Subject to God’s Authority

Romans Series 2025-2026
Written By Rev. Benj Petroelje

Romans 13:1-7 | Rev. Benj Petroelje

Submission to Governing Authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Rev. Benj Petroelje

After two years in a pastoral position with young adults in a large, non-denominational church in Brookfield, Wisc., Benj Petroelje moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, where he received his M.Div. from Regent College. After Regent, Benj was an associate pastor at Fleetwood CRC in Surrey, BC, for fifteen months (2013-14). While there he began to see doing a doctorate as vital to his sense of pastoral call. As a result, in 2014, Benj and his family moved to Edinburgh (UK) to pursue a Ph.D. in New Testament at the University of Edinburgh. He completed his degree in spring 2019. Benj began his ministry at Fourteenth Street CRC in December of 2018.

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