Right in God s Sight Paul s Letter to the Romans Romans 13:1-14 Inductive Discovery Lesson 17 Nothing proves our Christian witness like the wear and tear of daily life. As Jesus told the disciples, By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:35) That s why Paul takes his readers through such an extensive description of the Christian s responsibilities and relationships. The specific instructions Paul gave in chapter 12 encourage us to examine how we come across as individuals. Do we respond in ways that reveal the transforming power of God s love in our life? Next, Paul exhorts his readers to be good citizens who exert a godly influence on society. Let the church be known as respectful, law-abiding people. Above all, let Christians be known by their love. Do this, Paul wrote, knowing the time Can you hear the urgency? We live in a time when people are losing faith and don t know where to find it. Now is not the time to douse the Light and drift off to sleep! Background Submit to the governing authorities and practice love toward your fellow man. These were not hollow words for the Christians in Rome and Paul knew it. They lived in an unfriendly world that was becoming more hostile toward them. The political and social atmosphere of that time lends a glimpse of what these believers were confronted with. Indifference. As a people, Romans were not religious. They borrowed religion and philosophy from the Greeks and shaped it to fit Roman interests. Romans valued the practice of worship mainly for what it contributed to community life; feeding the soul was secondary. Suspicion. To Roman eyes, Christians were a fringe-group with dubious motives. Meeting in private homes was frowned upon as it might foster rebellion. There were rumors of cannibalism (half-truths about observance of the Lord s Supper). Loyalty was an issue since Christians avoided community rituals and offerings to gods. Political Unrest. Jewish Zealots were stepping up their religious rhetoric, calling for the overthrow of Rome. Any act of civil disobedience (as defined by government) would be taken seriously and dealt with harshly. Also during this time, resistance against paying taxes was gaining momentum. By A.D. 58 (just a year or two after Paul wrote this letter) the government had a full-blown tax revolt on its hands. Romans 13:1-14 Read through the passage one time without interruption. Read it again, using a different translation if possible. Briefly describe in your own words what Paul is saying. 1
Working Text for Romans 13:1-14 New King James Version (NKJV) 1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. 8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, YOU SHALL NOT COVET, and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, YOU SHALL Exodus 20:13-17 Leviticus 19:18 LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Scripture taken from the New King James Version, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 2
Write down your OBSERVATIONS Read the section and record what you see. Use the first column to keep track of what you find in the Bible passage. (Who? What? When? Where?) Circle repeated words and phrases. Use the second column to record information you gather from other sources such as a dictionary, concordance, maps, etc. You can also use this section to jot down your thoughts, impressions or questions that come to mind. Do your best to follow Paul s train of thought. Does he emphasize a particular topic? Are his words urgent? Encouraging? Commanding? What issues or problems does he address? What questions does he ask? Romans 13:1-7 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: Romans 13:8-10 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: 3
Romans 13:11-14 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: Key Words and Phrases Key words and phrases help us understand the main point the writer wants to make. How do we recognize key words and phrases? Here are some simple things to look for. When you see a word or phrase repeated, you can be sure Paul is using it to make his point. In Romans, Paul frequently quotes Old Testament scripture to support his point. You may find some key words there. If you are unfamiliar with a word or its meaning, it becomes a key word for you. Take time to learn the definition so you will understand how it is being used in the sentence. List any key words and phrases you found in Romans 13:1-14 Write the definition of the following words or phrases. Use a regular dictionary or a concordance with a Greek Dictionary if you have one. be subject (vs.1,5) love (vs.8-10) 4
INTERPRETATION What does it mean? Look for a spiritual lesson. Be careful not to read into the Bible an idea that is not there. Examine each verse in light of the verses around it. To help you find a spiritual lesson, ask questions such as, Is there a command to obey? A promise to claim? A condition to that promise? Is there a warning to heed? An example to follow or avoid? State the lesson in one simple sentence. APPLICATION How does it apply to me? We don t study the Bible just to gather information we want to spiritually grow. Our heart needs to be open to change. The only way to move truth off the pages of your Bible and into your life is to put it into action. To apply a spiritual lesson, we must examine ourselves and take deliberate steps to do something with what we have learned. Ask yourself: Is this a new insight for me, or does it reinforce what I already know? What does it challenge me to do? Does it point out error in my attitude or actions? What changes does it require? Think of how the lesson relates to you and what specific course of action you will take. Write your application in the form of a question to make it personal. Romans 13:1-7 Lesson: Application:? Romans 13:8-10 Lesson: Application:? Romans 13:11-14 Lesson: Application:? Summary Write a simple sentence that summarizes what the passage is about. Give a title to the chapter that will help you personally to remember it. 5
Take a Closer Look Memorize Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 NKJ Choose the translation you prefer to memorize from and re-write the verse here. Meditate Look up. What does this verse teach you about God? (For example, look for signs of His character, His attributes, His works, His requirements, His promises.) Look around. What does this verse teach you about the world and people in general? Look within. What does this verse teach you about yourself? Look ahead. Does this verse give you reason to hope? Briefly share your thoughts. Look alive! Given the opportunity, how would you express the truth found in this verse to someone who needs to hear it? 6
Make it a Prayer As you memorize and meditate on this verse, pray it back to the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit examine your heart, increase your understanding, and help you to pray. Ask Him for faith and strength to act on the truth of God s Word. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 NASB God s Word Bearing Fruit For you, personally, what has been the most important lesson from this study? How will you put what God has shown you into practice? Something to Think About... There is one debt which will always remain outstanding and that is our duty to love. We can never stop loving somebody and say, I have loved enough. 1 - John R.W. Stott - 1 John R.W. Stott, The Message of Romans 1994 Intervarsity Press, p. 348. 7
Message Notes: 2008 Leah Case. All Rights Reserved 8