Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Romans 13 is a powerful and practical chapter that builds upon the themes of transformation and service introduced in Romans 12. It addresses a crucial question for Christians: How do we live in the world, engaging with earthly authorities, while remaining true to our allegiance to God's Kingdom? Paul offers guidance on submission to governing authorities, fulfilling our obligations to one another, and living with a sense of urgency in light of Christ's return.
Submission to Governing Authorities (Romans 13:1-7)
Paul begins with what might seem like a surprising command: "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established" (Romans 13:1). This doesn't mean that every government is perfect or just, but rather that God, in His sovereignty, has established the framework of human government for order and the restraint of evil.
Tony Evans points out that God has ordained a system of covenants, with leadership roles in various spheres, including government. These leaders are meant to serve for the good of those under their authority, not to "lord it over" them.
Therefore, to resist legitimate authority is, in a sense, to resist God's own design (Romans 13:2). Paul emphasizes that authorities are "God's servants" (Romans 13:4), acting as agents to maintain order and punish wrongdoing (Romans 13:3-4). This is a concise definition of the role of civil government: resist evil and promote good. The problem lies in defining evil and good. Much of the time, what the government promotes as good aligns with the Bible. But when it doesn’t, we must do what is good before God and trust him with the political results. God and his Word give us the definitive standard of what should be viewed as right and wrong. The biblical responsibility of civil government is to maintain a safe, just, righteous, and compassionately responsible environment in which freedom can flourish.
This understanding should motivate us to submit not just out of fear of punishment, but out of a sense of duty and conscience (Romans 13:5). This also extends to practical matters like paying taxes, which support the very structures God has ordained (Romans 13:6-7). As Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" (Matthew 22:21). We owe government leaders our taxes. We owe them earthly honor. But both Paul and Jesus remind us that we must never give them our hearts. They cannot have our ultimate allegiance, since we are created in the image of God and not in the image of government rulers. God is above all.
It's important to acknowledge the tension here. What happens when government commands contradict God's commands? The example of the apostles in Acts 5:29, who chose to obey God rather than human authority, provides a crucial principle. While we submit to the consequences of our actions, our ultimate allegiance is to God. Paul's teaching emphasizes submission and subjection, but not necessarily blind obedience. We must discern when obedience to human authority would mean disobedience to God.
The Debt of Love (Romans 13:8-10)
Having addressed our obligations to government, Paul turns to our obligations to one another: "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another" (Romans 13:8). This debt of love is one we can never fully repay. Biblical love, as Paul showed in chapter 12, is the decision to compassionately and righteously seek the benefit and wellbeing of another. We owe that to others without end, because that kind of love is the underlying factor in all of God’s horizontal commandments: Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not covet (Romans 13:9). This is why Paul, again echoing Jesus, calls the command to love your neighbor as yourself . . . the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:9-10). The way Jesus put it was to say that “all the Law and the Prophets depend” on two commands: (1) Love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind; (2) love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40).
Love is not merely a feeling, but a commitment to actively seek the well-being of others. When we love our neighbors as ourselves, we will naturally avoid actions that harm them (Romans 13:10). Love fulfills the law by going beyond mere adherence to rules; it embodies the spirit of the law, seeking the good of all.
Living in the Light of Christ's Return (Romans 13:11-14)
Paul concludes this chapter with an urgent call to action, motivated by the imminence of Christ's return: "The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11).
We must live in light of Jesus’s imminent return, which is nearer than when we first believed. Doing so means we wake up from sleep, the spiritual lethargy that plagues so many people in our churches. God didn’t save us just for heaven after we die, but to experience his salvation in history. To experience that salvation is to be spared from the consequences of our sins.
The "night" of sin and darkness is passing, and the "day" of Christ's return is drawing near. Therefore, we must "put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light" (Romans 13:12). Too many Christians trust God enough to take them to heaven, but not enough to guide their lives daily. Thus, their lives look like the darkness around them, filled with drunkenness and sexual impurity and quarreling and jealousy (Romans 13:13). Paul reminds us that Jesus is returning quickly, and when he does, both the darkness and the deeds of darkness will be judged without mercy. So stop being spiritually sleepy, and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12).
This involves actively choosing righteousness and rejecting sin. Paul specifically mentions behaviors like "carousing and drunkenness, sexual immorality and debauchery, dissension and jealousy" (Romans 13:13), urging believers to turn away from these destructive patterns.
Instead, we are to "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh" (Romans 13:14). We put on the armor of light in two ways—one positive and one negative. Positively, we put on the Lord Jesus Christ, living by faith in him, studying his Word, and seeking to reflect him in our actions. Negatively, we don’t make plans to gratify the desires of the flesh, which would counteract being clothed in Christ. Imagine you just put on your best suit or dress for church. As you’re walking to service, you notice a shortcut—but it’s through a back alley and involves climbing through two dumpsters. Do you take that route? No! That dirty environment would foul your pristine clothes. Put on the purity of Christ and don’t climb through the dumpsters of sin.
"Putting on Christ" means living in accordance with His character, allowing His Spirit to guide our thoughts, words, and actions. It's a conscious decision to align our lives with His will, rather than indulging our selfish desires.
Romans 13 challenges us to live as responsible citizens of both heaven and earth. It calls us to honor governing authorities, fulfill our obligations to one another, and live with a sense of urgency in light of Christ's return. By embracing these principles, we can be a light in a dark world, demonstrating the transformative power of God's love and grace.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Romans 13 is a powerful and practical chapter that builds upon the themes of transformation and service introduced in Romans 12. It addresses a crucial question for Christians: How do we live in the world, engaging with earthly authorities, while remaining true to our allegiance to God's Kingdom? Paul offers guidance on submission to governing authorities, fulfilling our obligations to one another, and living with a sense of urgency in light of Christ's return.
Submission to Governing Authorities (Romans 13:1-7)
Paul begins with what might seem like a surprising command: "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established" (Romans 13:1). This doesn't mean that every government is perfect or just, but rather that God, in His sovereignty, has established the framework of human government for order and the restraint of evil.
Tony Evans points out that God has ordained a system of covenants, with leadership roles in various spheres, including government. These leaders are meant to serve for the good of those under their authority, not to "lord it over" them.
Therefore, to resist legitimate authority is, in a sense, to resist God's own design (Romans 13:2). Paul emphasizes that authorities are "God's servants" (Romans 13:4), acting as agents to maintain order and punish wrongdoing (Romans 13:3-4). This is a concise definition of the role of civil government: resist evil and promote good. The problem lies in defining evil and good. Much of the time, what the government promotes as good aligns with the Bible. But when it doesn’t, we must do what is good before God and trust him with the political results. God and his Word give us the definitive standard of what should be viewed as right and wrong. The biblical responsibility of civil government is to maintain a safe, just, righteous, and compassionately responsible environment in which freedom can flourish.
This understanding should motivate us to submit not just out of fear of punishment, but out of a sense of duty and conscience (Romans 13:5). This also extends to practical matters like paying taxes, which support the very structures God has ordained (Romans 13:6-7). As Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" (Matthew 22:21). We owe government leaders our taxes. We owe them earthly honor. But both Paul and Jesus remind us that we must never give them our hearts. They cannot have our ultimate allegiance, since we are created in the image of God and not in the image of government rulers. God is above all.
It's important to acknowledge the tension here. What happens when government commands contradict God's commands? The example of the apostles in Acts 5:29, who chose to obey God rather than human authority, provides a crucial principle. While we submit to the consequences of our actions, our ultimate allegiance is to God. Paul's teaching emphasizes submission and subjection, but not necessarily blind obedience. We must discern when obedience to human authority would mean disobedience to God.
The Debt of Love (Romans 13:8-10)
Having addressed our obligations to government, Paul turns to our obligations to one another: "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another" (Romans 13:8). This debt of love is one we can never fully repay. Biblical love, as Paul showed in chapter 12, is the decision to compassionately and righteously seek the benefit and wellbeing of another. We owe that to others without end, because that kind of love is the underlying factor in all of God’s horizontal commandments: Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not covet (Romans 13:9). This is why Paul, again echoing Jesus, calls the command to love your neighbor as yourself . . . the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:9-10). The way Jesus put it was to say that “all the Law and the Prophets depend” on two commands: (1) Love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind; (2) love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40).
Love is not merely a feeling, but a commitment to actively seek the well-being of others. When we love our neighbors as ourselves, we will naturally avoid actions that harm them (Romans 13:10). Love fulfills the law by going beyond mere adherence to rules; it embodies the spirit of the law, seeking the good of all.
Living in the Light of Christ's Return (Romans 13:11-14)
Paul concludes this chapter with an urgent call to action, motivated by the imminence of Christ's return: "The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11).
We must live in light of Jesus’s imminent return, which is nearer than when we first believed. Doing so means we wake up from sleep, the spiritual lethargy that plagues so many people in our churches. God didn’t save us just for heaven after we die, but to experience his salvation in history. To experience that salvation is to be spared from the consequences of our sins.
The "night" of sin and darkness is passing, and the "day" of Christ's return is drawing near. Therefore, we must "put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light" (Romans 13:12). Too many Christians trust God enough to take them to heaven, but not enough to guide their lives daily. Thus, their lives look like the darkness around them, filled with drunkenness and sexual impurity and quarreling and jealousy (Romans 13:13). Paul reminds us that Jesus is returning quickly, and when he does, both the darkness and the deeds of darkness will be judged without mercy. So stop being spiritually sleepy, and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12).
This involves actively choosing righteousness and rejecting sin. Paul specifically mentions behaviors like "carousing and drunkenness, sexual immorality and debauchery, dissension and jealousy" (Romans 13:13), urging believers to turn away from these destructive patterns.
Instead, we are to "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh" (Romans 13:14). We put on the armor of light in two ways—one positive and one negative. Positively, we put on the Lord Jesus Christ, living by faith in him, studying his Word, and seeking to reflect him in our actions. Negatively, we don’t make plans to gratify the desires of the flesh, which would counteract being clothed in Christ. Imagine you just put on your best suit or dress for church. As you’re walking to service, you notice a shortcut—but it’s through a back alley and involves climbing through two dumpsters. Do you take that route? No! That dirty environment would foul your pristine clothes. Put on the purity of Christ and don’t climb through the dumpsters of sin.
"Putting on Christ" means living in accordance with His character, allowing His Spirit to guide our thoughts, words, and actions. It's a conscious decision to align our lives with His will, rather than indulging our selfish desires.
Romans 13 challenges us to live as responsible citizens of both heaven and earth. It calls us to honor governing authorities, fulfill our obligations to one another, and live with a sense of urgency in light of Christ's return. By embracing these principles, we can be a light in a dark world, demonstrating the transformative power of God's love and grace.