Romans 13

Our Relationship to Civil Authorities

1Every person must submit to and support the authorities over him. For there can be no authority in the universe except by God’s appointment, which means that every authority that exists has been instituted by God. 2So to resist authority is to resist the divine order of God, which results in severe consequences. 3For civil authorities don’t intimidate those who are doing good, but those who are doing evil. So do what is right and you’ll never need to fear those in authority. They will commend you for your good citizenship.

4Those in authority are God’s servants for the good of society. But if you break the law, you have reason to be alarmed, for they are God’s agents of punishment to bring criminals to justice. Why do you think they carry weapons? 5You are compelled to obey them, not just to avoid punishment, but because you want to live with a clean conscience.

6This is also the reason you pay your taxes, for governmental authorities are God’s officials who oversee these things. 7So it is your duty to pay all the taxes and fees that they require and to respect those who are worthy of respect, honoring them accordingly. # 13:7 Jesus was often maligned for being “the friend of tax-collectors” (publicans).

8Don’t owe anything to anyone, except your outstanding debt to continually love one another, # 13:8 There is a pronounced play on words in the Aramaic. The Aramaic word for “owe” is khob, and the word for “love” is khab. for the one who learns to love has fulfilled every requirement of the law. 9For the commandments, “Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet,” # 13:9 See Ex. 20:13–17. and every other commandment can be summed up in these words:

“Love and value others the same way you love and value yourself.” # 13:9 See Lev. 19:18; 1 Cor. 13:4–6; Gal. 5:6.

10Love makes it impossible to harm another, so love fulfills all that the law requires.

Living in the Light

11To live like this is all the more urgent, for time is running out and you know it is a strategic hour in human history. It is time for us to wake up! For our full salvation # 13:11 Or “perfect wholeness.” There is a full salvation ready to be unveiled and unfolded in the last days. See 1 Peter 1:5. is nearer now than when we first believed.

12Night’s darkness is dissolving away as a new day of destiny dawns. # 13:12 See 1 John 2:8. So we must once and for all strip away what is done in the shadows of darkness, removing it like filthy clothes. # 13:12 Implied in the text and supplied to show the contrast of “clothe ourselves” in the next sentence. And once and for all we clothe ourselves with the radiance of light as our weapon. 13We must live honorably, # 13:13 The Aramaic can be translated “We walk with the Designer.” surrounded by the light of this new day, not in the darkness of drunkenness # 13:13 This word includes intoxication by any substance. and debauchery, # 13:13 Or “festive processions” (often to celebrate false deities), “orgies,” “revelries,” “carousings.” not in promiscuity and sensuality, # 13:13 Or “outrageous behavior,” “loose conduct,” “indecencies.” not being argumentative or jealous of others.

14Instead fully immerse yourselves into # 13:14 Or “fully clothed with.” the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, and don’t waste even a moment’s thought on your former identity to awaken its selfish desires.

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Romans 13: TPT

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Romans 13

Obey Your Government Rulers

1All of you must obey the government rulers. Everyone who rules was given the power to rule by God. And all those who rule now were given that power by God. 2So anyone who is against the government is really against something God has commanded. Those who are against the government bring punishment on themselves. 3People who do right don’t have to fear the rulers. But those who do wrong must fear them. Do you want to be free from fearing them? Then do only what is right, and they will praise you.

4Rulers are God’s servants to help you. But if you do wrong, you have reason to be afraid. They have the power to punish, and they will use it. They are God’s servants to punish those who do wrong. 5So you must obey the government, not just because you might be punished, but because you know it is the right thing to do.

6And this is why you pay taxes too. Those rulers are working for God, and they give all their time to the work of ruling. 7Give everyone what you owe them. If you owe them any kind of tax, then pay it. Show respect to those you should respect. And show honor to those you should honor.

Loving Others Is the Only Law

8You should owe nothing to anyone, except that you will always owe love to each other. The person who loves others has done all that the law commands. 9The law says, “You must not commit adultery, you must not murder anyone, you must not steal, you must not want what belongs to someone else.”#Quote from Ex. 20:13-15, 17. All these commands and all other commands are really only one rule: “Love your neighbor#13:9 your neighbor Or “others.” Jesus’ teaching in Lk. 10:25-37 makes clear that this includes anyone in need. the same as you love yourself.”#Quote from Lev. 19:18. 10Love doesn’t hurt others. So loving is the same as obeying all the law.

11I say this because you know that we live in an important time. Yes, it is now time for you to wake up from your sleep. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is almost finished. The day is almost here. So we should stop doing whatever belongs to darkness. We should prepare ourselves to fight evil with the weapons that belong to the light. 13We should live in a right way, like people who belong to the day. We should not have wild parties or be drunk. We should not be involved in sexual sin or any kind of immoral behavior. We should not cause arguments and trouble or be jealous. 14But be like the Lord Jesus Christ, so that when people see what you do, they will see Christ. Don’t think about how to satisfy the desires of your sinful self.

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