Romans13

Paul instructs believers to be subject to governing authorities, as all power is ordained by God, and rulers are ministers for justice. He then emphasizes that love is the fulfillment of the law, encompassing all commandments towards one's neighbor. Finally, he urges believers to live righteously, casting off works of darkness and putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, recognizing the urgency of their salvation.
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Submission to Governing Authorities

1
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. ​
2
Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ​
3
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.
4
For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. ​
5
Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. ​
6
This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. ​
7
Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. ​

Love Fulfills the Law

8
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. ​
9
The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
10
Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. ​

Wake Up: The Day Is Near

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And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ​
12
The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ​
13
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ​
14
Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. ​

Study Notes for Romans 13

Verse 1

Paul asserts that all human governance derives its authority ultimately from God, a crucial point for Christians living under the Roman Empire, which often demanded ultimate allegiance. This foundational principle limits the state's power while demanding respect.

Verse 2

The resistance mentioned here refers to active rebellion against established civil order, which Paul views as opposition to God’s ordained structure for maintaining peace. The KJV word 'damnation' translates *krima*, meaning judgment or condemnation (civil or divine).

Verse 4

The 'sword' symbolizes the state's legitimate power to enforce law, maintain order, and execute justice, including the use of coercive force. The ruler acts as God's 'minister' (*diakonos*) in this capacity to restrain evil.

Verse 5

Submission is required not merely out of fear of state punishment ('wrath'), but primarily out of moral obligation and conviction ('conscience sake') that this order is divinely established.

Verse 6

This verse reinforces that financial support of the state (taxes and tribute) is a necessary part of Christian submission and responsibility because rulers are 'God’s ministers' dedicated to their difficult task.

Verse 7

This verse summarizes Paul's teaching on civil duty, calling for Christians to fulfill all obligations—financial, respectful, and honorable—to the appropriate authorities, echoing Jesus’ teaching (Matt 22:21).

Verse 8

Having covered civil debts, Paul transitions to the one debt that can never be fully paid: the obligation to love. Love is presented as the primary and ongoing duty of every believer.

Verse 10

Love is the 'fulfilling' or completion of the Law because true love inherently prevents a person from committing the negative actions forbidden by the commandments against one's neighbor.

Verse 11

Paul shifts the motivational basis for ethical living from the Law to eschatology (the nearness of Christ's return). Knowing the shortness of the present age makes righteous action urgent.

Verse 12

The metaphor of 'night' and 'day' contrasts the darkness of the present sinful age with the imminent arrival of Christ's kingdom. Believers must prepare by adopting the virtues, or 'armour of light.'

Verse 13

This section provides practical examples of the 'works of darkness' to be cast off, focusing on excesses of appetite (rioting/drunkenness) and sexual immorality (chambering/wantonness).

Verse 14

This climactic command uses the imagery of clothing (common in early Christian instruction) to mandate that believers must actively embody the character and virtues of Christ, rejecting sinful indulgence.

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