Read the Passage: Romans 13
Submit to Authority (13:1–7)
In Rom. 12:17–21 Paul instructed the Roman believers about their duties toward their enemies, as he wrote that they were to live peaceably and not to avenge themselves. In their context, one of the biggest foes of the church was the government, as the Roman state was persecuting Christians. It must have been surprising, then, for these believers to read, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities” (Rom. 13:1). Observe that Paul’s teaching here about authority applies in many different contexts, including those between God and believer (cf. Exod. 20:3), state and citizen (cf. 1 Pet. 2:13–14), judge and defendant (cf. Prov. 24:23), master and bondservant (cf. Eph. 6:5–9), pastor and layperson (cf. 2 Tim. 5:17), teacher and student (cf. Jas. 3:1), husband and wife (cf. Eph. 5:22–33), and parent and child (cf. Eph. 6:1–4), among many other relationships.
As with all institutions in which humans participate, oftentimes those with governing power in a civil context will act sinfully, even persecuting Christians. Yet, such sin does not negate the principle that all men are to be subject to authorities. The only exception to this teaching is that there is no duty to submit to authority if doing so will cause one to sin or keep one from righteousness (cf. Acts 4:19–20). In this passage Paul teaches that submission is required, for authorities have been “appointed by God” (Rom. 13:1), the civil ruler is “God’s minister” (Rom. 13:4) “because of wrath” (Rom. 13:5a) and “for conscience’ sake” (Rom. 13:5b). The idea here is that since all authority belongs to God (cf. Matt. 28:18), God’s sovereignty encompasses even secular rulers, and their power is ultimately derived from Him. Therefore, to rebel against the state is to rebel against God.
One of the areas where it is perhaps the most difficult to submit to unreasonable secular authorities is regarding the payment of taxes. Yet, here in this passage Paul explains that since civil governments have been established by God, and logically need to be financed, Christians are to pay taxes. At Rom. 13:6, for the third time in three verses, Paul refers to the civil authorities as “God’s ministers.” Paul then explicitly writes, “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor” (Rom. 13:7). Note that the term Paul uses for “taxes” here refers to all types of taxes, including income, property, and sales taxes, as well as tolls. While Paul’s directive in this passage may be surprising to some, recall that Jesus had given a similar exhortation at Matt. 22:17–21, and had paid taxes Himself (cf. Matt. 17:24–27).
Love your Neighbor (13:8–10)
In Rom. 13:8 Paul writes, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” With this verse Paul is not saying that Christians can never take on financial obligations, such as a car loan or a home mortgage. Rather, Paul is teaching that if a believer has a debt, such as a tax bill or a financial loan, then they must pay their debts and not default on their financial obligations. By way of transition, Paul points out that Christians have a duty to love one another. Since this is an on-going duty, believers will never be free from their obligation to love one another. In Rom. 13:9–10 Paul quotes from the second table of the moral law as he cites the sixth through tenth commandments. Here Paul teaches, like Jesus did (cf. Matt. 22:39–40), that these moral laws can be summed up in Lev. 19:18, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Put on Christ (13:11–14)
In Rom. 13:11–14 Paul exhorts his readers to Christian living, which he has been discussing in Romans 12–13. Paul’s methodology here is to appeal to Jesus’ return, as he writes, “For now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand” (Rom. 13:11–12). The “day” that Paul refers to here is the day of Christ’s return, when salvation will be complete, sin will be no more, and all of God’s people will be resurrected and glorified. Note that the Bible often uses Jesus’ return to motivate believers to holy living (cf. Heb. 10:24–25; 1 Pet. 4:7; 2 Pet. 3:11–14). Next, in Rom. 13:13 Paul describes the works of darkness as revelry, drunkenness, lewdness, lusts, strife, and envy. In contrast, in Rom. 13:14 Paul teaches the armor of light consists of putting on the Lord Jesus and making no provision to indulge the lusts of the flesh.
Application Questions:
- What is your understanding of how Christians are to interact with the government?
- When, if ever, is it acceptable to rebel against authority? Is capital punishment a biblical concept?
- Does payment of taxes to secular authorities who use the money immorally make Christians guilty of the sins of the state?
- When Paul writes, “Own no one anything” (Rom. 13:8), is he prohibiting Christians from all types of financial loans and other debts?
- Do you oftentimes think about the return of Jesus? How can Christ’s return a motivating factor towards right Christian living?
