Romans 13:1-14

13:1 | Christians must submit to the rule of governing authorities wherever they live. The world tries to circumvent the authority of the government, but God says to be submissive to it (Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13). He puts civil governors in place to provide authority and structure until the King of kings comes to rule over all.

13:2 | God is the ultimate ruler over all earthly rulers. He sets up kings and removes them according to His will (Dan. 2:21). Knowing this, believers are called to pray and submit accordingly.

13:3-4 | Governments are ordained to protect (minister) the community and punish the criminal (1 Pet. 2:14). For these reasons, they can be a blessing to Christians.

13:5-7 | Christians obey the government – including paying their taxes honestly, on time, and with a good attitude – because of their conscience, a higher motivation than the fear of punishment (Matt. 22:21).

13:8-10 | The greatest moral force in the world is not the law but love. Love for God and for others – empowers people to do what they cannot accomplish in the flesh – fulfill the law (13:10; Matt. 22:38-40; Gal. 5:13-14; James 2:8).

13:11-14 | The first three words of verse 11 tie the love of God to the Second Coming of the Son of God: and do this. Do what? Love one another (Matt. 22:39).

13:11 | Believers are to awake out of sleep, not be complacent in this period of the Lord’s absence. They can only see signs of the Lord’s return if they are awake and alert (Mark 13:37; 1 Thess. 5:6).

13:11 | Salvation here is the third sense of that word in Scripture. Believers were saved in the past (justification), are continually being saved (sanctification), and, third, will ultimately be saved (glorification) when Christ returns.

13:12-13 | Works of darkness are acts of sin people want hidden from sight (Eph. 5:11). Works of light are acts of righteousness. Paul’s reference to armor indicates that spiritual warfare will characterize the wait for Jesus’ return (2 Cor. 10:4; Eph. 6:10-18; 1 Thess. 5:8).

13:14 | Believers are not only to refrain from the sins of the flesh, they must not allow them to be a possibility (make no provision)(Gal. 5:16; 1 Pet. 2:11). Love is to be the predominant characteristic of Christians while they await the return of Christ.