Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Does Romans 13 really teach Christians to obey government no matter what?
In this episode of The Gio and Joey Show, we take on one of the most misunderstood passages in the New Testament and one of the most provocative ideas in early American political thought: “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.”
We examine Jonathan Mayhew’s influential 1750 sermon, A Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers, and ask whether Romans 13 gives government unlimited authority or actually defines the limits of that authority.
Paul says rulers are “God’s minister to you for good.” But what happens when government stops punishing evil and begins coercing conscience, protecting wrongdoing, or demanding what belongs to God alone?
We discuss Romans 13, Acts 5:29, Daniel 3, Daniel 6, Revelation 13, religious liberty, civil disobedience, and the difference between respecting government and giving government absolute obedience.
We also explore a crucial question:
Can a Christian submit to government while still refusing to obey an unjust command?
Jesus said, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21, NKJV).
That statement recognizes Caesar’s authority.
It also implies that Caesar has limits.
So where does legitimate civil authority end, and when does obedience to God require resistance?
Join Gio and Joey for a conversation about Scripture, tyranny, religious liberty, conscience, and the limits of government power.
#Romans13 #ReligiousLiberty #CivilDisobedience #JonathanMayhew #Revelation13 #ChurchAndState #BibleStudy #Christianity #GioAndJoeyShow
Does Romans 13 really teach Christians to obey government no matter what?
In this episode of The Gio and Joey Show, we take on one of the most misunderstood passages in the New Testament and one of the most provocative ideas in early American political thought: “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.”
We examine Jonathan Mayhew’s influential 1750 sermon, A Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers, and ask whether Romans 13 gives government unlimited authority or actually defines the limits of that authority.
Paul says rulers are “God’s minister to you for good.” But what happens when government stops punishing evil and begins coercing conscience, protecting wrongdoing, or demanding what belongs to God alone?
We discuss Romans 13, Acts 5:29, Daniel 3, Daniel 6, Revelation 13, religious liberty, civil disobedience, and the difference between respecting government and giving government absolute obedience.
We also explore a crucial question:
Can a Christian submit to government while still refusing to obey an unjust command?
Jesus said, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21, NKJV).
That statement recognizes Caesar’s authority.
It also implies that Caesar has limits.
So where does legitimate civil authority end, and when does obedience to God require resistance?
Join Gio and Joey for a conversation about Scripture, tyranny, religious liberty, conscience, and the limits of government power.
#Romans13 #ReligiousLiberty #CivilDisobedience #JonathanMayhew #Revelation13 #ChurchAndState #BibleStudy #Christianity #GioAndJoeyShow
