Romans 13:3-5 ESV
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.
In that this verse had to be written is an indication of the evil that is within the heart of man. We who are evil do not want to be subject to authority by nature. But instead our nature is to simply do what would seem good to us. We naturally reject authority. Thus we fear authority because it will discipline us for rebelling and doing our own thing. We fear because we are sinful. Sin wants to satisfy itself. Holiness wants to satisfy God. There is nothing to fear for those who submit to God’s authority. Submit and do what is good and you will live without fear. Fear is overcome through love and obedience. Submit and obey to the authorities that be and live in peace. Those in authority were given that authority by God. Therefore submit to authority. The one who lives well and is not easily angered is the same who fears God and is submissive to authorities over them.
A walk in the Word 