Introduction

 

Why does Paul contend the rulers of this world are God's agents in Romans 13:1-6 when Jesus says they are under the dominion of Satan?

Satan's Control Over World's Rulers

The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One (Messiah). (Ps. 2:2.)

8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matt. 4:8.)

Jesus refers to Satan as the "ruler/prince of this world" three times (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11)

³¹Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. (John 12:31.)

³⁰Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. (John 14:30.)

Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. (John 16:11.)

Jesus says His kingdom is not of this world:

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36)

Similarly Apostle John writes: "whole world lieth in the evil one." (1 John 5:19.)

Paul Teaches World's Rulers Are Ordained of 'God'

¹Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ²Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. ⁴For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.⁵Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. ⁶This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. (Romans 13:1-6, NIV)

Conclusion

This is further evidence that Paul did not meet the true Jesus on the road to Damascus, as we claim based upon comparing Jesus' warning in Matthew 24:4-5, 24-27 and Paul's vision in Acts 9:5-9. This is because Satan would send a message through the pseudo-Jesus that says the world rulers are God's agents when Satan actually has dominion over them. 

Study Notes

Paul also contradicts Hosea 8:4 (700s BC): "They set up kings without my consent;  they choose princes without my approval." (NIV) Paul also contradicts Peter and John who when the first time they were told not to preach, they responded in Acts 4:19: “But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!” The same happened again in Acts 5:29, and they responded similarly for "Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!'” Paul contradicts the sound example of Daniel who refused to stop worshipping Yahweh: “Then they answered and spoke before the king, ‘Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day.” (Daniel 6:13.) Also, Moses' life depended upon such disobedience. In Exodus 1:17, we similarly read: “But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live.”

Cf. Thomas Aquinas recognized a Christian had no duty to obey unjust laws, implicitly recognizing the world's rulers are not God's agents. (Summa Theolgia (Copleston) Question 96, Art. 6; see Feldman at 307 fn. 125.)