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.

Submission to Governing Authorities

1
Everyone is to obey the governing authorities. For there is no authority that is not from God, and the existing authorities have been placed where they are by God. ​
2
Therefore, whoever resists the authorities is resisting what God has instituted; and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. ​
3
For rulers are no terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you like to be unafraid of the person in authority? Then simply do what is good, and you will win his approval;
4
for he is God’s servant, there for your benefit. But if you do what is wrong, be afraid! Because it is not for nothing that he holds the power of the sword; for he is God’s servant, there as an avenger to punish wrongdoers. ​
5
Another reason to obey, besides fear of punishment, is for the sake of conscience. ​
6
This is also why you pay taxes; for the authorities are God’s public officials, constantly attending to these duties. ​
7
Pay everyone what he is owed: if you owe the tax-collector, pay your taxes; if you owe the revenue-collector, pay revenue; if you owe someone respect, pay him respect; if you owe someone honor, pay him honor. ​

Love Fulfills the Law

8
Don’t owe anyone anything — except to love one another; for whoever loves his fellow human being has fulfilled Torah. ​
9
For the commandments, “Don’t commit adultery,” “Don’t murder,” “Don’t steal,” “Don’t covet,” and any others are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
10
Love does not do harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fullness of Torah. ​

Wake Up: The Day Is Near

11
Besides all this, you know at what point of history we stand; so it is high time for you to rouse yourselves from sleep; for the final deliverance is nearer than when we first came to trust. ​
12
The night is almost over, the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and arm ourselves with the weapons of light. ​
13
Let us live properly, as people do in the daytime — not partying and getting drunk, not engaging in sexual immorality and other excesses, not quarrelling and being jealous. ​
14
Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Yeshua the Messiah; and don’t waste your time thinking about how to provide for the sinful desires of your old nature. ​

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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