Why is it wrong to resist authorities?

Paul’s statement in Romans 13:2, namely that whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment, must be understood in light of Romans 12:19: Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Decoupling Romans 13:1–2 from Romans 12:9–21 can lead to the misinterpretation that Paul is here prescribing a slavish, uncritical attitude toward authorities. When his statement is viewed in connection with the preceding passage it becomes clear that the fact that Christians ought not avenge themselves but rather try to maintain peace with others as much as possible, entails that they are also specifically called to apply this principle in situations in which things are rightly or wrongly demanded of them from people in authority. They can do this in confidence, for God has the last word concerning all injustice. He will administer justice impartially, for vengeance belongs to him. Christians are called to overcome evil through doing good (Romans 12:9, Romans 12:21), and this also applies to our interactions with authorities who demand obedience from us.¹