The Epistles · Chapter 13 of 16

Romans 13

Paul teaches submission to governing authorities as ordained by God, existing to restrain evil and reward good, so believers pay taxes and give respect for conscience' sake. He then reduces the whole moral law to love of neighbor, which works no harm and fulfills the law. Because salvation is nearer than ever, he calls believers to wake, cast off the works of darkness, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

What happens in Romans 13

Paul instructs every person to be subject to the higher powers, since all authority is ordained by God and resisting it resists God's ordinance. Rulers are a terror not to good conduct but to evil; the authority is God's servant to reward good and bear the sword against wrongdoing. So believers must submit not only to avoid wrath but for conscience' sake, paying taxes and customs and rendering fear and honor where they are due. Paul then names the debt never fully paid: to love one another.

He lists commandments against adultery, killing, stealing, and coveting, all summed up in loving your neighbor as yourself, for love does no harm and so fulfills the law. He adds urgency: salvation is nearer than when they believed, the night far spent, the day at hand. So they must cast off the works of darkness, put on the armor of light, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 13 in context

After eleven chapters of doctrine and the call to renewed, sacrificial living in chapter twelve, Paul applies the transformed life to the public and civic realm. Written to believers in the capital of the empire, chapter thirteen addresses how Christians relate to Roman authority and to one another, framed by the nearness of Christ's return, which gives moral urgency to ordinary obedience.

Main themes of Romans 13

Romans 13 (KJV)

1Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Verses to carry from Romans 13

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”Romans 13:1

“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”Romans 13:8

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”Romans 13:14

Reflection

Paul ties the ordinary duties of taxes and respect to the highest reality of belonging to Christ, refusing to separate public conduct from inner devotion. Ask where you have treated love as optional or holiness as something for later.

The day is nearer now than when you began; how might you wake, and what would it mean today to put on Christ?

A prayer from Romans 13