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Read Romans Chapter 13

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1Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4For he is the minister of God to 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.

5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

8Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

You are readingKing James Version

Explanation

Romans 13

In short

Paul tells believers to obey the government because God put it in place. He then shifts to remind them that love is the heart of God's law, and calls them to live as if Christ's return is near, casting off sin and putting on Christ.

What the text says

Verses 1-2: Everyone must obey the authorities in power, since God has established them. Resisting them means resisting God's order, and resistance brings judgment.

Verses 3-4: Rulers punish wrongdoing, not right conduct. If you do good, you will be praised. A ruler is God's agent for your good, but carries the sword to punish evil.

Verse 5: Obedience is required not just from fear of punishment, but from conscience.

Verses 6-7: Pay taxes and respect authorities, because they serve God by maintaining order. Give each authority what is owed: taxes, customs duties, fear, and honour.

Verses 8-10: The only remaining debt is love. Love toward others fulfills the entire law. The text lists commands against adultery, killing, stealing, false witness, and coveting, all summed up in "love thy neighbour as thyself." Love does no harm, so it completes the law.

Verses 11-14: The time is urgent because salvation is nearer now than at the start of faith. Night is ending and day approaching. Believers should shed darkness and put on light, live honestly, avoid excess and quarrelling, and put on Christ, refusing to indulge the flesh.

Takeaways

  • God uses earthly authority to maintain order and restrain evil.
  • All of God's law boils down to the single command to love others.
  • Believers should live as if Christ's return is imminent.

Explanation written with the help of AI. The Bible text above is not changed. Context and interpretation are flagged as such; always come back to the text itself.