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Romans Commentary Chapters 9-16  /  Romans 13:1-7 Submit to the Governing Authorities Part One  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 3
Several early Christian writers are quoted as honoring rulers (Polycarp, Justin, Theophilus, Tertullian, Theonis); what assumptions about discipleship, witness, and loyalty to Christ seem to underlie their posture toward the Roman state, and how does that compare to typical Christian political instincts today?
Another way to ask: Why did early Christians honor rulers while still following Christ first? How does their attitude toward Rome compare with how many Christians act in politics today?

Direct Answer The transcript suggests the early Christians assumed discipleship includes public respect, obedience, and prayer for rulers as part of doing God’s will—while maintaining exclusive worship of God. Their loyalty to Christ expressed itself through submission and non-rebellion, not through power-grabbing or retaliation.

Support from Transcript:

  • Polycarp: “give all due honor to the powers and authorities that are ordained by God.”
  • Justin: “To God alone we render worship. However, in other things we gladly serve you… and praying…”—worship is exclusive, civic service can still be sincere.
  • Theophilus: “honor the king, be subject to him, and pray for him…If you do this, you will do the will of God.”
  • Tertullian: “We respect in the emperors the ordinance of God,” and even says Caesar is “more ours than yours” because God appointed him.
  • Theonis: obey commands not offending God “in love as well as in fear, with all cheerfulness.”
Discussion Follow-ups Do modern instincts lean more toward suspicion and outrage than honor and prayer? What would change in our witness if we treated submission as part of discipleship?

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