What are the obligations of Christians towards the state?

Christians fulfill their obligations towards the state and towards their fellow citizens not out of fear of the law, but out of self-giving love that gives more than what is asked, with joy and delight. Christians vie with others in giving, not in receiving; without seeking praise or reward. St. Justin Martyr says, “And everywhere we, more readily than all men, endeavour to pay to those appointed by you the taxes both ordinary and extraordinary, as we have been taught by Him.”⁸⁹⁸

Christian do not try to evade the laws or regulations that rule the home, school, work, or institution to which they belong, nor those of the state or society. They consider obedience to the law as fellowship with the Lord Christ, who out of His love for us obeyed, and even obeyed Saints Mary and Joseph the Carpenter, who were His own creation.

896 Tertullian, Apology 39 (ANF 3:46–47).

897 Tertullian, Apology 39 (ANF 3:46).

898 St. Justin Martyr, First Apology 17 (ANF 1:168).

Tatian (second century) declared that he was ready to pay his taxes and to serve and obey the emperor, but not to pay the tribute of worship to him because “man is to be honoured as a fellow-man; God alone is to be feared.”⁸⁹⁹