The Book of Romans, Chapter 13 – Be Subject to Government

 

The Book of Romans, Chapter 13

Be Subject to Government

Romans 13 continues Paul’s teaching in Romans 12 about what a transformed Christian life looks like in practice. Chapter 12 emphasizes our relationship to God, fellow believers, and even our enemies; chapter 13 extends that transformed life into our relationship with government, society, and our neighbors. We read to apply these scriptures. However, there are at least two important questions which would help us properly frame this chapter: (1). Why should we do as Paul instructs (i.e., what is our motivation?); (2). Why is discretionary obedience important?

Be Subject to Government

Romans 13:1, Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Verse 2. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. Verse 3. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; verse 4, for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Verse 5. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for the sake of conscience. Verse 6. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Verse 7. Pay to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.

(Commentary Break): Paul teaches that Christians should recognize the legitimate authority of government and ordinarily submit to governing authorities, because God has established government as an institution for maintaining order and restraining wrongdoing. The Christian therefore should, obey legitimate laws, pay taxes and other obligations, give respect and honor where they are due, and recognize government’s responsibility to punish wrongdoing and promote civil order.

Christians living under Rome’s pagan imperial rule showed that submission does not depend on a government’s religious character or personal appeal, and that civil obedience has a limit. When rulers command what God forbids or forbid what God commands, disciples must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). Such obedience to God may bring suffering, but it must be marked by truthfulness and respect rather than rebellion. Scripture itself records believers refusing sinful governmental commands (Acts 5:29). God alone possesses ultimate authority, and no ruler governs outside His sovereign knowledge and purpose. He raises up kings and removes them according to His wisdom (Daniel 2:21). Earthly governments may act unjustly and will answer to God for their deeds, yet their failures do not overthrow His rule. The Lord used pagan rulers such as Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus to accomplish His purposes, and He remains Lord over every nation and age.

A DEEPER THOUGHT: We can recap these verses by asking, “what is my motivation for obeying this teaching by Paul”? First and foremost, the Bible instructs us to obey God’s Word; with discernment, but we obey because this is what Christians are to be and to do. Secondly, the stronger ‘motivation’ is that Jesus, the Living Logos, The Word, is the way to life. “I came that you might have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10b). (End Commentary Break).

Verse 8. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled 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 saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” Verse 10. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.

(Commentary Break): There are many ways and places that Christians skirt or even abrogate God’s Word and justify it using their flawed human logic because they desire things of this world more than the safety and blessings of God’s designed ways. This may seem like an aside from the clear intent of these verses, but verse 8 is just one of these commands that Christians often ignore and that is to “owe nothing to anyone except to love one another”.
Staying out of debt can be understood not merely as a financial strategy but as part of maintaining freedom to serve God and fulfill one’s responsibilities. And, although the Bible does not teach that every form of borrowing is inherently sinful, its overall emphasis is strongly toward freedom from debt, financial responsibility, contentment, and stewardship. The point is not necessarily that borrowing itself is sinful, but that debt places a person under an obligation and reduces financial freedom. Proverbs 22:7 may summarize the practical wisdom best, “The borrower becomes the slave of the lender.” That is a remarkably powerful principle even in modern financial life.
Conversely to financial debt, the Christian life is characterized by a continuing debt of love—because genuine love seeks the good of others and thereby fulfills the moral purpose of God’s law. And, this connects particularly well with Romans 12, where Paul describes what a transformed Christian life looks like in practical relationships with other people. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 11. 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 first believed. Verse 12. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let’s rid ourselves of the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Verse 13. Let’s behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and debauchery, not in strife and jealousy. Verse 14. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

(Commentary Break): This is one of the least understood yet on of the most urgent calls for Christian preparedness. Love for neighbor and obedience to God belong to an urgent hour in God’s redemptive plan. Believers are called to recognize that Christ’s return and the completion of His kingdom draw nearer each day. Like the men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do, God’s people must discern the moral darkness around them and live with faithful clarity.

Now, let’s break this down verse by verse because this is an urgent message:

Verse 11. Do this – re-read the preceding verses for the context of these 2 words);

(Verse 11 continued) – knowing the time, that it is already the hour – An urgent hour in God’s redemptive plan has arrived. Believers are called to recognize that Christ’s return and the completion of His kingdom are at hand, and love for one’s “neighbor” (referring particularly to one’s Chrisian brothers and sisters) and obedience to. Like the men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do, God’s people must discern the moral darkness around them and live with faithful clarity.

Please LISTEN and UNDERSTAND – Put your denomination biases aside and hear the Word of God:

(#1). Jesus calls the first and earliest phase of the tribulation the ‘Birth Pangs’ (Matthew 24:8). Jesus then calls the following intensification or the second phase of the tribulation, the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), also known as the 6th Tribulation Seal (Revelation 6:12-14), and the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord (Joel 2:31), and the Wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16).

Then, in Acts 2:14-17, the Apostle Peter, says, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be…’ (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

1 Peter 1:20, the Apostle Peter, says, “He, (Jesus), was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

1 Peter 4:7, the Apostle Peter, again saying, “The end of all things is at hand.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

2 Peter 3:3. the Apostle Peter, saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

1 Corinthians 10:11, the Apostle Paul, says, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

Hebrews 1:2, the Apostle Paul, says, “but in these last days God has spoken to us by his Son.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

Hebrews 9:26, the Apostle Paul, says, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

These verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS at the time of the birth of Jesus. They have been overlapping events known as The Seals of the Tribulation and they are intensifying and becoming concurrent.

 2 Timothy 3:1, Timothy says, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

1 John 2:18. the Apostle John says, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

Revelation 1:9, The Apostle John, says, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 95 to A.D. 100).

These testimonies clearly tell us that the Last Days, also known as The End of All Things, The End of the Ages, The Last Hour, The Last Times and the tribulation, began at the birth of Christ and these first 5 tribulation Seals have been overlapping and intensifying since those days. (We are still awaiting the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord, the Wrath of the Lamb and the Great Tribulation.

Verse 11 continued – for you to awaken from sleep – Spiritual sleep pictures complacency, compromised conduct, and neglect of the duties of faith. Paul calls Christians to rise into alert, active obedience, rejecting the works of darkness described in the following verses. The coming of Christ demands readiness, not passive expectation. Ephesians 5:14 similarly summons believers to awake so that the light of Christ may shine upon their lives.

Verse 11 continued – for now salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed.

Verse 12. The night is almost gone – Paul portrays the present fallen age as darkness marked by sin, spiritual blindness, and rebellion against God. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, the decisive turning point has already come. Believers no longer belong to the old realm of darkness but await its final passing at Christ’s return.

Verse 12 continued – and the day is near – The coming day includes the visible return of Jesus Christ, the consummation of salvation for His people, and God’s judgment upon evil. Its nearness gives urgency to Christian obedience. God’s people are called to live now in a manner fitting for the kingdom that will soon be fully revealed. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 13. Let’s behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and debauchery, not in strife and jealousy. Verse 14. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

(Commentary Break): Reading these verses at their plain face value should be sufficient. But recognizing their context deepens our understanding and can create a greater sense of urgency within the reader.
“Let’s behave properly as in the day”, once again establishes the proximity of Jesus return and the commencement of His Judgments. (There are varying views on eternal security, election and predestination and most people don’t understand these man-crated doctrines which are an attempt to frame and understand the infinite, inerrant and infallible Word of God. But the can also serve to distract from the plain teachings of the Bible. So, “Let’s behave properly as in the day”. so you too, as you are seeing all these things come to pass, recognize that Jesus is near, right at the door. This era or generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Then the heaven and earth will pass away – but God’s words will not pass away. Now, about that day and hour – no one knows precisely – not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. so will the coming of the Son of Man be.  And finally this caution from Matthew 7:21- 23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [s]miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; LEAVE ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” (End Commentary Break). (End Chapter 13).

In summation, we are living in the Last Days and the day of His return and the day of accountability are at hand and whether you die before He returns or experience that great and glorious day, you will face one of two destinies. Paul is giving the hard facts on what a transformed Christian life looks like in practice but we must remember that is just a reflection of what is in our heart and it is from the heart hat flow the springs of life, influencing thoughts, emotions, and decisions. This highlights the heart as the control center of a person’s inner life and outer behavior. You either follow Him in faithful obedience which is reflected in your behavior or you will hear the words, ‘I never knew you; LEAVE ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” Pray deeply, follow closely, choose wisely.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Next: (Coming Soon). The Book of Romans, Chapter 14, Principals of Conscience.

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