Romans 13
Submission to Civil Government
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.
Believers are not of this world, but they are in the world. Even though believers have spiritual responsibilities, they have civil responsibilities as well.
The Greek word for "person" is ψυχή (psyche), meaning soul or personality. Notice that the Holy Spirit did not use "spirit", but soul. The personality of every believer on earth is to be subject to all governing authorities. When Paul wrote this letter, Emperor Nero was on the throne. He was one of the most godless and ruthless emperors in secular history. Paul commanded the believers to place themselves in subjection to the Roman government, one of the most brutal governments in history.
The Greek word for "subject" is ὑποτάσσω (hupotassow), meaning under God's arrangement. Civll government is the divine arrangement of God. Those in office are ordained by God. This bible doctrine was confirmed in Daniel 2:21, "He (God) changes times and seasons, deposing some kings and establishing others. He gives wisdom to the wise; he imparts knowledge to those with understanding." No man can become king without God's appointment. God will use means such as elections, assassinations, and coronations to place his man in office.
God made an important announcement in government in Daniel 4:17, "This announcement is by the decree of the sentinels; this decision is by the pronouncement of the holy ones, so that those who are alive may understand that the Most High has authority over human kingdoms, and he bestows them on whomever he wishes. He establishes over them even the lowliest of human beings.’ Notice that God often chooses the lowliest of human beings for governmental offices. Often, God will give nations the leader that they deserve.
2 So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment
Those who resist government are resisting God. Those who resist the ordinance will receive discipline from God.
What happens if a believer must serve under a leader such as Adolph Hitler? If the government asks the believer to commit a personal sin that is against the Word of God, then believers are not to do it. They may get arrested and be martyred, but the believers are to make a stand on these issues.
When can a group of believers’ rebel and attempt to overthrow the government? Whenever a government begins to pass laws that are against the Word of God, or they pass laws to censor the Word of God, then believers have the right to rebel.
3 (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 commendation,
The office of the state is to reserve the moral order. It is to stop the spread of evil. It has been given authority by God to do so.
4 for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God’s servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer.
The government is a servant of God in that it suppresses evil. If a believer does wrong against the government, then he may have to face capital punishment. God approves of capital punishment for those who break the law.
5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience.
Believers are to obey the laws of the government so that they do not get executed and lose their ministry. They are also to obey the government to keep their conscience clean. When a believer does not obey the government, then he needs to confess that sin,
6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants devoted to governing.
There are certain services that the state needs to perform. God has given the state the responsibly of collecting taxes. Those who cheat on their taxes are out of the will of God.
7 Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due.
The believer is not to go into debt, because this makes him a slave to the lender. Respect is to be given to the position of the office, but not necessarily the person. If a homo-sexual loving, baby-killing government official is in office, then the office is to be respected, but not the person. The election process should be used to get rid of corrupt and evil government officials who use their power for anti-biblical programs.
Exhortation to Love Neighbors
8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
The believer is not to place himself in debt, especially during the state of a poor economy.
Believers are to show divine love to other believers.
If one shows divine love to other believers, then he has fulfilled the law of Christ.
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.”
Paul quoted only those commandments which deal with the relationship between believers.
10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
It is not wrong to love a neighbor. Love is the end of the fulfillment of the Law.
Motivation to Godly Conduct
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.
The older a believer grows in this life, the closer he is to his new glorified body. It is time for the believer to wake up, because the glorified body of the believer will be arriving very soon.
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.
The believer is to put off darkness just like he would put off dirty clothes. He is to put on the armor of truth.
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.
The believer is not to live in the darkness of the satanic world system. The believer is not to commit fornication or adultery, which was prevalent in the Greco-Roman society. He is not to fill himself with wine, but with the Holy Spirit. He is not to commit sexual immorality, like that of the Greco-Roman culture. He was to stay away from sexual pleasures. He was not to argue and cause strife with other believers. He was not to be jealous of the possessions of others.
14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to arouse its desires.
Instead of wearing the clothing of darkness, he was to take them off and put on the clothing of Christ. He was to continue to wear clean clothes, so that he would not be seduced by the sins of the satanic world system.
