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What is the bibles teaching on respecting the government?
You ask an excellent question. Oftentimes, people experience conflict about what their civil authorities require of them (or legally allow) and what they believe the moral code of religion requires that they do (or refrain from). You ask specifically about what the Bible has to say about this. There are several Bible quotes I will explore for this answer; howver, you will find them all in the Catholic Catechism (aa. 2238--2243). Interestingly, this topic of civil authority is included under the reflections on the fourth commandment (Honor your parents).
We can see that the Bible gives somewhat differing views on the Christian and his respect for the government. There are positive and negative quotes. First, let's look at the positive. Paul says in Romans 13:1-2.
Let every person be subordinate to the higher authorities for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been established by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority opposes what God has appointed, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves."
Paul is pretty clear here: governmental authorities have been put in place by God. This has historically been called the "divine right of kings" (since there were a lot of kings back then). Later on (in Rm. 13:7), Paul encourages the Christians in Rome to pay their taxes.
Peter also speaks of this issue in I Peter 2: 13.
Be subject to every human institution for the Lord's sake
So, Peter seems to give deference to civil authorities, too. However, most (if not all) early Christians believed the Lord to be returning soon, so this belief ameliorates such a hardened belief that the civil authorities are instituted by God. Why change the political situation when the whole world is coming to an end?
And there are two very famous quotes for the times when one should defy the government. First, Jesus says in Mt. 22:21, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, give to God what is God's." So, Jesus not only distinguishes the different obediences we give--to civil and religious authority respectively--but I also think he is saying we need to obey God above all. Seriously, what does "Caesar" have that does not belong to God, the creator of everything!
And Peter shows this forcefully in Acts 5:29, "We must obey God rather than men." And that, I think, is the trump card. When it comes to conscience, one must obey the dictates of conscience over any government mandate. This may be simply eschewing things which are legal (abortion, adultery, devil worship, and (in some states) prostitution and gay marriage), but it also may lead one to defy direct orders. Some servicemen and women may disobey their orders to go fight in wars they deem theologically unjust. In fact, these people are known as "conscientious objectors."
Early on, the first Christians would rather suffer death than kowtow to Caesar in a political act of worship required of all in the Roman Empire. This is a good example of obeying God (do not worship anyone but God) rather than the government (worship Caesar).
So, in summation, the Bible (and the Catholic tradition) claim that obeying civil authority is a Christian duty EXCEPT when the government asks us to do something againt our consciences. Then, we must, for the sake of our salvation, say with Peter, "We must obey God rather then men."
I do hope this helps (and I apologize for my tardiness in answering this question).
Grace and Peace,
Fr. Chris
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