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Romans Chapter
Thirteen
Romans 13
Among themselves Christians are exhorted not to seek the
high things of this world, but to walk as brethren with those of low degree: a
precept too much forgotten in the assembly of God-to her loss. If the Christian
of high degree requires that honour according to the flesh should be paid him,
let it be done with good will. Happy he who, according to the example of the
King of kings and to the precept of our apostle, knows how to walk in company
with those of low degree in their journey through the wilderness. Now love is
the fulfilling of the law; for love works no ill to his neighbour, and so
fulfils the law.
Another principle acts also on the spirit of the Christian. It is time
to awake. The deliverance from this present evil age, which the Lord will
accomplish for us, draws nigh. The night is far spent, the day is at hand-God
knows the moment. The characteristics which marked its approach in the days of
the apostle have ripened in a very different way since then, although God, with
a view to those whom He is gathering in, is still even now restraining them.
Let us then walk as children of the day, casting off the works of darkness. We
belong to the day, of which Christ Himself will be the light. Let our walk be
in accordance with that day, putting on Christ Himself, and not being studious
of that which is in accordance with the will and the lusts of the flesh.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Romans》
Romans 13
Chapter Contents
The duty of subjection to governors. (1-7) Exhortations
to mutual love. (8-10) To temperance and sobriety. (11-14)
Commentary on Romans 13:1-7
(Read Romans 13:1-7)
The grace of the gospel teaches us submission and quiet,
where pride and the carnal mind only see causes for murmuring and discontent.
Whatever the persons in authority over us themselves may be, yet the just power
they have, must be submitted to and obeyed. In the general course of human
affairs, rulers are not a terror to honest, quiet, and good subjects, but to
evil-doers. Such is the power of sin and corruption, that many will be kept
back from crimes only by the fear of punishment. Thou hast the benefit of the
government, therefore do what thou canst to preserve it, and nothing to disturb
it. This directs private persons to behave quietly and peaceably where God has
set them, 1 Timothy 2:1,2. Christians must not use any
trick or fraud. All smuggling, dealing in contraband goods, withholding or
evading duties, is rebellion against the express command of God. Thus honest
neighbours are robbed, who will have to pay the more; and the crimes of
smugglers, and others who join with them, are abetted. It is painful that some
professors of the gospel should countenance such dishonest practices. The
lesson here taught it becomes all Christians to learn and practise, that the
godly in the land will always be found the quiet and the peaceable in the land,
whatever others are.
Commentary on Romans 13:8-10
(Read Romans 13:8-10)
Christians must avoid useless expense, and be careful not
to contract any debts they have not the power to discharge. They are also to
stand aloof from all venturesome speculations and rash engagements, and
whatever may expose them to the danger of not rendering to all their due. Do
not keep in any one's debt. Give every one his own. Do not spend that on
yourselves, which you owe to others. But many who are very sensible of the
trouble, think little of the sin, of being in debt. Love to others includes all
the duties of the second table. The last five of the ten commandments are all
summed up in this royal law, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; with the
same sincerity that thou lovest thyself, though not in the same measure and
degree. He that loves his neighbour as himself, will desire the welfare of his
neighbour. On this is built that golden rule, of doing as we would be done by.
Love is a living, active principle of obedience to the whole law. Let us not
only avoid injuries to the persons, connexions, property, and characters of
men; but do no kind or degree of evil to any man, and study to be useful in
every station of life.
Commentary on Romans 13:11-14
(Read Romans 13:11-14)
Four things are here taught, as a Christian's directory
for his day's work. When to awake; Now; and to awake out of the sleep of carnal
security, sloth, and negligence; out of the sleep of spiritual death, and out
of the sleep of spiritual deadness. Considering the time; a busy time; a
perilous time. Also the salvation nigh at hand. Let us mind our way, and mend
our pace, we are nearer our journey's end. Also to make ourselves ready. The
night is far spent, the day is at hand; therefore it is time to dress
ourselves. Observe what we must put off; clothes worn in the night. Cast off
the sinful works of darkness. Observe what we must put on; how we should dress
our souls. Put on the armour of light. A Christian must reckon himself
undressed, if unarmed. The graces of the Spirit are this armour, to secure the
soul from Satan's temptations, and the assaults of this present evil world. Put
on Christ; that includes all. Put on righteousness of Christ, for
justification. Put on the Spirit and grace of Christ, for sanctification. The
Lord Jesus Christ must be put on as Lord to rule you as Jesus to save you; and
in both, as Christ anointed and appointed by the Father to this ruling, saving
work. And how to walk. When we are up and ready, we are not to sit still, but
to appear abroad; let us walk. Christianity teaches us how to walk so as to
please God, who ever sees us. Walk honestly as in the day; avoiding the works
of darkness. Where there are riot and drunkenness, there usually are chambering
and wantonness, and strife and envy. Solomon puts these all together, Proverbs 23:29-35. See what provision to make.
Our great care must be to provide for our souls: but must we take no care about
our bodies? Yes; but two things are forbidden. Perplexing ourselves with
anxious, encumbering care; and indulging ourselves in irregular desires.
Natural wants are to be answered, but evil appetites must be checked and
denied. To ask meat for our necessities, is our duty, we are taught to pray for
daily bread; but to ask meat for our lusts, is provoking God, Psalm 78:18.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Romans》
Romans 13
Verse 1
[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.
St. Paul, writing to the Romans, whose city was the seat
of the empire, speaks largely of obedience to magistrates: and this was also,
in effect, a public apology for the Christian religion.
Let every soul be subject to the supreme powers — An admonition
peculiarly needful for the Jews. Power, in the singular number, is the supreme
authority; powers are they who are invested with it. That is more readily
acknowledged to be from God than these. The apostle affirms it of both. They
are all from God, who constituted all in general, and permits each in
particular by his providence.
The powers that be are appointed by God — It might be rendered,
are subordinate to, or, orderly disposed under, God; implying, that they are
God's deputies or vicegerents and consequently, their authority being, in
effect, his, demands our conscientious obedience.
Verse 2
[2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the
ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Whosoever resisteth the power — In any other manner
than the laws of the community direct.
Shall receive condemnation — Not only from the
magistrate, but from God also.
Verse 3
[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:
For rulers are — In the general, notwithstanding
some particular exceptions.
A terror to evil works — Only.
Wouldest thou then not be afraid — There is one fear
which precedes evil actions, and deters from them: this should always remain.
There is another fear which follows evil actions: they who do well are free
from this.
Verse 4
[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.
The sword — The instrument of capital
punishment, which God authorizes him to inflict.
Verse 5
[5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath,
but also for conscience sake.
Not only for fear of wrath — That is, punishment
from man.
But for conscience' sake — Out of obedience to
God.
Verse 6
[6] For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are
God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
For this cause — Because they are the ministers
(officers) of God for the public good.
This very thing — The public good.
Verse 7
[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.
To all — Magistrates.
Tribute — Taxes on your persons or estates.
Custom — For goods exported or imported.
Fear — Obedience.
Honour — Reverence. All these are due to the supreme power.
Verse 8
[8] Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he
that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
From our duty to magistrates he passes on to general
duties.
To love one another — An eternal debt,
which can never be sufficiently discharged; but yet if this be rightly
performed, it discharges all the rest.
For he that loveth another — As he ought.
Hath fulfilled the whole law — Toward his neighbour.
Verse 9
[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.
If there be any other — More particular.
Commandment — Toward our neighbour; as there
are many in the law.
It is summed up in this — So that if you was
not thinking of it, yet if your heart was full of love, you would fulfil it.
Verse 10
[10] Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is
the fulfilling of the law.
Therefore love is the fulfilling of the law — For the same love
which restrains from all evil, incites us to all good.
Verse 11
[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.
And do this — Fulfil the law of love in all the
instances above mentioned.
Knowing the season — Full of grace, but
hasting away.
That it is high time to awake out of sleep — How beautifully is
the metaphor carried on! This life, a night; the resurrection, the day; the
gospel shining on the heart, the dawn of this day; we are to awake out of sleep;
to rise up and throw away our night-clothes, fit only for darkness, and put on
new; and, being soldiers, we are to arm, and prepare for fight, who are
encompassed with so many enemies. The day dawns when we receive faith, and then
sleep gives place. Then it is time to rise, to arm, to walk, to work, lest
sleep steal upon us again. Final salvation, glory, is nearer to us now, than
when we first believed - It is continually advancing, flying forward upon the
swiftest wings of time. And that which remains between the present hour and
eternity is comparatively but a moment.
Verse 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.
Banqueting — Luxurious, elegant feasts.
Verse 14
[14] But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not
provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ — Herein is contained
the whole of our salvation. It is a strong and beautiful expression for the
most intimate union with him, and being clothed with all the graces which were
in him. The apostle does not say, Put on purity and sobriety, peacefulness and
benevolence; but he says all this and a thousand times more at once, in saying,
Put on Christ. And make not provision - To raise foolish desires, or, when they
are raised already, to satisfy them.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Romans》
Chapter 13. The Duty of Citizens
The Night Is
Nearly Over
The Day Is Almost Here
I. Attitude
toward Government
II. Attitude
toward People
III. Attitude
toward Self
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
Chapter Thirteen general Review
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To understand our relationship to the government 2) To appreciate the importance of love and moral purity SUMMARY
Continuing to instruct concerning the "transformed life," Paul nowdiscusses the Christian's responsibilities to governmental authorities.Understanding that all governments are in power due to the providenceof God, and that they serve as ministers of God to avenge the evil doer, Christians are admonished to submit to "the powers that be" (1-5). This submission involves payment of taxes and having respect for those in authority (6-7). Paul's next exhortation deals with the importance of love and moral purity. Christians are to be indebted to no one, save to love one another. When love is properly demonstrated, even the requirements of the Law are adequately met (8-10). This admonition to love, however, is carefully balanced with the reminder that time is short and it is imperative that Christians maintain moral purity. This is done by Christians putting on the Lord Jesus and not making provision for the fulfilling of the lusts of the flesh (11-14). OUTLINE
I. RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE GOVERNMENT (1-7)
A. BE IN SUBJECTION (1-5) 1. For governing authorities are appointed by God (1-2) 2. For governing authorities are God's ministers to avenge evil (3-4) 3. To avoid wrath and maintain good conscience (5) B. FULFILL WHAT IS DUE (6-7) 1. Taxes, customs (6-7a ) 2. Fear (respect), honor (7b) II. EXHORTATION TO LOVE AND MORAL PURITY (8-14)
A. THE VALUE OF LOVE (8-10) 1. Owe no one anything but love (8a ) 2. For love does no harm, and fulfills the Law (8b-10) B. CONCERNING MORAL PURITY (11-14) 1. The time is short, we need to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light (11-12) 2. Walk properly by putting on the Lord Jesus and making no provision to fulfill fleshly lusts (13-14) WORDS TO PONDER
the governing authorities - the political powers which govern society
he does not bear the sword in vain - an implied reference to the
approved use of capital punishment put on the Lord Jesus Christ - a process begun in baptism (Ga 3:27),
continued as we develop Christ-like qualities (Co 3:9-17) make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts - avoid
situations where unlawful fleshly desires might be aroused and acted upon REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) List the main points of this chapter
- Responsibilities To The Government (1-7) - Exhortations To Love And Moral Purity (8-14) 2) What one word summarizes the Christian's responsibility to thegovernment? (1)
- submit 3) From where do governments get their authority? (1)
- God 4) What happens if we resist governing authorities? (2)
- We resist God and bring judgment upon ourselves 5) What is a major responsibility of government? (4)
- To avenge the evil doer 6) What should serve as motivation for Christians' submission to thegovernment? (5)
- Wrath, and conscience 7) What else is required of Christians in regards to government? (7)
- Payment of taxes, and respect for those in authority 8) What one thing should we owe to others? (8)
- Love 9) What are we to put on? (12,14)
- The "armor of light", the Lord Jesus Christ 10) What are we not to provide opportunities for? (14)
- The fulfillment of fleshly lusts
The Christian's Duty To Government (13:1-7)
INTRODUCTION
1. Christians are blessed to be citizens of a heavenly kingdom... a. Our citizenship is in heaven - Ph 3:20 b. We have been conveyed into the kingdom of God 1:13; Re 1:9
-- As such, we are described as "sojourners and pilgrims" in thisworld - 1 Pe 2:11
2. As "pilgrims", we live and work under the governments of men... a. With a variety of political systems: democracies, kingdoms, dictatorships, etc. b. Offering varying degrees of freedom, responsibilities, etc. -- What is our duty to such governments? 3. The Lord's church began and thrived during the Roman Empire ... a. To Christians in the capital city of Rome responsibility b. To Christians dispersed in outlying areas of the Empire, Peter did also -- The Christian's duty to government is made very clear by theapostles
[Using Paul's comments in Ro 13:1-7 as our starting point, let's reviewwhat our duties are...] I. BE SUBJECT
A. THE RULE... 1. Stressed twice by Paul a. "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities" - Ro 13:1 b. "Therefore you must be subject..." - Ro 13:5 2. Peter likewise taught this duty - 1 Pe 2:13-14 a. "Therefore submit yourselves..." 1) Submit means "be subject to" 2) Signifying "to place one's self under subjection; to render one's self subordinate" b. We are to submit "to every ordinance of man" 1) The word "ordinance" literally means "a creation" 2) The Greeks and Romans described the appointment of officers as the "creation" of them 3) Thus the expression "ordinance" actually refers: a) Not to a particular law passed by government b) But to the civil government or institution itself c) Cf. "to every human institution" (NASB, NRSV) 4) Note that we are to submit to every human institution (whether it be a monarchy, democracy, totalitarian state, etc.) -- Our responsibility is clear: "Let every soul be subject" - Ro13:1
B. THE REASON... 1. Governing authorities that exist have been appointed by God! - Ro 13:1 a. As emphasized in the book of Daniel - Dan 2:20-21; 4:17,25a ,