What does the Bible say about magistrates?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that magistrates are God-ordained civil servants, called to uphold justice, restrain evil, and promote the public good, and Christians should ordinarily honor, pray for, and obey them in lawful matters. Romans 13:1-6 describes governing authorities as God’s servants, bearing the sword to punish wrongdoing and receiving taxes for their work. First Peter 2:14 likewise speaks of rulers sent to punish evil and praise good conduct. Scripture also requires rulers to be wise, trustworthy, God-fearing, and opposed to unjust gain, as Exodus 18:21 and Ezra 7:25 show. Yet civil authority is not absolute: Acts 23:5 commends respect for office, while the whole biblical witness requires obedience to God above human commands.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Are appointed by God Romans 13:1
- Are ministers of God Romans 13:4; Romans 13:6
- Purpose of their appointment Romans 13:4; 1 Peter 2:14
- Their office to be respected Acts 23:5
- Are not a terror to the good, but to the evil Romans 13:3
- To be wisely selected and appointed Exodus 18:21; Ezra 7:25
- To be prayed for 1 Timothy 2:1; 1 Timothy 2:2
- Should
- Seek wisdom from God 1 Kings 3:9
- Rule in the fear of God 2 Samuel 23:3; 2 Chronicles 19:7
- Know the law of God Ezra 7:25
- Be faithful to the Sovereign Daniel 6:4
- Enforce the laws Ezra 7:26
- Judge wisely 1 Kings 3:16-28
- Hate covetousness Exodus 18:21
- Not take bribes Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19
- Defend the poor Job 29:12; Job 29:16
- Judge for God, not for man 2 Chronicles 19:6
- Judge righteously Deuteronomy 1:16; Deuteronomy 16:18; Deuteronomy 25:1
- Be impartial Exodus 23:6; Deuteronomy 1:17
- Be diligent in ruling Romans 12:8
- Subjection to their authority enjoined Matthew 23:2; Matthew 23:3; Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Peter 2:14
- Wicked - Illustrated Proverbs 28:15
- Good - Exemplified
- Joseph Genesis 41:46
- Gideon Judges 8:35
- Samuel 1 Samuel 12:3; 1 Samuel 12:4; Ezra 10:1-9
- Nehemiah Nehemiah 3:15
- Job Job 29:16
- Daniel Daniel 6:3
- Wicked - Exemplified
- Sons of Samuel 1 Samuel 8:3
- Pilate Matthew 27:24; Matthew 27:26
- Magistrates in Philippi Acts 16:22; Acts 16:23
- Gallio Acts 18:16; Acts 18:17
- Felix Acts 24:26
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