Romans Chapter Thirteen

Romans Chapter Thirteen

In the previous chapter, the Christian's relationship to those around him was discussed. In this chapter, the Christian's relationship to the world is discussed.

Romans 13:1 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. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For 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: 4 For 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. 5 Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

As elsewhere in the scriptures, we are instructed that governmental authorities are "of God" and are "ordained of God".

A Christian should first do what the government demands. If the demand is questionable, we should seek a compromise as long as the truth and right can be maintained. However, if the government demands that a Christian do something contrary to the expressed will of God as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, then we are to follow Peter's rule as expressed in the following verse:

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.


Romans 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

These verses make it clear that Christians are to render to their government what is due. Sometimes we must honour the office when the person in the office is dishonourable.

Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For 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. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law. 11 And 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. 12 The 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. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].

Verses 8 - 10 are the Christians moral law. To the chagrin of the Seventh Day Adventists, it does not include keeping Saturday at the Sabbath.

Note that the modern versions of the bible have removed "Thou shalt not bear false witness" from the list in verse 9.

Keep in mind that verse 10 is dealing with the Christian AFTER salvation. Loving other Christians fulfills the Law in the life of the Christian who has ALREADY received "the righteousness of the law" through FAITH in the Lord Jesus Christ.

In verse 11, Paul exhorts Christians to wake up and get busy for God because the rapture is near. Salvation in this verse is speaking of the salvation of the body at the rapture. That will be our COMPLETED salvation.

Finally, in verse 14, when a Christian makes "provision" for something, they are making a place and providing a means for it to happen. Conversely, if a Christian does not provide a place and means for something to happen, it probably won't HAPPEN.

--- End of Romans Chapter Thirteen ---