Romans 13
13
Submission to Civil Government
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment,#tn Grk “by God.” and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. 2 So the person who resists such authority#tn Grk “the authority,” referring to the authority just described. resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment 3 (for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation, 4 for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God’s servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities#tn Grk “its wrath”; the referent (the governing authorities) has been specified in the translation for clarity. but also because of your conscience.#tn Grk “because of (the) conscience,” but the English possessive “your” helps to show whose conscience the context implies. 6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities#tn Grk “they”; the referent (the governing authorities) has been specified in the translation for clarity. are God’s servants devoted to governing.#tn Grk “devoted to this very thing.” 7 Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
Exhortation to Love Neighbors
8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments,#tn Grk “For the…” (with the word “commandments” supplied for clarity). The Greek article (“the”) is used here as a substantiver to introduce the commands that are quoted from the second half of the Decalogue (ExSyn 238). “Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet,”#sn A quotation from Exod 20:13-15, 17; Deut 5:17-19, 21. (and if there is any other commandment) are summed up in this, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”#sn A quotation from Lev 19:18. 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Motivation to Godly Conduct
11 And do this#tn Grk “and this,” probably referring to the command to love (13:8-10); hence, “do” is implied from the previous verses. because we know#tn The participle εἰδότες (eidotes) has been translated as a causal adverbial participle. the time, that it is already the hour for us to awake from sleep, for our salvation is now nearer than when we became believers. 12 The night has advanced toward dawn; the day is near. So then we must lay aside the works of darkness, and put on the weapons of light. 13 Let us live decently as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in discord and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to arouse its desires.#tn Grk “make no provision for the flesh unto desires.”
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Romans 13
13
Submission to Authorities
(1 Peter 2:13–20)
1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. 2Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. 4For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.
5Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. 7Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
Love Fulfills the Law
(Leviticus 19:9–18)
8Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,”#13:9 Exodus 20:13–17; Deuteronomy 5:17–21 and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”#13:9 Leviticus 19:18 10Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
The Day Is Near
11And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Instead, clothe yourselves with#13:14 Or put on; see verse 12. the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
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