The Bible — World English Bible
Romans 13
In brief
In Romans 13, Paul applies the new life to three concrete areas. First, the authorities: he asks us to submit to them, because they are established to reward good and punish evil. Next, love of neighbor, the one debt we never finish paying, because the one who loves fulfills the law. Finally he calls us to wake up, because salvation is nearer, and to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. The passage on authorities has been read very differently in different eras, and Christians debate its limits.
The chapter in 3 parts
1Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.
2Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.
3For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority,
4for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
5Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
6For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing.
7Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
8Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
9For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
10Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.
11Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.
12The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the deeds of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light.
13Let’s walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.
14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.
Key verses
Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.
Paul lays down the principle: authority exists because God has allowed it. Christians discuss its limits, especially when a government commands what opposes God's will. The rest of the New Testament, notably Acts 5:29, invites us to read this verse with that balance.
Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Giving everyone what is due: taxes, respect, honor. Paul makes civic integrity a concrete way of living out one's faith, echoing Jesus' teaching on the tribute to Caesar.
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
The believer's only permanent debt is love. It is never fully paid, and Paul adds that whoever loves others has fulfilled the law: love sums up the commandments.
Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.
The verse of awakening: it is time to wake up from sleep. Paul does not aim to frighten but to shake off indifference, because salvation is nearer than when we first believed. It often resonates with the expectation of Christ's return.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.
After asking us to cast off the works of darkness, Paul says to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. A changed life does not come first from a will to control oneself, but from identification with Christ.
Bible verses to meditate on
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Frequently asked questions about Romans 13
What does Romans 13:1 mean, submit to the authorities?
Paul asks the Christians in Rome to respect civil authorities, because public order serves the common good and God allows authority. Christians do not all agree on its limits: many recall that we obey God rather than people when an order contradicts his will, as the apostles say in Acts 5:29.
What does it mean to owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another?
In verse 8, Paul invites us to pay our debts and leave nothing outstanding, with one exception: love remains a debt we never finish repaying. He adds that love sums up the commandments, because the one who loves their neighbor does them no harm.
What does it mean that it is time to wake up from sleep?
In verse 11, sleep is an image of a numbed spiritual life, indifferent to what God is doing. Paul reminds us that salvation is drawing near and the night is far gone, and asks us to live in broad daylight, in the light. The text calls for vigilance, not fear.
Articles quoting Romans 13
World English Bible translation — public domain.