God’s Institution of Government and Mankind’s Free Will in Governance A Biblical Perspective with Hebrew and Greek Insights Part 4
When to Obey and Disobey Government:
A Biblical and Rabbinical Perspective
The Bible teaches that governing authorities are established by God (Romans 13:1), but it also emphasizes that obedience to government is not absolute. When human rulers command what is contrary to God’s law, believers are required to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).
This section explores the biblical and rabbinical understanding of authority, civil obedience, and divine resistance, using key Greek and Hebrew terms to provide deeper insight.
Greek and Hebrew Words for Authority in Scripture
1. ἐξουσία (Exousia) – “Delegated Authority” (Romans 13:1-7) “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers: For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” (Romans 13:1)
ἐξουσία (Exousia) means “delegated power, jurisdiction, or authority.”
This indicates that government authority is not inherent but given by God for the purpose of maintaining justice.
Talmudic Principle (Avodah Zarah 18a) – “The ruler’s authority comes from heaven, but if he commands against the law of God, he is no ruler at all.”
Government authority is valid only when it aligns with God’s moral order. When rulers govern unjustly or contrary to divine law, they lose their legitimate claim to authority.
πείθω (Peitho) – “To Be Persuaded, To Trust” (Acts 5:29) “We ought to obey (πείθω – Peitho) God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
πείθω (Peitho) means “to be persuaded, to trust, to put confidence in”.
This signifies that believers must prioritize their trust in God’s commands over human rulings.
Rabbinical Interpretation (Midrash Tehillim on Psalm 118:8-9) – “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.”
Key Teaching: When human laws conflict with divine law, our trust (Peitho) must be in God. Faithful obedience to God is superior to any earthly allegiance.
Biblical Examples of Righteous Disobedience
Throughout Scripture, there are clear examples of God’s people resisting unjust laws when they contradict divine commands.
Exodus 1:17 – Hebrew Midwives Defied Pharaoh’s Command
“But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.”
Pharaoh commanded that all male Hebrew infants be killed, but the midwives refused to obey, fearing God more than man.
Hebrew Word: יָרֵא (Yare’) – “To Fear, To Reverence” signifies deep reverence for God, which overruled their fear of Pharaoh.
Talmudic Commentary (Sotah 11b) – The midwives were considered righteous women because they acted in obedience to God, even at great personal risk.
When rulers command moral evil, obedience to God takes precedence.
Daniel 3:16-18 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Refused to Worship Idols
“Be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
Nebuchadnezzar demanded worship of an idol, but these three men refused, choosing death over disobedience to God.
Hebrew Word: עָבַד (Avad) – “To Serve, To Worship” This word is used both for service to rulers and worship of God. They understood that true service (Avad) belonged only to God.
Rabbinical Insight (Sanhedrin 92a) – “A man must be willing to surrender his life rather than betray the sovereignty of the Almighty.”
When governments demand worship or allegiance that belongs to God, believers must refuse.
Acts 5:29 – The Apostles Chose God Over Human Rulers
“We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Peter and the apostles refused to stop preaching Jesus, despite threats from the authorities.
Greek Word: ὑπακούω (Hypakouo) – “To Obey, To Submit”
ὑπακούω (Hypakouo) implies listening with the intent to obey. The apostles listened to God rather than human rulers.
Jewish Legal Principle (Mishnah, Avot 3:5) – “Where the command of man conflicts with the command of heaven, the command of heaven prevails.”
Proclaiming the truth of God is non-negotiable, even when governments attempt to suppress it.
When Human Laws Contradict Divine Laws, Believers Must Obey God The Bible and Jewish tradition consistently uphold the principle that obedience to God is higher than obedience to earthly rulers. While believers are commanded to respect and submit to lawful authority (Romans 13:1), this submission is conditional on the government’s alignment with God’s moral law.
Summary of When to Obey and When to Disobey Government
| Scenario | Biblical Example | Key Principle |
| Government upholds justice | Romans 13:3-4 | Obey, as government serves God’s purpose |
| Government commands sin | Exodus 1:17 | Disobey, as obedience to God is primary |
| Government demands idolatry | Daniel 3:16-18 | Disobey, as worship belongs to God alone |
| Government suppresses the Gospel | Acts 5:29 | Disobey, as God’s command to preach is supreme |
Rabbinical and New Testament Teachings on Obedience to God Over Men
Jewish Rabbinical Perspective
The Talmud (Sanhedrin 49a) – “A king who commands against the Torah is no king at all.”
Maimonides (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Kings 3:9) – “If a ruler demands what is contrary to the commandments, he must not be obeyed.”
The Midrash (Exodus Rabbah 1:13) – “The midwives feared God and were rewarded. Their resistance to Pharaoh was counted as righteousness.”
New Testament Confirmation
Matthew 22:21 – “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”
Jesus acknowledges civil government but distinguishes divine authority as greater.
Ephesians 6:12 – “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.”
Paul identifies spiritual forces influencing governments, warning believers to remain vigilant.
Biblical and Rabbinical Principles for Government Obedience and Resistance
Governments derive authority (ἐξουσία – Exousia) from God but must align with divine law (Romans 13:1).
When rulers command sin, believers must trust (πείθω – Peitho) and obey God over man (Acts 5:29).
Examples of righteous disobedience (Exodus 1:17, Daniel 3:16-18) establish that moral law supersedes human law.
Both Jewish tradition and New Testament teachings affirm that God’s command is always supreme.
Ultimately, when human authority contradicts divine truth, believers must stand with God—even at great cost.
Conclusion
God instituted government (מִמְשָׁלָה – Mimshelah) to uphold justice (צֶדֶק – Tsedeq), protect the vulnerable, and punish evil. However, He also granted humanity free will to choose its form of government, provided it aligns with His moral law. Psalm 82 and other Scriptures define a just government as one that prioritizes righteousness, fairness, and protection for the weak.
Biblical governance is rooted in the principles of divine justice, and when rulers deviate, they face God’s judgment. Ultimately, all rulers and nations are accountable to God, and believers must balance submission to government (ἐξουσία – Exousia) with obedience to God (πείθω – Peitho).
