1 Submission To Authorities Love, for the Day is Near Romans 13:1-14
2 Submission To Authorities Love, for the Day is Near Text: Romans 13:1-14, 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. 2. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3. For the 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: 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. 5. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience s sake. 6. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. 8. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 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 neighbor as thyself.
3 10. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 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. 12. The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. Introduction: I. Paul presented in this passage: A. a statement of the attitude and relationship of Christians to the secular state, government under which they live. 1. The Jews were beginning to mount an insurrection, rebellion against Rome that would end the Jewish state. 2. What was the proper Christian relationship, attitude in regard to pagan Rome that persecuted them? B. a statement regarding Christian love and its urgency in view of those perilous times and the anticipated return of the Lord Jesus and the end of the world. Commentary:
4 Romans 13:1, 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. I. Every person, Christian, is to subject himself to the higher power under which he lives. A. Why? 1. There is no power but of God. 2. The powers that be are ordained of God. a. Government is approved of God. b. Without government control the world would face continual chaos. c. This authorization of government certainly does not suggest that everything a government does is right. II. Christians are first and foremost to be subject to a higher power. A. John 18:36, Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence. B. Matthew 22:21, They say unto him, Caesar s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar s; and unto God the things that are God s.
5 C. John 19:11, Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above; therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. D. Matthew 22:7, But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. E. Matthew 26:46-56,Rise, let us be going; behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. And while ye yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
6 F. Luke 12:13, 14, And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? G. 1 Peter 2:13-17, Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. H. 1 Timothy 2:1, 2, I exhort therefore, that, first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Romans 13:2, Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. I. Christians are not to resist the power, lawful government. A. Jesus never participated in a riot again Rome or Jerusalem. II. To resist lawful government is to withstand God who authorized government.
III. To resist established government is to bring judgment, punishment on the rebel. A. Law and order are essential to the public good. Romans 13:3, For the 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: I. Rulers are not intended to be a threat, terror to good work, but to evil. II. All had better fear the power of government under which they live. III. Do what is good and the government will praise you. Note: To all rules there are exceptions. Christians have been severely persecuted under communist and Moslem governments, for example, while doing what is good. Romans 13:4, 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. I. Rulers are appointed, authorized by God for the common good. II. If you do what is evil, be afraid because: A. he (ruler) bears not the sword (a lethal instrument) in vain. 1. Numbers 15:35, And the Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. 7
B. He (ruler) is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath on the evil doer. Romans 13:5, Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience s sake. I. Christians must, it is our responsibility and obligation to be subject to the government under which we live because: A. otherwise we will experience government s wrath and... B. in this way we have a clear conscience. 1. 1 Peter 2:13, 14, Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. Note: Paul gave two reasons for being good citizens; viz., conscience and punishment avoidance. Romans 13:6, For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. I. This (see verse 5) is also the reason we pay taxes. II. Government official are ministers of God s service who continually discharge their duties. A. We don t often think of civil servants and office holding politicians as being ministers of God, but Paul here so classified them. 8
B. We honor the office although we may not respect certain office holders such as Nero, for example Romans 13:7, Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. I. Render to all that which is due them; for example, A. Pay all taxes (tributes, custom) which are due. 1. Don t cheat on your income taxes! B. Show respect, fear and honor to those who are worthy of special deference. C. 1 Peter 2:13-17, Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. II. There is no example in the New Testament of any Christian ever seeking to overthrow a government nor of committing any vile, wicked deed against established authority. Romans 13:8, Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. I. Owe no man anything. 9
10 A. Owe no one taxes, custom, tribute. B. Allow no outstanding debt in your life. C. Rid yourselves of debt. Pay your obligations in a timely manner. II. The one exception to this rule is in regard to love. A. We are obligated, in debt to others to love them. B. When we love our neighbor we fulfill the law, obey its component parts related to other people. C. We can never be free of the debt, obligation to love one another. Romans 13:9, 10, 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 neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. I. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself is the sum of all commandments related to others such as: A. Thou shalt not commit adultery. B. Thou shalt not steal. C. Thou shalt not covet. D. And any other related commandments.
11 II. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor. A. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law! B. Matthew 22:34-40, But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him,thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. C. Mark 12:29-31, And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. D. Mark 10:19, Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother. E. Luke 18:20, Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother. F. Loving our neighbor is shown in our behavior toward others which rules out covetousness, adultery, etc.
12 Romans 13:11, 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. I. We are to know the time, season in which we are living. II. It is already time for us to awake out of sleep. A. Christians can sleep through lethargy, sin or inactivity. B. Ephesians 5:14, Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. C. Proverbs 24:30-34, I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding: And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man. D. 1 Corinthians 11:30, For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. E. Matthew 13:24, 25, Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. III. Why? Because salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed. A. This does not mean Paul believed Christ s return was imminent.
13 B. Everyday brings us closer to Christ s return and to salvation for the saints. Romans 13:12, The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. I. The night is far spent. II. The day is at hand. III. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness. A. It is past time to wake up, spiritually speaking. IV. Let us put on the armour of light, the gospel of Christ. A. Ephesians 6:13-17, Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Romans 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. I. Let us walk, behave befittingly, becomingly, worthy of Christ, appropriately, decently.
14 II. Avoid: A. Live as in the day knowing others and especially God can clearly see what is done. B. Christian behavior is beautiful to behold. 1. We model for the world to emulate. 2. Virtue, integrity, faithfulness, purity, love. 3. Matthew 3:15, And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 4. Ephesians 5:3, But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; A. reveling, orgies, riotous, boisterous conduct. B. drunkenness. C. chambering, sexual immorality, licentiousness, D. wantonness, debauchery, vice E. strife, dissension. F. jealousy. III. These behaviors show no love for self or others!
Romans 13:14, But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. I. Clothe yourselves with, put on, wear the Lord Jesus Christ. A. This was done at conversion. B. Ever increase in letting Christ adorn everything you do! II. Make no provision for, do not think about, the flesh to fulfill, gratify the lusts, desires thereof, of a sinful nature. A. Spend no time, money or efforts on those evil things mentioned in verse 13. 15
Questions 16 Romans 13:1-14 1. What two topics did Paul address in this chapter? 2. To what higher power are Christians to be subject? 3. What powers are ordained of God? 4. The of certainly does not mean that any does is. 5. What did Jesus teach about the relationship between his disciples and government? 6. To is to who authorized.
7. are not intended to be a, to the, but to. 8. are, by for the. 9. If we do what is evil, why should we be afraid? 10. Why do Christians pay taxes? 11. Is the city mayor a minister of God? Why or why not? 12. Is it permissible in God s sight for Christians to forcefully or peacefully work to overthrow an evil government? Give reasons for your answer. 17
13. Does Owe no man anything mean Christians are not to buy anything on credit? Explain. 14. What one thing do we owe others? How can we discharge this debt? 15. Why are we to awake out of sleep? 16. What is this sleep out of which we are to awake? 17. In what works of darkness does Paul say Christians are not to be involved? 18
18. Cloth yourselves in ever increasing degrees with the. Let everything you do. 19. Make no for the to fulfill the thereof! 19