Bible Study Romans 13: 1-14

 

Commentary of the Book of the Romans

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Romans 13: 1-14

Text:

Be Subject to Government

13 Every [a]person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except [b]from God, and those which exist have been appointed by God. 2 Therefore [c]whoever resists that authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for [d]good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of that authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword in vain, for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of that wrath, but also because of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves [e]his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does not work evil against a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.

11 And do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now [f]salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12 The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 1: “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist have been appointed by God.”

The submission of Christians to governing authorities is based on a unique recognition: that God is the ultimate source of all government in society. The government role is to insure the freedom of religion without establishing any specific religion. In the USA, much has been said about Thomas Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptists. The Baptists had concerns about the government favoring one religion over another. Jefferson’s response spoke of a “wall of separation” between the church and the state. The idea was not to keep the church out of the state, but rather to keep the government from the church.

Verse 2: “Therefore whoever resists that authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.”

Disobeying the government is viewed as rebellion against God because all governing authority is established by Him. This aligns with teachings in the Jewish Talmud, which state that observing the laws of the land is equivalent to keeping the Torah. In this context, "condemnation" refers not to divine judgment, but rather to the punishment imposed by the government for legal infractions.

Verse 3: “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of that authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same;”

Christians should oppose the failure of government to maintain law and order, as this is its primary function. We are commanded to respect rulers who uphold and enforce the law.

Verse 4: “for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword in vain, for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”

The authority of the state is intended for the good of society; this is its proper function. Paul suggests this can be true in practical terms even when governments do not claim to be Christian. The "sword" represents the power of the state, including the ultimate power of life and death, clearly implying capital punishment. The use of "wrath" indicates that while individuals must not act out of a motive of revenge, the state is justified in taking such action in the pursuit of justice.

Verse 5: “Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of that wrath, but also because of conscience.”

Christians are called to obey the law not merely out of fear of judgment or penalty, but fundamentally as a matter of conscience.

Verse 6: “ For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.”

Because the government is divinely established and requires financial backing, Christians should view paying taxes as an act of devotion to God. This distinctive motive and understanding arise from a conscience informed by divine revelation, making Christian submission to government a matter of spiritual response to their faith. 

Verse 7: “Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.”

A Christian, whose ultimate citizenship is in heaven, is expected to be the best citizen on earth. This requires showing respect for authority and the office, even if the individual holding the position is considered unworthy.

Verse 8: “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”

The command to "Owe nothing to anyone" does not forbid borrowing money, which is both permitted and regulated by Scripture. Believers are instructed to love both fellow Christians and non-Christians. By treating others with the same care we show ourselves, we uphold all of God's laws concerning interpersonal relationships, thereby "fulfill[ing] the law."

Verse 9: “For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

The instruction to "love your neighbor as yourself" is not an endorsement of self-love, but rather a command to extend the same inherent concern one has for oneself, as a creation in God's image, toward others. Fulfilling this commandment means you will refrain from actions such as murder, theft, coveting, or adultery against your neighbor.

Verse 10: “Love does not work evil against a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.”

The complete expression of the law is found in loving your neighbor. I want to emphasize that this kind of love is a fruit of the Spirit.

Verse 11: “And do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.”

“Knowing the time” refers to spiritual discernment rooted in the apprehension of divine revelation. Paul’s stress on the role of the mind is again evident. “Salvation” means final redemption.

Verse 12: “The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

In this passage, Paul refers to the current era as "night." Since "the light of the world" has appeared, we are called to prepare for Christ's Second Coming and the age to follow. The metaphor of the "armor of light" highlights that true spiritual defense requires cultivating positive spiritual attributes, not just avoiding sin.

Verse 13: “Let us walk properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.”

Christians are to conduct themselves with honor, as people who belong to the day. This means avoiding carousing and drunkenness, sexual immorality and wild living, as well as conflict and envy. While much is made of "night life," the believer is defined by a "day life." They are to live and walk as someone who is a part of the light.

Verse 14: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”

Living in accordance with their new identity in Christ, believers must "put on the Lord Jesus Christ." This act further clarifies what it means to "put on the armor of light."