain the wrongheaded idea of taking pleasure in an enemy’s discomfort. The sermon also alludes to the historical context of the Roman Empire and the fearsome reputation of Cyrus’ armies, using the image of the ground shaking as they approached to contrast with the ultimate power of God’s hosts.