The Bullet Point Bible

Romans 13

Submission to Governing Authorities

1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God's appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.2 So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment3 (for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation4 because it is God's servant for your well-being. But be afraid if you do wrong because government does not bear the sword for nothing. It is God's servant to administer punishment on the person who does wrong.5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience.6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants devoted to governing.7 Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

  • Theological Foundation: All human authority ultimately derives its legitimacy from God (Romans 13:1).
  • Christian Duty: Submission to governing authorities is presented as submission to God's ordained structure (Romans 13:2).
  • Purpose of Government: Rulers are described as "God's servant" (Greek: *theou diakonos*), intended to promote good conduct and restrain evil (Romans 13:3-4).
  • The "Sword": This likely refers to the government's legitimate authority to enforce laws and punish wrongdoing, including capital punishment in Roman context (Romans 13:4).
  • Motivation for Submission: Obedience should stem not just from fear of punishment ("wrath") but also from a clear conscience recognizing God's design (Romans 13:5).
  • Practical Application: This principle extends to civic duties like paying taxes and showing appropriate respect and honor to officials (Romans 13:6-7).
  • Historical Context: Paul wrote this during the early, relatively stable period of Emperor Nero's reign, though the principles apply broadly.
  • Interpretive Consideration: This passage establishes a general rule. Other scriptures suggest limits when government commands contradict God's direct commands (Acts 5:29).
  • Connection: This teaching aligns with similar instructions found in 1 Peter 2:13-17.
  • Role in Argument: This section applies the gospel's transforming power to the believer's relationship with civil society, following discussions on internal church life and dealing with outsiders.
Love Fulfills the Law

8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.9 For the commandments, " Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet, " (and if there is any other commandment) are summed up in this, " Love your neighbor as yourself ."10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

  • Central Commandment: The only ongoing obligation believers have is to love one another (Romans 13:8).
  • Love as Fulfillment: Paul argues that genuine love for others inherently fulfills the requirements of God's law concerning interpersonal relationships (Romans 13:8, 10).
  • Echoes of Jesus: This concept directly reflects Jesus's teaching on the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-40) and the summary of the law found in Leviticus 19:18.
  • Decalogue Examples: Paul cites specific commandments from the second half of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:13-17) that deal with neighborly conduct (Romans 13:9).
  • Summation Principle: The command "{{Love your neighbor as yourself}}" (Leviticus 19:18) encapsulates the essence of all commandments regarding others (Romans 13:9).
  • Nature of Love: Love is defined by its action – it inherently avoids harming others ("Love does no wrong to a neighbor") (Romans 13:10).
  • Greek Term: "Fulfilled" (Greek: *peplērōken*) and "fulfillment" (Greek: *plērōma*) suggest that love embodies the full intent and purpose of the law.
  • Ethical Framework: Love becomes the guiding principle for Christian ethics, moving beyond mere rule-keeping to active care for others.
  • Continuity and Shift: While affirming the law's moral core, Paul emphasizes that love is the means by which its intent is truly met in the new covenant era.
Urgency: Living in Light of the Coming Day

11 And do this because we know the time, that it is already the hour for us to awake from sleep, for our salvation is now nearer than when we became believers.12 The night has advanced toward dawn; the day is near. So then we must lay aside the works of darkness, and put on the weapons of light.13 Let us live decently as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in discord and jealousy.14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to arouse its desires.

  • Eschatological Motivation: Awareness of the "time" – the nearness of Christ's return and the consummation of salvation – should motivate urgent, righteous living (Romans 13:11).
  • Metaphor of Time: Paul contrasts "night" (the present age characterized by sin and ignorance) with the approaching "day" (the age of salvation fully realized) (Romans 13:12).
  • Call to Action: Believers must actively "wake up," "lay aside" sinful behaviors ("deeds of darkness"), and "put on" righteousness ("armor of light") (Romans 13:11-12).
  • "Armor of Light": This metaphor suggests spiritual preparedness, protection, and active engagement in doing good, contrasting with vulnerability in darkness.
  • Specific Sins to Avoid: Paul lists examples of "deeds of darkness," including excessive indulgence (carousing, drunkenness), sexual sin (immorality, sensuality), and relational strife (discord, jealousy) (Romans 13:13).
  • Positive Command: The ultimate action is to "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ," signifying identification with Christ, adopting his character, and relying on his strength (Romans 13:14).
  • Denying the Flesh: Complementary to putting on Christ is the refusal to cater to or plan for sinful desires ("make no provision for the flesh") (Romans 13:14).
  • Connection to Baptism: The imagery of putting off old ways and putting on Christ echoes baptismal themes found elsewhere (Galatians 3:27, Colossians 3:8-14).
  • Historical Significance: Romans 13:13-14 played a pivotal role in the conversion of Augustine of Hippo, highlighting the passage's transformative power.
  • Overall Theme: This concluding section urges believers to live holy lives consistent with their future hope, driven by love and empowered by Christ.

The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® https://netbible.org copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved

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