Village Schools of the Bible

ROMANS: Heart & Soul of the Gospel
A Devotional Study of Romans
by Max Frazier, Jr.

ROMANS 13: "The Christian's Responsibilities toward the State"

Chapter thirteen is the shortest of the chapters in Romans, yet it packs tremendous influence toward our Christian walk. Its focus is upon the Christian and his or her responsibilities toward the State. During the first century, the Church held the doctrine of the kingship of Jesus, thus putting it in opposition to the doctrine of the Roman State where the Emperor was proclaimed not only as king but as god. This led to many early Christians wondering what the relationship was between the Roman State and themselves. In this chapter, Paul seeks to address that issue, in ways that probably shocked many of his readers. In fact, some today still find his teachings to be incredulous.

Notes on verses 1-7: The Christian's Duty to the State is one of subjection

Verse 1 - "everyone" - refers to every believer

"governing authorities" - refers to civil authorities, the rulers of the State. There is no governmental authority except through God (see Daniel 4:17 and John 19:10-11). All power comes through God. No ruler can hold his place except by permission of the God of heaven. People have no right to disobey the authority of existing powers in governmental reign. Opposition to government is opposition to God and results in judgment (see Acts 23:1-5 - to a believer's position to the government)

Verse 3- government rewards the good and punishes the evil

Verse 4 - the officer of the State is a minister of God. The pastor ministers in the spiritual; the State officers minister in the temporal or material. Thus the government is established for good.

Verse 5 - Believers are to be in subjection, not only to avoid earthly governmental dealings, but because of a loving conscience toward God. Is there no limit to my subjection to the State? Yes! The State is limited to the extent that the commands of the State agree with the duty that God lays down for you as an individual (see Acts 5:29). God has the prior right over the soul

Verses 6-7 - believers are to pay taxes

"tax" - personal and property taxes
"revenue" - tax on imports and exports
"respect" - recognition of the position of high officials
"honor" - never speak in a disrespectful way about any officer of the State

Notes on verses 8-10: The Christian's Duty to the Citizens of the State is one of love. It is not subjection, but love.

Verse 9 - never assume an obligation we cannot reasonably be sure of repaying

Notes on verses 11-14: The Christian's Duty in view of Christ's coming is one of wakefulness.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS:

The clarion call, cited in verse 11, is for the believer to wake up from his slumber because the return of Jesus Christ approaches. One of the indictments against the modern-day church is its apathy toward the exercise of the biblical commands to go into all the world and to make disciples. It is not that we do not know the command exists. Most of us have memorized it at one time in our Christian journey. It is not that we do not know what the command means. Volumes have been written on its meaning. It is just that we have chosen to ignore it, or have chosen to procrastinate in our observance of it. Paul encouraged his readers to be people of the day, of the light, and not people of the night, of the darkness. With this thought he echoed the words of Jesus that His desire for us to be lights to the world (see Matthew 5:13-16). How can a person become an effective light for Jesus, one that shines brightly in the midst of a dark age? I believe the answer to that question is found in verse 14. Paul begins with a positive statement - the clothing of ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. It begins with a commitment to make Jesus Christ the first priority within our lives. We desire to love as He loved. We desire to serve others as He served. We desire to rejoice with others as He rejoiced. We desire to stand firmly as He stood firmly. This does not happen automatically. I have to will it to happen. And when I do, then the apathy that afflicted me is removed.

Second, Paul shares a negative statement - not thinking about how to gratify my own sinful desires. I am glad he put these in this order. To begin with the negative is very difficult. To ask someone to not think about how they could gratify they own sinful desires, and yet fail to give them an alternative, is setting the table for failure. But, once Ihave made the commitment to clothe myself with the Lord Jesus Christ, then I am enabled to have my thoughts directed by Him and not by me. Why is this important? It is because of the day in which we live. The world is asking for someone to show character, to exhibit a different spirit, to mark to the beat of a different drummer. It seems we are trying so hard to be like the world, and then wondering why it is not impacted for Christ. I believe it is because we are going about it the wrong way. It is time to wake up and to be lights for Jesus.

Romans 12 Return to the Table of Contents Romans 14