Romans Chapter 13 — Authority, Love, and Light
Paul instructs believers to respect governing authorities and emphasizes that love for others fulfills the requirements of the law. He also urges them to live upright lives as the day of salvation nears.
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,”*TR adds “You shall not give false testimony,” “You shall not covet,”✡Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deuteronomy 5:17-19,21 and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”✡Leviticus 19:18
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.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Romans 13:1
“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.”
This verse establishes the foundational biblical perspective on the relationship between believers and civil government.
Romans 13:8
“Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”
This passage identifies love as the primary motivation and the ultimate fulfillment of the moral law.
Romans 13:14
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.”
This concluding exhortation emphasizes the transformation of character through faith and focus on Christ.
Chapter Summary
Romans 13 begins with a call for every person to be subject to governing authorities, stating that all authority is ordained by God. Paul explains that rulers exist to maintain order and that citizens should pay taxes and show respect to those in power as a matter of conscience. The chapter then shifts focus to personal relationships, teaching that the only ongoing debt should be the debt of love. Paul explains that all commandments, such as those against murder or theft, are summed up in the instruction to love one's neighbor as oneself, as love does no harm. Finally, the chapter concludes with an urgent call to moral vigilance. Paul encourages believers to cast off the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. He urges them to live decently, avoiding strife and worldly lusts, while modeling their lives after Jesus Christ and making no provision for the desires of the flesh.
Frequently Asked Questions
The text states that all authorities are ordained by God and serve as His servants to maintain order and discourage evil behavior. Paul encourages submission not only to avoid punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
Paul explains that various commandments, such as those against murder or stealing, are all summed up in the command to love your neighbor as yourself. Because love does no harm to a neighbor, it naturally meets the ethical requirements of the law.
In verses 11-14, this phrase refers to discarding shameful behaviors associated with darkness and living honorably and properly. It is described as putting on the character of the Lord Jesus Christ as the day of salvation approaches.
Study Note
The reference to the 'sword' in verse 4 is a literary metonymy for the state's legal authority to enforce justice and maintain order.
Related Chapters
Titus Chapter 3
Titus 3 also discusses the importance of being submissive to rulers and authorities for the sake of good work.
Matthew Chapter 22
Jesus discusses paying taxes to Caesar and the greatest commandment of love in this Gospel chapter.
1 Peter Chapter 2
Peter similarly exhorts believers to subject themselves to human institutions and honor those in power.
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