ROMANS 13 COMMENTARY
I. CHRISTIANS' RESPONSIBILITY
TO GOVERNMENT (1-7)
A. Are to be in Subjection. (1)
In the early days of Christianity, it was often seen as being
antagonistic to the government. Many converts, especially Jews,
would perhaps behave in a way to perpetrate this view. God has
ordained civil government. Is this to say that no government turns
out bad? God has ordained marriage and the church, but they sometimes
fail, so do governments. (Tit. 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-17; 1 Tim 2:1,2)
We only have recourse against our civil government when they make
demands on us that violate God's commandments.
B. Should not Resist the Powers That Be. (2)
This more than just not breaking the law. Paul is saying not to
take a stand or defy the government.
C. The Purpose of Government Defined: (3-7)
1. A minister of God - These principles apply whether the government
is kind or cruel. All governments are pleased with law abiding
citizens, so Christians are bound to be law abiding. God ordained
governments to minister to the welfare of the people, this is
their job.
2. An avenger to bring wrath upon those who practice evil. God
has always condoned capital punishment, if administered by the
government. (Gen. 9:6) It not an option for man to take vengeance
into his own hands, but instead allow the civil government to
do it's job.
D. Submission to Government Should Not only be for the Purpose
of Avoiding Wrath, but also to have a Good Conscience before God.
(5)
This is not saying we cannot participate in our government or
use the laws of our government to our own benefit, only that we
are to follow those laws.
E. Christians are Obligated to: (6,7)
1. Pay taxes - "Tribute" here means taxes. It is our
Christian duty to pay our share of the taxes. (Mt. 22:15-22).
"Custom" here is revenue levied on imports and trades.
2. Render proper respect and honor - If every person alive were
a Christian would we still need civil government? Yes, because
there are things to be done that the church is not authorized
to do. Countries that have functioning governments are not in
chaos, and Christians have a better chance of fulfilling their
duties as Christians.
II. EXHORTATIONS TO LOVE
AND MORAL PURITY (8-14)
A. The Value of Love (8-10)
1. We are to owe no man anything, but to love him. Does this mean
we cannot take out a loan? If a man pays promptly according to
contract, he owes nothing. The obligation of love, however can
never be fully paid.
2. The value of love is seen in its ability to fulfill the Old
Law. If we seek to honestly discharge the debt of love, we will
keep all of the commandments. That is, the commandments hinge
on love. If a man is motivated by love, of God and his neighbor,
he needs no other law.
B. Exhortations to Moral Purity (11-14)
1. It is time to wake up and cast off the works of darkness and
put on the armor of light. There is never time for apathy and
lethargy. (Eph, 5:14) Obviously, as time passes, eternal salvation
draws nearer. Sin and ignorance are represented by darkness. The
full revelation of the gospel would allow these first century
Christians to cast off this darkness. If a man walks in darkness
today, it's by his own choice. How do we put on this armor of
light? By learning and loving the gospel (1 Thes. 5:7-10).
2. Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, we can walk honestly as in
the day, and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Love does not
behave in an unseemly fashion (1 Cor. 13:5). Christians must avoid
stumbling by walking in the gospel light. Reveling and drunkenness
seem to always go together. Immoral conduct must be avoided. Verse
14 contrasts with verse 13. Instead of practicing evil, we are
to cloth ourselves with the characteristics manifested by Jesus,
put ourselves under His authority and walk in His footsteps. His
life becomes our life.
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Go To: Romans 14