Civil Officers

God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained civil officers to be under him and over the people for his own glory and the public good. To this end, he has armed them with the power of the sword for defense and encouragement of them that do good and for the punishment of evildoers.¹

It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute civil offices when called to them. In the management of them, they should especially maintain justice and peace² according to the wholesome laws of each nation and commonwealth. They may, therefore, lawfully, under the New Testament, wage war on just and necessary occasions.³

Civil officers are instituted by God for the aforementioned ends. We should therefore be subject to them in all lawful things commanded by them in the Lord, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.⁴ We should make supplications and prayers for civil leaders and all that are in authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.⁵

1. Romans 13:1–4 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. ↩︎
2. 2 Samuel 23:3 The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me: When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God.  Psalm 82:3–4 “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” ↩︎
3. Luke 3:14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.” ↩︎
4. Romans 13:5–7 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.   1 Peter 2:17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. ↩︎
5. 1 Timothy 2:1–2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. ↩︎