Romans 13

1. Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

This was written when Nero was the ruler of a large part of the world. All governments are there only because God has allowed them to be there.

The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; He guides it wherever He pleases. Proverbs 21:1

Nebuchadnezzar is My servant. Jeremiah 27:6

2. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has done, and they will be punished.

If we do not like the rulers, God shows us what we can do:

Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives shown by godliness and respect. 1 Timothy 2:2

3. For the authorities do not bring fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.

History shows that a few years after Paul's time, the Jews started a war with Rome, and the temple was destroyed, and millions were killed. Paul did not want Christians to be seen as people who start wars.

4. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.

If there was no government then we would all live by the law of the jungle, kill or be killed.

5 –7

So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.

Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Shows us that in the last days men will be against any kind of law.

Jesus said, “We do not want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.” Matthew 17:27

8. Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.

During some evil days, the early Christians were the only ones visiting the sick and having funerals for those who died. The people who were watching said, "We never saw anything like this. Look how they love each other!"

9. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

For example, we do not drive the speed limit to stay out of trouble, but because we do not want to hurt anybody in an accident.

10. Love does no wrong to others, so love fills the requirements of God’s law.

If we love each other, then we are keeping all of God's laws at the same time.

11. This is all the more important, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed!

We are warned by many scriptures about being spiritually asleep.

12 –14

The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.


Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t be part of the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in arguing and jealousy.


Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And do not let yourself think about ways to enjoy your evil desires.

It would be wrong to “spiritually” pretend that you are following the Lord Jesus and then not live the way Jesus said to live. Do not keep something in your life that can be used to destroy you later. Who in the Bible made had a plan to secretly enjoy what his flesh wanted?