Two Reasons

“Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.” -Romans 13:5

Paul gives two reasons to obey the magistrate: to avoid God’s wrath and to avoid a guilty conscience. In this case God’s wrath is understood as magistrate’s work of carrying out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Our consciences accuse us when we are not living in subjection to God. In other words, we should obey the magistrate out of a heart of pure worship toward God. Peter says similar:

“in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” -1 Peter 3:15–16