How does Holy Scripture speak of the honor due to civil authorities?
“Let every human being be in subjection to the higher authorities because there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. Therefore, whoever opposes the authority opposes the ordinance of God, and rebels” (Rom 13:1–2; see Q514, Q530). The Apostle wrote these words under pagan emperors, teaching that the order of authority itself, though its holders may abuse it, belongs to God’s providential care for human life.
“Therefore, you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for the sake of conscience” (Rom 13:5; see Q567): Christian obedience is not the calculation of fear but an act of reverence toward the order God upholds, rendered freely, from within, by a conscience formed in the fear of God.
“My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not disobey either of them” (Prv 24:21). The pairing is instructive, and so is the order: the fear of the LORD stands first, and the honor of the king lives within it, never above it or against it.
“Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mat 22:21; see Q567). The Fathers loved to complete the Lord’s logic: the coin bears Caesar’s image, and so is rendered to Caesar; but man bears God’s image, therefore render yourself to God (cf. Tertullian, On Idolatry, 15; St John Chrysostom, Homily 70 on Matthew; see Q011, Q017).
“Honor everyone. Love the family of brethren. Fear God. Honor the king” (1Pe 2:17; see Q514, Q562). St Peter wrote this under Nero, the first persecutor, proof that the honor commanded is no flattery of good rulers only, but a discipline of the Christian heart; and here too the order speaks: God is feared, the emperor is honored, and the fear bounds the honor.
