Romans I have made a commentary of sorts with my thoughts on the Bible Romans Chapter 13 Quick take: Brain smashingly amazing Written December 2, 2006 through December 6, 2006 Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 December 2, 2006 Romans 13:1 The end of chapter 12 sounds like Christians are to welcome the world’s walking over us. However, chapter 13 follows immediately saying the government will deal with the evil committed against people. There are some atrocious governments out there that were established by God. But consider how Israel wanted a king to rule over them against God’s desire (1 Samuel 8). God warned them of the dangers but established it anyway. So, one could argue that the bad governments of the world represent what the nation want. December 4, 2006 Romans 13:2-3 I believe there is a distinction here between the wrath of God and the wrath of a ruler. It is morally wrong to act in such a way that brings God’s wrath. You cannot necessarily say the same about acting in a way to bring a ruler’s wrath. If a rebellion establishes another government, we must say that God established the new ruling authority, in which case, He was more than likely in the rebellion as well. We can be sure that a rebellion would bring the wrath of the ruler, but not a moral failure. In the case of rebelling against ungodly governments, you can expect the ruler’s wrath, but I don’t think this verse is discouraging it, because you can fight and overcome that wrath. Romans 13:4 God put the ruler in charge to do the people good. So, if he is not doing good, he is not fulfilling God’s purpose and it would be morally ok to rebel. He has the authority and power to harm the wrongdoers. Chapter 12 verse 18 says to live at peace with everyone whenever possible, this would include the rulers, and obeying the laws. Romans 13:5 Here is the distinction between the morality of rebellion vs. obedience. We are to submit for conscience sake. However, there comes a time when we are to rebel for conscience sake. Romans 13:6-7 These two verses are summed up by “Give everyone what you owe him”. It is another very simple yet, impossibly thorough command. December 5, 2006 Romans 13:8-10 Paul continues the bit about living at peace whenever possible. Stealing, robbing, murdering, coveting are all enemies to living at peace with everyone. These are not loving was to act towards someone. Put so simply, it sounds stupid or insulting. Any child could tell you don’t steal, but somehow as we get older we find new was of looking at stealing as not stealing. Peace with our neighbors is attacked by outstanding debt. It is ok to be indebted to someone, but don’t let it string out. We should however, always feel indebted to love one another. This is an easy one to forget. When you owe someone a debt, they almost become your lord. You jump to their wishes, listen to them intently and serve them joyfully. When the debt is love and not money it is even deeper service. It is so perfect how we don’t have to worry about not doing these bad things. Just love and you’ll fulfill the law. Don’t harm (coveting harms, stealing harms, murdering obviously). December 6, 2006 Romans 13:11 I think the “do this” is referring back to the living as in love-debt to everyone. We are to love everyone knowing that now is the time to wake up. Ultimate salvation is right around the corner, it is closer than when I first became a Christian and this is the best reason to wake up and stop being lazy. GET UP! It’s time to fight. Romans 13:12 Righteousness come easier during the day, because difficulties are illuminated in the light. We are at war the first thing in fighting the darkness is to stop behaving as one belonging to it. Then, protect yourself from it by using the armor of light. It is vital and no one can survive without it. Romans 13:13-14 I think this is one passage that loses some of it’s meaning when read today. I think if this letter was written to America today, he would be saying pornography, greed, and other things. These are certainly still valid things to avoid, but I get the idea they were socially acceptable sins of Rome and today we have different socially acceptable sins. Think about glorifying Jesus. Think about filling yourself so full of Him that He seeps out every aspect of your life, even in the socially (or personally) acceptable sins. Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16