What does the Bible say about obeying the law?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that believers should gladly obey God’s moral law and honor lawful civil authorities, while refusing any command that requires disobedience to God. Romans 13:1-5 and Titus 3:1 call Christians to submit to governing authorities as God’s servants for public order. First Peter 2:13-17 likewise joins respectful submission with a life of freedom used to serve God. Yet Acts 5:29 establishes the necessary limit: when human rulers forbid what God commands or command what God forbids, “we must obey God rather than men.” Romans 2:13 and Romans 3:31 show that God’s law is not nullified by faith; rather, true faith upholds it, not as a means of earning salvation, but as the grateful fruit of grace.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Romans 13:1-5
[1] Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. [2] Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. [3] For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same, [4] for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn't bear the sword in vain; for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. [5] Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
- Titus 3:1
Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
- Romans 2:13
For it isn't the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified
- 1 Peter 2:13-17
[13] Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme; [14] or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to those who do well. [15] For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: [16] as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. [17] Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
- Romans 3:31
Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! No, we establish the law.
- Acts 5:29
But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about obeying the law and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about obeying the law