Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?

Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.

For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

The children of God are "strangers and pilgrims [exiles]" (Heb 11:13) in the world. Our citizenship is in heaven. But what is the Christian to do as living under different forms of government? The Christian is to be in subjection to these, for the powers that exist are ordained by Him. Resisting these powers would mean resistance to God who has ordained them. They are God's ministers to maintain order. "Render [pay] therefore to all their dues, tribute [tax] to whom tribute [tax] is due; custom to whom custom; fear [respect] to whom fear [respect]; honor to whom honor." (Romans 13:7) If Christians had always obeyed these injunctions, how well it would have been. But often they are forgotten and an attempt is made to control and be immersed into the politics of this age.

Arno Gaebelein Annotated Bible: Romans chapter 13