The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is now in a detailed study of Paul's epistle to the church in Rome. These are the notes for Session 17.
In chapter 13 Paul focuses on the need to have the right relationships in the world. First, we must be subject to, demonstrate respect for, and pay taxes to the governing authorities. Secondly, we must love our neighbors and live holy lives that stand out against the dark backdrop of a world without God.
Consider these actual activities by so-called “Christians”:
“Anti-government” extremists who refuse to pay taxes
Vigilantes who assassinate abortion doctors
Fringe groups that form their own “sovereign nations” within the boundaries of the United States
Pastors who pray publicly for the death of the President or Supreme Court justices
Congregations that express glee over the deaths of homosexuals to AIDS
Churches that accept and sanction homosexual marriages, heterosexual immorality, and divorce for any reason
What effect do these behaviors have on those in the government and in culture who already view the Church and Christians with suspicion or scorn?
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Now in chapter 13 Paul focuses on the need to have the right relationships in the world. First, we must be subject to, demonstrate respect for, and pay taxes to the governing authorities. Secondly, we must love our neighbors and live holy lives that stand out against the dark backdrop of a world without God.
Consider these actual activities by so-called “Christians”:
“Anti-government” extremists who refuse to pay taxes
Vigilantes who assassinate abortion doctors
Fringe groups that form their own “sovereign nations” within the boundaries of theUnited States
Pastors who pray publicly for the death of the President or Supreme Court justices
Congregations that express glee over the deaths of homosexuals to AIDS
Churches that accept and sanction homosexual marriages, heterosexual immorality, and divorce for any reason
What effect do these behaviors have on those in the government and in culture who already view the Church and Christians with suspicion or scorn?
So let’s get at it;
Romans 13:1-7 NLT Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
Paul may have had several reasons to write about Christians’ duty to the state.
1. The Jews hated to pay taxes to the Romans who had occupied their country. But Paul was teaching the Christians not to oppose the government.
2. Paul believed that the state existed to protect its citizens against attack and crime. The state punished people who did wrong acts. And it rewarded people who did the right acts. Paul himself had received protection from angry Jews (Acts 18:12-16).
Here is an occasion of government protection when Paul was in Corinth
Acts of the Apostles 18:12-16 NLT But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.” But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” And he threw them out of the courtroom.
There was the time of the riot when he was in Ephesus Acts 19:23-38.
Then the time that he was arrested in Jerusalem Acts chapter 22.
3. The state gives benefits, which its citizens enjoy. Paul was able to travel on good Roman roads on his journeys to preach the gospel.
4. Those who govern are God’s servants.
Daniel 4:17 NLT For this has been decreed by the messengers ; it is commanded by the holy ones, so that everyone may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world. He gives them to anyone he chooses— even to the lowliest of people.”
Let’s talk about this in light of what the government from ancient time up to even today has done to and against Christian. For example;
A few years after Paul wrote this letter, the Roman government began to really persecute Christians. The Romans were very cruel and the Christians suffered greatly. Many Christians died during those troubles. The Christians who lived in Rome suffered especially.
Jesus had explained how they should behave in such situations
Luke 21:12-19 NLT “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But not a hair of your head will perish! By standing firm, you will win your souls.
Paul told the Christians to respect and to obey the rulers. Christians should try to be ideal citizens. They should pay the taxes and they should obey the law. They should even consider their rulers to be God’s agents on earth.
Of course, the Christians should not obey the laws that insult Christ, or order you to worship someone or something us them not to tell people about Christ. We should obey all the laws that did not oppose the Christian faith.
In the Roman Empire the result was that their confidence in God impressed everyone. It is true that those Christians suffered in the most awful manner. But God helped them to be noble and brave. Even while they were dying, they continued to speak about God’s goodness. They were not afraid to die because they were glad to go to a better home, in heaven.
Others who saw their attitudes wanted to become Christians too. The Romans thought they could destroy the Christian faith. But in fact, the numbers of Christians in Rome actually increased. Three centuries afterwards, Paul’s letter the Roman government decided that the Christian religion would become their official religion.
So now let’s go back and break down these seven verses.
Romans 13:1-2 NLT Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
Verses 1-2 Christians should obey the rulers to whom God has given power. To oppose people who have authority is to oppose God. But, if a powerful ruler or state does something wicked, Christians do not have to agree with it. Paul does not mean that.
Jesus said that we must pay taxes to our rulers. But we must also give to God everything that belongs to him.
Mark 12:13-17 NLT Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?” Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell you.” When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply completely amazed them.
When Christians have to choose between these two duties, they must ‘obey God rather than men’. Peter said this when the Jewish authorities told the apostles not to speak about Jesus.
Acts of the Apostles 4:18-20 NLT So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”
Daniel was also unable to obey a law. He risked his life. He continued to pray to God when the king told him not to
Daniel 6:10 NLT But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.
Romans 13:3-5 NLT For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
Verses 3-4 Rulers have a duty to punish people who are wicked. Good citizens have no reason to be afraid of them. People who do wrong acts must expect the rulers to punish them. So they have reason to be afraid.
Verse 5 Christians must obey the rulers for a better reason than the fear of punishment. Their conscience should tell them that it is the right thing to do.
Do Christians have to obey their governmental leaders when such leaders issue specific declarations about: 1) where you can and cannot go, 2) what you should wear on your face, and 3) how far away you should stay from other people? What if you don’t agree that such directives make sense?
Christians should obey the government, not simply because they are afraid of consequences, but for the sake of conscience. Christians are instructed by God to obey governmental directives, unless those directives are contrary to whatever instructions God has already given us in his Word.
Are there exceptions? Yes.
Following are a few clear biblical exceptions. You should disobey a governmental directive:
If your government instructs you to kill someone (Exodus 1:15-21).
Exodus 20:13 NLT “You must not murder.
Exodus 1:15-21 NLT Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah: “When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live.” But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too. So the king of Egypt called for the midwives. “Why have you done this?” he demanded. “Why have you allowed the boys to live?” “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women,” the midwives replied. “They are more vigorous and have their babies so quickly that we cannot get there in time.” So God was good to the midwives, and the Israelites continued to multiply, growing more and more powerful. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.
If your government instructs you to engage in false worship (Daniel 3).
Exodus 20:2-3 NLT “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me.
Daniel 3:16-18, 28-30 NLT Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.
If your government instructs you not to pray (Daniel 6).
Daniel 6:6-12, 25-28 NLT So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, “Long live King Darius! We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions. And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” So King Darius signed the law. But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?” “Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you! “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
If your government instructs you to stop sharing the gospel (Acts 4:17-20; 5:27-29; 5:40-42).
Matthew 28:18-20 NLT Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Acts of the Apostles 4:17-20 NLT But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.” So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”
In other words, if a governmental leader instructs you to do something contrary to what God has already instructed in his Word, you not only have permission, but you have an obligation to disobey.
Barring such cases, however, when the authorities God has placed over you instruct you to do something that does not contradict the Word of God, obedience to those authorities is required.
Let us grant, however, that there are some complex decisions that will still confront us, that is, situations where it is not immediately obvious what God might require of us. For example, during the first days after the shelter-in-place directive was issued, some Christians wrestled to weigh the Bible’s requirement that Christians meet together for worship
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
against the Bible’s strong theme of preservation of life. Most Christians eventually saw the wisdom in forgoing corporate worship (temporarily) for the sake of preserving as many lives as possible.
The main point is to remind all of us who are Christians unless we have biblically-derived reasons for doing something contrary to what the government has ordered, we should seek to faithfully carry out whatever has been directed, even when doing so makes us uncomfortable or appears unreasonable.
Romans 13:6-7 NLT Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
Verses 6-7 Because the Romans were the rulers, the Jews had to pay taxes to them. They had to pay a tax on their grain, wine and fruit. Each person between the ages of 14 and 65 had to pay a personal tax. There was also a tax on income. In addition to these, people had to pay local taxes. There were customs taxes on the import and export of goods. There were taxes to use roads, markets and harbours. Paul believed that Christians must pay all these taxes to the state and to the local government. Officials are doing a public service and Christians should respect them.
“Believers are to be model citizens, known as law abiding, not rabble-rousing, obedient rather than rebellious, respectful of government rather than demeaning of it. We must speak against sin, against injustice, against immorality and ungodliness with fearful dedication, but we must do it within the framework of civil law and with respect for civil authorities. We are to be a godly society, doing good and living peaceably within an ungodly society, manifesting our transformed lives so that the saving power ofGod is seen clearly.”—John MacArthur
Love Fulfills God’s Requirements
Romans 13:8-14 NLT Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Verse 8 Paul has spoken about a Christian’s debt to the state through paying taxes and following government directives. Now he says that Christians should be careful to pay their personal debts. The duty to love other people is like a debt. But Christians always have that duty. It is not like a debt that someone can pay off. Christians should always love other people.
Romans 13:9-10 NLT For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.
Romans 13:8-10 NKJV Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 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 love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Verses 9-10 Paul mentions the 5 commandments that deal with relationships in human society. They are the same as in the 10 commandments although not in the same order.
Exodus 20:13-17 NKJV “You shall not murder. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not steal. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
The sin of adultery ruins families. But a person who loves does not want to spoil anyone’s life. People may steal, or they may be jealous. But the person who loves does not rob anyone. And the person who loves is not jealous. In fact, the person who loves wants to give to other people. Jesus said ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ It was one of only two laws that were necessary.
Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Paul repeated those words in his letter to the Galatians
Galatians 5:14 NKJV For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
He urged the Christians to ‘serve each other in love’. If Christians show real love for other people, they are obeying the law completely.
Romans 13:11-14 NKJV 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. 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. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Romans 13:11-12 NKJV 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. 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.
Verses 11-12 Paul describes someone who is asleep. This person needs to wake up in order to dress for a very important occasion. Christians should realise that Christ will return soon. They must eagerly expect that time because then they will receive their new resurrection bodies. Their salvation will be complete. Nobody knows when Christ will return so be ready
Matthew 24:45-51 NKJV“ Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Christians should not be lazy as they wait for Christ to return. God has given them important duties to carry out.
The Great Commission because we are ambassadors for reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:19-20 NLT For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
In verse 12 Paul says put on the armor of light. He must be loyal and he must obey his captain. Christians must behave in the manner that pleases God. Soldiers need to put on armor for battle. The armor will protect them as they fight. And Christians too need to prepare in a special way to do God’s work.
When Paul writes about the ‘night’, he is thinking about the power of the devil and the power of sin. But Paul writes that the dark night is nearly over. So the opportunity for people to do evil things is nearly over. Christ defeated the power of sin and the devil when he died for us. And our salvation will be complete when he returns.
Here’s the armor;
Ephesians 6:13-18 NLT Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Romans 13:13-14 NKJV Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Verses 13-14 Paul writes a list in verse 13 to show how people should not behave. He mentions some evil activities that often happen by night. They drink so much alcohol that they cannot even control their own behaviour. They have sex with the wrong people and in the wrong manner. They argue. They are jealous.
People do such things by night. Then they feel sorry when the next day begins. They feel ill because they ate too much. They are ashamed because the alcohol caused them to do stupid things. They have upset their husbands or wives. They have made their friends angry.
But Christians should not do such things. If ‘the night’ means sin and the devil. Christians belong to Christ. ‘The day when Christ will return is almost here’ (verse 12).
So Christians must always choose right behaviour. They must live in the manner that pleases God. They must live as Christ wants them to live. They must not even think about things that would satisfy their sinful human desires.
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