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.
We are still getting understanding from God what our behavior should look like on this earth in this chapter. The first thing we come across is our relationship to those in authority. Every living soul should be subject, or literally arranged under those being in higher positions. God gives us the reason immediately. Every authority is in place under God. God has arranged every single one of them. Therefore, we ought to remain under them because that would be obeying God.
We may not like everything those authorities say and do. That's not what God is asking us to do. We may not like them, but we should still remain under them. Now let's be clear on this, because there are sure to be questions that come up. If that authority is out of the will of God, or is doing things contrary to the ultimate authority of God and His word, then of course we shouldn't obey them in those things. This verse is talking about position. If we find ourselves under another, we are not to usurp that authority. We remain under, yet stand for the truth. One of the best ways to do that is to pray for those in authority, lifting holy hands constantly to the Lord (1 Tim 2:1-4,8).
Romans 13:2
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Since all those in authority are arranged by God Himself, anyone resisting that authority is really resisting God and His word. There are consequences for that. God doesn't want us to experience those unfortunate consequences, so He always tells us what is right and the repercussions of what is wrong. In this case, those resisting those in authority will bring judgment upon themselves. In other words, rebels will get what's coming to them according to the laws of those in authority.
As we look at the Greek, the word for "resisteth" the first time it occurs corresponds with the word "ordained" in verse 1. In verse 1, the word is of the root tasso, which means to arrange or place. In verse 2 we have antitasso, which is a combination of anti (opposite) and tasso. However, the second and third time "resisteth/resist" is used, it is the word anthistemi, a combination of anti and histemi (to stand). The word for ordinance is the compound word diatasso, which is from dia (through or on account of) and tasso. Finally, the word damnation comes from the Greek krima and means judgment. Passing judgment or what the cause-effect of the case is what our English word damnation used to mean. Now it seems to only be associated with the sin judgment of going to Hell for eternity. In any case, here is a more literal translation now that we know deeper meaning on the Greek:
Therefore, the one resisting the authority, has stood (perfect tense) against the thorough placement of the God. Now (de) those who have stood against will receive judgment to themselves.
Romans 13:3
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:
We will see further reasoning in this verse and through verse 5 as to why things are so ordered. Here we are told that these authorities are there for our depraved world. They are to keep things in order by causing fear to those who choose to stand against authority. That fear is of the consequences of disobeying the laws of the land. It's why we have police and security forces. They are there of God to keep everyone in line. Therefore, if we do that which is good, these authorities will have nothing but praise for the obedient.
There is a different word used for rulers here than in verses 1 and 2. It is of the root archon, which can mean beginning or ruler. It is taken as one who is the the first in line. It's why our English has the "arch" prefix to denote the highest or first, as in archbishop or archenemy. The word "power" is the same is it has been in verses 1 and 2, which is exousia, a compound word of ek (out of) and eimi (to be). The word for "wilt" is thelo in the Greek, which means desire or wish. I also wanted to point out the emphasis of the word praise, as it is a compound word as well. The regular word for praise is ainos in the Greek, but the word here is epainos, adding the prefix epi (upon). It has the idea of fitting or apt praise, which certainly makes sense in this context. The Greek also has a definite article for the good works. With all of that, here is a more literal translation:
For rulers are not a terror to the good works, but to the evil. Do you desire now (de) not to be afraid of the authority? Do the good and you will have fitting praise out of the same (referring to the authority).
Romans 13:4
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.
Continuing God's reasoning for remaining under the authorities in place is because they are for our good. That should be clear to see. It's the reason parents are in authority over their children so that they won't get hurt and it may go well with them (Eph 6:1-3). Why don't we let small children play with knives or fire? So they won't get hurt or hurt others. Why do the police not let people drive 120 mi/hr in the city? So they won't get hurt or hurt others. Authority is supposed to be there for the good of the community.
The flipside of that is when people choose to disobey. There's a reason that the positions of authority are there. For anyone who disobeys, they have the authority to administer judgment. They will serve God in punishing those that do evil.
One may think, what about pagan authorities, or those that claim atheism? They are still put there by God and God has His reasons. Nebuchadnezzar wasn't a believer, but he was used to punish Israel for their unbelief. Later he and his nation were punished of God. God knows what He is doing, and everyone is in their place for a reason. All the more reason to pray for them.
This verse is very accurate to the Greek. The only thing to note are the definite articles for the good and the evil each time.
Romans 13:5
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Understanding verses 1-4, we should come to this conclusion, that for peace of mind we ought to remain under the authorities that are in place from God. Avoiding the wrath or those undesired consequences isn't the only reason, but it will bring a peace of mind. God has talked about this many times before in His word. Note Proverbs 16:12-15 for one reference.
The only thing to point out in the Greek here is the definite article for the wrath.
Romans 13:6
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
There's an added bonus to remaining under the authority of others. It's to pay their wages because they are serving God. Sure gives a new meaning to taxes, doesn't it? I know many people complain about it, but it's because of taxes that we have things like a police force, fire department, and many others. Taxes are meant to be a good thing, and rest assured that God will know if those authorities are abusing their power. Remember the example of Nebuchadnezzar? He had his whole kingdom removed from him and lived as an ox for seven years because of his pride and disobeying God (Dan 4:24-33).
Romans 13:7
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Knowing that we pay taxes or the salaries of all those in authority, and all those in authority are placed by God, it should be no wonder that we are commanded to pay them what belongs to them. This concept is not new. Jesus says it in Matthew 22:15-22 and the parallel accounts. God talks about the concept of paying what is right in Proverbs 11:1 and 16:11. In the Law, Israel was to give to the Levites and priests for their services. God has all these things in place for fellowship in the community.
Romans 13:8
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Now I feel that the first part of this verse has been taken out of context in a similar way to Malachi 3:10. Yes it is a command to owe nothing to no one, but that isn't the full sentence or thought here. There is no period there. The next part is important to understand and the meaning may be lost in the English compared to the Greek. It literally says, "if not that to love one another." The whole thing is, "Owe nothing to no one if not that to love one another." The Greek uses more negatives that we're comfortable with, so I don't blame the KJV for it's translation. The "if" there is "ei," so it is a factual statement. The one thing we are commanded to owe is love to one another, and that is the agape love.
We're given the reason why succinctly here but God will expound on it through verse 10. By living out this agape love, we fulfill God's law. Jesus said that as well in the two greatest commandments. He was only asked for one but gave two anyway in Matt 22:32-40. It was written in Law back in Lev 19:18 and Deut 6:5. It's this love that God talks so much about, because it is His main attribute we need to know. If we learn to live in this love, we will have successfully put on Christ, as we are told to do down in verse 14.
The reason I said that this verse is taken out of context is that it is not condemning taking on any debt whatsoever. It is saying to pay back what you owe. Otherwise those of us that pay utility bills are in trouble because we owe a debt for the services rendered. Does that make it a sin to have an electric or water company? No, of course not. One provides a service, the other pays for that service whether in money or an agreed upon service. The concept should be clear when looking again in verse 7 in conjunction with verse 8.
God tells us that borrowing makes us a slave to the lender (Prov 22:7), but He doesn't outright say don't do it or be condemned. Our heart should always be in the right spot to pay what we owe. No matter who you are or your level of self-sufficiency, you will run into a situation you can't handle yourself and will need help from another. Is it wrong to ask for that help? Of course not. But of the help you receive, pay back what is owed for the service, and make sure it is in love.
Romans 13:9
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.
How does loving another with agape love fulfill the law? We're told right here. Paul lists some of them from Exodus 20, but isn't it interesting that there is a catch-all phrase used? "If there be any other commandment..." God sure does know us, doesn't He? He knows we need a simple concept to remember, so He gives us one. If you want to fulfill the law, then you should "love your neighbor as yourself." He'll give a further reason why in the next verse.
This is quite accurate to the Greek, but there are a couple of things to point out. The word "if" is "ei" again. The word "other" is "heteros" which is the other of a different kind. Now the word for "briefly comprehended" is the Greek anakephalaioo. It's quite the mouthful, but is the compound word of ana (up) and kephalaioo (to bring to a head). This word is only used two times in the New Testament: here and Eph 1:10 where it is translated "he might gather together in one." It is the same concept, that all things come under this one heading, which God says is to love your neighbor as yourself.
One last thing to point out is the word for "this saying" is logos. The Greek more literally says, "if (Greek ei) any other commandment in this the word, it is summed up in this: You will love your neighbor as yourself."
Romans 13:10
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
We just read about agape love in chapter 12 so it should be littler wonder what we see in this verse. Agape couldn't possibly bring hurt to anyone else. Quite the opposite, it will only bring good. Here is the description we were given:
Sincere love abhors the evil; cleaves to the good (9), is devoted toward one another with the brotherly love, goes before one another with the honor (10), is not lagging in the diligence, is fervent in the spirit, serves the Lord (11), rejoices in the hope, endures in the tribulation, continues with intense effort in prayer (12), has fellowship with the needs of the saints, pursues hospitality (13)
That's the kind of love God is talking about. That's what fulfills the law.
The only thing to point out here is that there is a definite article for the love, and it's there both times.
Romans 13:11
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.
We were given so many commands and instructions on how to conduct ourselves in this life in chapter 12 up until this point. Now, knowing all of that, and that agape love is the fulfilling of the law, we ought to live that way because each day that passes brings us closer to home. Jesus will call the church which is His body home to Him in the clouds (1 Thess 4:13-18, 2 Thess 2:1-7, Tit 2:13). It is imperative to understand the hope we have and know the time, or the season, in which we live. We are to be ambassadors for God sharing the message of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:17-21). Because of this time and that the call home is imminent, our primary concern in our daily lives should be to live in agape love and preach Christ and Him crucified, buried, and risen to save all from sin (1 Cor 2:1-2, Eph 5:16).
God just told us that we ought to be living sacrifices for Him because of what He has done for us to usher in this age of grace (12:1). Here, the original language is more emphatic to encourage that behavior. The verbs for awaken and believed are in the Aorist infinitive case. There is a missing pronoun in the KJV that was not translated. It more literally says this:
And this, knowing the time/season (Greek kairo), that already is your hour to awake out of sleep, for now (Greek nyn) our salvation is nearer than when we had believed.
These saints have heard the word of truth and trusted in it. It is their hour, their time to shake off the spiritual sleep and realize who they are in Christ. They should know the price they were bought with and enjoy the privilege of being a living sacrifice unto God, speaking the truth in love, and allowing the powerful word of God to break the snares and strongholds of Satan around the minds of unbelievers or misguided believers.
Romans 13:12
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.
Our call home can happen at any moment. In fact, we are told that the message of reconciliation given to the apostle Paul filled up full the word of God (Col 1:25). The night, this nightmare of a sin cursed world, is nearing it's end. There are no more words God needs to tell us; all words we have will be fulfilled in the near future. The next thing on the timeline is what we call the rapture, where the church which is Christ's body will be snatched up together in the clouds at the call of Jesus Christ Himself. Knowing this, we should desire to put off any works of darkness, any dishonorable actions (Rom 1:28-32). Instead, we should wear the armor of light. We should allow the light of God to protect us from the darkness of this world.
He tells us in the epistle to the Ephesians that we were sometimes darkness, but now are light in the Lord, so we ought to walk as children of light. We should have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. How do we do that? All things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light (Eph 5:8-13).
Knowing the light exposes the darkness and reproves it, heed the command of God and put on His armor of light. Speak His truth in love and allow God's word to set others free with the power of His gospel.
The only thing to point out in the Greek here are the definite articles for the darkness and the light.
Romans 13:13
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Note how each of the last things mentioned are "let us" do this or that. These are things we ought to do, but are not things we have to do. It is our choice and God will never force anyone to do anything. But knowing who we are in Christ, I would question why anyone wouldn't have an insatiable desire to be what and who God wants them to be. Let us be honest. Who doesn't want that? Who hasn't suffered the hurt of lies? Walk honestly and put on that armor of light.
God tells us the other side as well. After saying what we should do, He tells us what we shouldn't do. Don't have riotous parties (Greek komos). Don't be drowning in drunkenness. Don't be immersed in sexual immorality or outrageous conduct and public indecency. Don't strive with one another or be jealous. These are the works of darkness that children of the light should put off.
Romans 13:14
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Instead of all that darkness, put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Wearing Him will not allow the flesh to manifest the works of darkness. He is our armor of light, which will expose all darkness and reprove it. Yes, there will be resistance (2 Tim 4:1-5), but we don't know the hearts of men; only God knows. Therefore, we fight the good fight of faith each day and proclaim the gospel of His grace to any and all. Let God have vengeance where it is necessary, though we know His will too. He wants all mankind to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). If He wants everyone saved from sin and death, we shouldn't be selective in who we share this gospel with, should we?
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