13:1-7 Prior to studying Romans 13 in detail I want us to understand the five basic concepts which make up the principle of authority:
I. ALL POWER COMES FROM GOD: Whatever authority a person has is given to him by God. Pilate said to Jesus, see John 19:10-11. Paul confirmed this truth in Romans 13:1-2
II. GOD DESIGNED A BALANCE OF POWER: There are four authority structures in each of our lives: parents, church leaders, government officials, and employers. Each authority is accountable to other authorities so that if power is abused there can be interaction between authorities. The purpose of this balance is to avoid having one authority assume more jurisdiction than God intended and to establish a check and balance system.
DRAW DIAGRAM SHOWING THE FIVE CONCEPTS OF AUTHORITY
III. THERE ARE TWO PURPOSES FOR POWER: every human authority is responsible under God to punish those who do evil and praise those who do well. This is clearly taught in Romans 13:3-5; I Peter 2:13-14
IV. ALL SHOULD BE UNDER AUTHORITY: each of us must be subject to various authorities, even if we are also in a position of authority. For example, a political leader should be under the authority of his church. See I Peter 5:5.
V. ABUSE OF POWER MUST BE APPEALED: God knows that there will be many times that those under authority will need to make appeals. When a human authority fails in his duty, goes beyond his jurisdiction, or commands evil to be done, those under authority must appeal.
HOW TO APPEAL
*make sure you have the proper attitude
*appeal on the basis of Scriptural responsibilities
*if the authority does not respond, appeal to a higher authority
*with no recourse appeal to God and do no evil!
THE PURPOSE OF POWER
The centurion had a good understanding of the chain of command (authority structure). Jesus praised the centurion for his understanding of authority (Luke 7:9). The centurion lived under a chain of command: Emperor, General, and various officers. In addition to the centurion’s understanding of the chain of command, there are three other important insights about authority in Luke 7:
1. AN AUTHORITY’S FIRST CONCERN MUST BE THE WELFARE OF THOSE UNDER HIM: the deep concern of the centurion is evident. "And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick, and ready to die." The elders he sent also confirmed the centurion’s concern. The elders urged Jesus to respond to the request, saying, that he was worthy for whom he should do this: for he loveth our nation, and he hath build us a synagogue.
2. AN AUTHORITY’S AWARENESS OF POWER MUST BE AN AFTERTHOUGHT: it was not until Jesus agreed to come to the home of the centurion that the centurion thought about his power. When a person in authority is primarily concerned about having other people recognizing his power and position, he is out of balance. The Scripture says, "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." Gal 6:3
3. AN AUTHORITY MUST VIEW HIMSELF AS BEING UNDER AUTHORITY: the centurion did not say that he was a man in authority, but rather, "...I am a man under authority" (Matt. 8:9). This recognition carries with it a sense of real accountability to God for the use of his power and genuine humility toward others. This humility is seen in this statement: "...Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof..for I am a man under authority."
When we receive the righteousness of Christ we begin a life of living out that righteousness, producing a life of submission. To the people of Paul’s day, this was an issue also. Romans 12:1-2
13:1 "Let every soul be subject"/ upotassesqw / to arrange under, to subordinate, to subject, put in subjection, to subject one's self, obey, to submit to one's control, to yield to one's admonition or advice, to obey, be subject.
** A Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non_military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden".
"Higher powers"/ uperecousaiV / constituted authorities - to have or hold over one, to stand out, rise above, overtop, to be above, be superior in rank, authority, power, the prominent men, rulers, to excel, to be superior, better than, to surpass
"For there is no power but of God..."/ external power - freedom of action, no right to act, delegated authority to men of responsibility. Prov. 21:1
13:2 "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power" antitassomenoV / to range in battle against, to oppose one's self, resist. If you arrange yourself in battle against the authority, granted by God, you will lose.
"resisteth the ordinance of God"/ anqesthken / to set one's self against, to withstand, resist, oppose, to set against.
"...shall receive to themselves damnation."/ krima / a decree, judgments, condemnation of wrong, the sentence of a judge, the punishment with which one is sentenced, condemnatory sentence, penal judgment, sentence, a matter to be judicially decided, a lawsuit, a case in court.
13:3 cf. I Peter 2:13-15
Romans 13:4 "minister of God" - diokonoV - servant - one who executes the commands of a master, an attendant of a king, a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use, a waiter, one who serves food
every officer, etc. is under the authority of God and is answerable to Him.
"...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.
Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.2 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment. Eccl 8:1-5
The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. Prov 20:2
13:5 *obey the laws of the land. We are children of light and should obey out of a clear and Spirit controlled conscience.
I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. Eccl 8:2
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. Titus 3:1-2
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;14 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. 1 Peter 2:13-14
13:6 if they are corrupt, remember our duty is to God. They will give an account for their actions.
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. Matthew 17:24-27
13:7 "dues"/ moral obligation
"tribute"/ taxes
"custom"/ indirect taxes on goods
And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. Luke 20:25
13:8 "Owe no man anything" - comparison: acquit ourselves of all obligations except to love, which is a debt forever. We should be free from obligation to any city, state, etc.
Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:15 At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee. Deut 24:14-15
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Prov 3:27-28
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matt 7:12
"For he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law" - primary purpose and the function of the law is to turn people to God, who is love. Love is the key word in understanding this passage.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Gal 5:14
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Col 3:14
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 1 Tim 1:5
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: James 2:8
13:9 Cf. Ex. 2):12-17; Deut. 5:16-21; Matt. 19:18-19
"thou shalt not commit adultery"/ 7th / moiceuseiV - Fut Act / Luke 18:11; I Cor. 6:9
"Thou shalt not kill"/ 6th / murder - foneuseiV - Matt. 19:18; 23:35; James 2:11
"Thou shalt not steal"/ 8th / Matt. 6:19,20; Eph. 4:28
"Thou shalt not bear false witness"/ 9th / Eph. 4:25; John 8:44
"thou shalt not covet"/ 10th / Acts 20:33
"love thy neighbor as thyself"/ Gal. 5:14 / love adds to the complete performance of the law. We conform out a right attitude.
13:10 "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
Awake To Righteousness - Romans 13:11-12
We live in perilous times. The world is not getting better. Paul told Timothy that in the latter days, "perilous times shall come." I believe that we are in the last days and that the Lord is making preparation for His coming.
Its time that the church woke up from its lukewarm condition and got busy for Christ again! The Apostle Paul exhorted the Romans to prepare for the coming of the Lord to live as if it were today!!
Every day that passes is another day closer to the coming of the Lord. So then, why are we sitting back on our laurels, being indifferent about the work of Christ, and generally not fulfilling our responsibilities that we once thought were important and dear to us!
13:11 "and that, knowing the time" - eidoteV ton kairon
Pres Act Ptc - to see, to perceive with the eyes or any of the senses, discern, to pay attention, observe, inspect, examine.
**Spiritual vigilance to the timetable of God!!
"...He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? Isaiah 21:11
And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? Matt 16:3
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matt 24:42-44 Cf. 1 Thess 5:1-4
"That now it is high time" - already high time! wra, meaning a certain definite time or season fixed by natural law, seasons of the year, spring, summer, autumn, winter, the daytime (bounded by the rising and setting of the sun), a twelfth part of the day-time, an hour, (the twelve hours of the day are reckoned from the rising to the setting of the sun), any definite time, point of time, moment.
"To awake", egerqhvmai - Aor Pass - to be aroused out of a deep sleep or some intoxication, to a spiritual awareness! Be aroused out of a non-aggressive lazy Christian life, out of spiritual conformity to the world. To cause to rise, to recall the dead to life, to cause to rise from a seat, to appear before the public, construct, erect.
Awake out of lethargy and fervently pursue our high calling. KairoV is the special, critical period of time - full of significance to us in the working out of God’s plan.
So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not. Jonah 1:6
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matt 26:40-41Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 1 Cor 15:34
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Eph 5:14
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 1 Thess 5:5-8"For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed"
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Eccl 9:10
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 1 Peter 4:7
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 2 Peter 3:13-14And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Rev 22:12
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Rev 22:20
13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand - Christ is coming soon - the morning draws near. We are in a warfare with the powers of darkness. We must discard the works and value systems of the powers of darkness and replace them with the armor of light (Eph. 6:14-17). We must Cast off those things which take hold of us and keep us from serving Christ! Take it off, get rid of it, throw it aside. Put on the whole armor of God, the new man, like a new suit of clothes. Put on Christian virtues in the same manner you put on clothes.
Col. 3:12 "Put on therefore as the elect of God...bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering."
Eph. 4:24 "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
Gal. 3:27 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
"Let us therefore cast off"
Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. Ezek 18:31-32
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph 4:22-24
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Col 3:8-10
"The works of darkness"
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:19-21And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Eph 5:11
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7
"And let us put on the armor of light."
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 2 Cor 6:4-7
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph 6:11
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph 6:12-13
13:13 "Let us walk honestly in the day"- peripathswmen
euschmonwV - decently, properly: make one's way, progress; to make due use of opportunities, Hebrew for, to live, to regulate one's life, conduct one's self.
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Luke 1:6
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Gal 5:25
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, Eph 4:1
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Phil 1:27
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil 4:8
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Col 1:10
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 1 Thess 2:12
That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 1 Thess 4:12
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Peter 2:12
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:6
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. Prov 14:25
"Not in rioting" - kwmoiV - revel, carousal, a nocturnal and riotous procession of half drunken and frolicsome men who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music in honor of Bacchus or some other deity, and sing and play before houses of male and female friends; hence used generally of feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry.
Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
Prov 23:20
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Luke 21:34
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor 6:10
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:21
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:11-12
"And drunkenness" - See above, but drunk, just to get drunk
"Not in chambering" - koitaiV - a place for laying down, resting, sleeping, bed, couch, of adultery, cohabitation, whether lawful or unlawful, sexual intercourse
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor 6:9-10
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Gal 5:19
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. Eph 5:3-4
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: Col 3:5
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
1 Thess 4:3-5 (KJV)
"And wantonness" - aselgeiaiV - unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence.
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 1 Cor 10:6
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Gal 5:16
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:16-17
"Not in strife" - eridi - contentious, wrangling
But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. Gal 5:15
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:21
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Phil 2:3
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. James 3:14-18
"And envying" - zhlw - punitive zeal, an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy.
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 1 Cor 3:3
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Prov 3:31
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. Prov 14:30
Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. Prov 23:17
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Acts 13:45
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. Acts 17:5
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. Titus 3:3
Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? James 4:5 (KJV)
13:14 "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ" - endusasqe - Aor Imp - sink into a piece of clothing.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal 3:27
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph 4:24
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Col 3:10-11
"And make not" - poieisqe - Pres Mid Imp
"Provision for the flesh" - provoian - not even an afterthought
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:12-14
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Gal 5:16-17
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Gal 5:24-25
Cf. 1 Peter 2:11-12; 1 John 2:15-17