Contradiction with Acts 5:29
Romans 13:6 suggests submitting to authorities because they are God's servants, while Acts 5:29 emphasizes obeying God rather than human authorities.
Acts 5:29: Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Contradiction with Matthew 6:24
Romans 13:6 supports taxes for authorities as servants of God, whereas Matthew 6:24 teaches that one cannot serve both God and money.
Matthew 6:24: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Contradiction with Revelation 13:7
Romans 13:6 implies that authorities are to be obeyed as God's servants, while Revelation 13:7 describes a power opposing God that is given authority over people.
Revelation 13:7: And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Contradiction with Exodus 1:17
Romans 13:6 supports obedience to authorities, yet Exodus 1:17 shows the Hebrew midwives disobeying Pharaoh's orders, being commended for fearing God instead.
Exodus 1:17: But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.
Contradiction with Daniel 3:18
Romans 13:6 calls for submission to authorities as they serve God, but Daniel 3:18 tells of refusing to obey the king's command, prioritizing faithfulness to God.
Daniel 3:18: But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Paradox #1
Romans 13:6 can be seen as conflicting with the idea that human governments are sometimes unjust or oppressive. The verse suggests supporting and respecting governing authorities, which could be difficult to reconcile with a government that acts against moral or divine laws. This creates tension between obeying human laws and following God's commands when the two seem to conflict.
Paradox #2
Romans 13:6 suggests that paying taxes is a duty because authorities are serving God. A potential conflict could be with Christians who believe they should only answer to God and not earthly authorities, especially if those authorities are unjust. This could create tension between obeying government laws and following one's personal religious convictions.
Paradox #3
A potential contradiction in Romans 13:6 could arise if someone believes that paying taxes or supporting governing authorities, which the verse encourages, conflicts with their personal or religious beliefs, especially if they view government actions as unjust or immoral. This could create a conflict between following civil law and following one's moral or religious convictions.