DRAWING NEAR
Do you think it’s important to be a good citizen? Why?
Is there ever a time you would not obey the law? Explain.
THE CONTEXT
The first eleven chapters of this epistle (in particular chapters 1–8) explain in marvelous detail what it means to be saved—justified by God’s grace working through faith. This monumental miracle of salvation impacts every relationship of the believer. When we are saved, our initial response should be to fully present our “bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is [our] spiritual service of worship.” The apostle’s next concern is for having right relationships in the church with brothers and sisters in Christ, and even with enemies.
After dealing with these matters, Paul focuses on the need to have right relationships in the world. First, we must demonstrate respect for governing authorities. Second, we must love our neighbors and live holy lives that will stand out against the dark backdrop of a world without God.
KEYS TO THE TEXT
Taxes: The Greek word referred specifically to taxes paid by individuals, particularly those living in a conquered nation to their foreign rulers—which makes the tax even more onerous. That tax was usually a combined income and property tax. In this context, however, Paul uses the term in the broadest possible sense to speak of all kinds of taxes. Jesus explicitly taught that taxes are to be paid—even to the pagan Roman government (Matt. 22:17–21). He also set an example by willingly paying the temple tax (Matt. 17:24–27).
Cast Off Darkness/Put On the Lord Jesus Christ: This phrase summarizes sanctification, the continuing spiritual process in which those who have been saved by faith are transformed into Christ’s image and likeness. The image Paul uses to describe that process is taking off and putting on clothing, which is symbolic of thoughts and behavior. Like one who removes his dirty clothes at day’s end, believers must discard the filthy garments of their old, sinful lives, and dress themselves in Christ’s righteousness.
UNLEASHING THE TEXT
Read 13:1–14, noting the key words and definitions next to the passage.
Romans 13:1–14 (NKJV)
1 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.
be subject (v. 1)—used elsewhere of a soldier’s absolute obedience to his superior officer
no authority except from God (v. 1)—As the Sovereign of the universe, God established the various authority structures (government, family, church, employer).
2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
resists the ordinance of God (v. 2)—To disobey the government is to disregard that which has been ordained of God.
judgment (v. 2)—temporal, at the hands of the human authorities
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.
Do what is good . . . have praise (v. 3)—Law-abiding citizens do not normally need to fear punishment.
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.
God’s minister . . . for good (v. 4)—to restrain evil and promote domestic peace
bear the sword (v. 4)—Government has a divine right to execute justice on lawbreakers, even capital punishment.
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.
Render (v. 7)—A Greek word signifying the payment of something owed; not a voluntary contribution, but something due.
customs (v. 7)—tolls or taxes on goods
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Owe no one anything (v. 8)—not a prohibition against borrowing altogether, but an exhortation to pay debts in a timely fashion
love one another (v. 8)—non-Christians as well as fellow believers
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.
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.
sleep (v. 11)—spiritual lethargy and apathy; non-responsiveness to the things of God
our salvation is nearer (v. 11)—Not the element of justification (a present possession), but the time of our glorification; that is, Christ is coming back.
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.
cast off (v. 12)—an exhortation to repent and get rid of sins
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
revelry (v. 13)—wild parties, sexual orgies, brawls, riots
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
make no provision (v. 14)—Do not plan ahead or give forethought to sin.
1) What contrasts does Paul make between Christians and the world?
2) What are the God-ordained consequences of defying government authority?
3) How does Paul use some of the Ten Commandments to demonstrate that love is the fulfillment of the law?
4) What facts does Paul use to motivate the believers in Rome to forsake sin and live righteously? Why are we to submit?
GOING DEEPER
In the Old Testament the Israelites were taken captive by the Assyrian empire. Three devout Jewish men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, refused to serve or worship the golden idol the king had set up. Read what happened.
Daniel 3:14–30 (NKJV)
14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?
15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.
18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.
20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
22 Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”
25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire.
27 And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.
28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!
29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.
EXPLORING THE MEANING
5) How did the public stance of the three God-fearing Jews enhance God’s reputation?
6) Read Acts 5:28–29. What exception, if any, is there to the divine command to “be subject to the governing authorities” (13:1)?
7) What does it mean to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (13:14)?
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Believers are to be model citizens, known as law abiding, not rabble-rousing, obedient rather than rebellious, respectful of government rather than demeaning of it. We must speak against sin, against injustice, against immorality and ungodliness with fearful dedication, but we must do it within the framework of civil law and with respect for civil authorities. We are to be a godly society, doing good and living peaceably within an ungodly society, manifesting our transformed lives so that the saving power of God is seen clearly.
REFLECTING ON THE TEXT
8) What happens to the message of the gospel and the reputation of God and His people when Christians are belligerent and disrespectful in the public sector?
9) When you consider your current set of elected officials (federal, state, and local), is it easy for you to want to subject yourself to their authority? Do you resent paying taxes to the current administration? Why or why not?
10) What if an official is corrupt, unlikable, or disreputable? What are our options as believers?
11) Write down the names of three government officials for whom you can pray this week. If you wish, write them a note expressing your support and gratitude.
PERSONAL RESPONSE
Write out additional reflections, questions you may have, or a prayer.
ADDITIONAL NOTES