So you think Romans 13 gives a blank check to obey a single man? Please. Let’s exegete that fantasy right out of your theology.
Romans 13:1 starts like this:
Πᾶσα ψυχὴ ἐξουσίαις ὑπερεχούσαις ὑποτασσέσθω
Pasa psychē exousiais hyperechousais hypotassesthō
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.”
ὑποτασσέσθω (hypotassesthō) is a present passive imperative – that means it’s a command to submit, yes, but it also implies ongoing, structured submission, not mindless obedience to a tyrant.
ἐξουσίαις (exousiais) – PLURAL. Not “the Emperor.” Not “the President.” Not “your political idol.” This is speaking of systems, offices, institutions. Read it again—authorities, not “your favorite messiah figure in a red hat.”
So no, Paul isn’t endorsing Caesar worship or MAGA messianism. He’s saying, respect the civil structure. In the US, that means checks and balances, three branches, rule of law, not allegiance to one orange-tinged autocrat.
Romans 13:2:
ὁ ἀντιτασσόμενος τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ
ho antitassomenos tē exousia – “The one resisting the authority…”
ἀντιτασσόμενος (antitassomenos) is a present middle participle – it means habitual resistance, not prophetic critique.
What Paul condemns here is lawlessness, not holding a leader accountable.
Now let’s bring out the Holy Spirit fire extinguisher for this Trump-is-anointed nonsense.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 says:
δεήσεις, προσευχάς, ἐντεύξεις, εὐχαριστίας… ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀνθρώπων, ὑπὲρ βασιλέων καὶ πάντων τῶν ἐν ὑπεροχῇ
“Prayers… for all people, for kings and for all who are in authority…”
βασιλέων (basileōn) – plural again.
ὑπεροχῇ (hyperochē) – literally “in elevated station”, not “infallible status.”
There’s no mention of “obey them no matter what”—instead, Paul urges prayers for peaceful governance so we can live godly lives. Not “so we can pretend our leader is God’s chosen one while he mocks the Beatitudes in real time.”
Don’t forget what Jesus said when offered political dominion:
Matthew 4:8-10:
“The devil took him to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world…”
“All these I will give you,” he said, “if you will fall down and worship me.”
Jesus replied, “Get thee hence, Satan.”
That’s the devil’s offer: the kingdoms, the flags, the rallies, the power. You don’t win the kingdom of God by kissing the ring of Caesar… or Trump.
Acts 5:29:
Πειθαρχεῖν δεῖ Θεῷ μᾶλλον ἢ ἀνθρώποις
Peitharchein dei Theō mallon ē anthrōpois
“We must obey God rather than men.”
Πειθαρχεῖν (peitharchein) – present active infinitive, meaning ongoing loyal obedience.
That’s the line. When man’s rule contradicts God’s Word, you break with man, not with God.
And in case anyone forgot what godly rulers should be doing, check out:
Isaiah 10:1-2:
“Woe to those who make unjust laws…”
“To deprive the poor of their rights…”
That’s the Hebrew verb חָקַק (chaqaq) – “to engrave, decree” – and it’s an active participle here, meaning people actively writing corruption into law. And God says woe to them.
So no, Romans 13 doesn’t give you a theology of tyranny. It gives you a theology of civic respect within the boundaries of righteousness. If your “governing authority” is trampling the poor, mocking truth, and feeding division, he’s the problem, not the point of the passage.
Let’s stop trying to tape Jesus’ name onto political idolatry. He doesn’t run for office—He reigns.
Johann.
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