Romans 13

Romans 13

13 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. ⁴ For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. ⁵ Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. ⁷ Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

This section Paul is focusing on our relationship with the government. 

every soul- everyone

be subject- Submit

governing authorities- Those above him

except from God-God puts leaders in place, not man. 

except from God– Stand in opposition

judgment on themselves. – by god for opposing his chosen leader

not bear the sword in vain- this is symbolic for the punishment he (the ruler) can dole out.

for conscience’ sake- Respect for Gods authority and the fact that God put this person in charge. 

for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. – God gave them a job to carry out, our job is to be good and faithful citizens. 

taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.- Paul is pointing out all aspects of government life,.. taxes on land, taxes on merchandise, respect to those in authority and respect for those in power and distinction. 

⁸ Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹ For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Owe no one anything-  We should strive to not own other people anything.

love one another- This verse is not talking about debt, it mentions it but the real issue is that we are to be in a const state of owning people love. 

fulfilled the law-  The duty of the jew was to the law, by loving others we fulfill the duty we owe to the law. 

Commandments- 7, 6, 8, 10.

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” –  Matt 22:39.  This is what Jesus taught.  This is not something new. 

¹⁰ Love does no harm to a neighbor- This is what Paul has been talking about love does not do or continue to do evil.  It is always looking out of others.

love is the fulfillment of the law.-True love is only seen in Jesus. 

¹¹ And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. ¹² The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. ¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

In this section paul deals with our relationship with others in light of the future hope that we have

that now it is high time -The time has come, it is here right now. 

to awake out of sleep- being indifferent to etranal values.  Being a living sacrifice

our salvation-Eternal life

nearer-Every day we are one step closer

The night is far spent- Time before the coming of the Lord 2 Peter 1:19

day is at hand– The victory over the night

works of darkness- The deeds of the flesh

the armor of light- Eph 6:11-18

¹³ Let us walk properly-  We walk as Children of the light not dark

put on the Lord Jesus Christ – 2 Co 3:3; Ga 3:27; Eph 4:24  be living sacrifices

make no provision- Don’t plan or excuse

flesh, to fulfill its lusts- 1 Cor 10:13.  We know our weakness let us not lean into it.