Romans chapter 13 tells us how Christians are to live in the world and to be examples by submitting to human authority, except where it would have us violate God’s Law.
How the Church Lives in the World
God’s Word tells us how Christians are to live a godly life in the world, and that’s highlighted in Romans 13. Romans 12 was written for how Christians are to relate to one another in the church, but chapter 13 is more about being model citizens in the world as a testimony to Jesus Christ and the Gospel. As for this lesson, there are the five W’s and the one H of each of these verses in Romans 13. They are the “who, what, where, when, why, and how” questions to be used.
How does the Christian affect the world? What does being salt and light mean? What are God’s requirements of every Christian in the world as far as being an employee? Actually, the world would be a better place and so would the business world. If Romans 12 is the model of how Christians ought to relate to one another, then Romans 13 is how Christians ought to relate to their employers and employees and to society in general.
Submitting to Government: Romans 13:1-2
Paul is clear about what God’s expectations are for believers in the world of work and society. Starting in verse one he says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”
Who is Paul talking about here?
Who were the authorities that existed then?
Is breaking the speed limit resisting God’s authority?
Where does all authority come from?
Are there any exceptions for resisting those appointed by God (Acts 5:29)?
What does “God’s judgment” on lawbreakers look like in this society?
Submitting to Employers: Romans 13:3-5
So being an obedient, submissive and faithful worker is commanded of us by God. In verse 3-5 Paul continues, “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.”
God has placed people in the church and in the world as it pleased Him. Some churches have a deacon and an elder and every church should have a pastor so acting in authority for the good of the body of Christ but God has placed in authority over us those who protect and service like law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency services and even the military. We must obey the law while at work, in public, and in private, because these men and women are God’s agents and it is God Who has placed them in their position of authority. It is by His design and His purpose. Be a law-abiding citizen and you’ve got nothing to fear.
What would it be like in society with no law enforcement (authorities)?
Who does the man or woman in law enforcement really work for?
How are “rulers a terror to good works?”
Why should we obey our rulers for our “conscience’ sake?”
How would God display His wrath if we break the law?
Submitting to Rulers: Romans 13:6-7
Paul continues in verse 6-7; “For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”
In other words, we are to esteem those in authority, showing them respect and honor because that is their God-granted role. It doesn’t say give them honor if they deserve it. Do you think when Paul wrote this that Nero deserved it? Remember, they were paying taxes to pay for an occupying army! This clearly shows we are to obey the law and pay our taxes. Jesus said “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Mark 12:17) but also pay customs (which word meant “fees” or money), fear those in authority, and honor to all men and women.
Are there any exceptions to not paying taxes?
What does it mean “render to all their due?”
Does it matter who is in office?
To whom is honor due?
Submitting to our Society: Romans 13:8-10
In verses 8-10, Paul writes that we are to “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness, ‘You shall not covet,’, and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Does this mean that we should never get a loan?
What debt does Paul seem to writing about?
Did Jesus see hate as murdering of the heart (Matt 5:21-22)?
Is gossip the same thing as “bearing false witness?”
When we gossip about others, are we breaking the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves?
Why is love “the fulfillment of the law?
Putting on Christ Publically: Romans 13:11-14
Paul tells us that the world is watching us and so writes in Romans 13:11-13; “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
What does Paul mean by “waking up?”
What day is it which is at hand?
Why is our salvation nearer now than the day we were saved?
What does Paul mean by writing the night is far spent?
What are the “works of darkness?”
What does it mean by “put on the Lord Jesus Christ?”
How can we not make any provisions for the flesh?
Summary
How different would be the world if Christians took to heart these commands to be a good neighbor, citizen, employer/employee, and fellow member of the Body of Christ. Then indeed, it would be said of us all, collectively, that “These that have turned the world upside down are come here also” (Acts 17:6). Maybe it should read we have turned the world, right side up! Below are answers to this study.
Romans Chapter 13 Recap
Answer these questions from Romans 13:1-2
Who is Paul talking about here?
Who were the authorities that existed then?
Is breaking the speed limit resisting God’s authority?
Where does all authority come from?
Are there any exceptions for resisting those appointed by God (Acts 5:29)?
What does “God’s judgment” on lawbreakers look like in this society?
Answer these questions from Romans 13:3-5
What would it be like in society with no law enforcement (authorities)?
Who does the man or woman in law enforcement really work for?
How are “rulers a terror to good works?”
Why should we obey our rulers for our “conscience’ sake?”
How would God display His wrath if we break the law?
Answer these questions from Romans 13:6-7
Are there any exceptions to not paying taxes?
What does it mean “render to all their due?”
Does it matter who is in office?
To whom is honor due?
Answer these questions from Romans 13:8-10
Does this mean that we should never get a loan?
What debt does Paul seem to writing about?
Did Jesus see hate as murdering of the heart (Matt 5:21-22)?
Is gossip the same thing as “bearing false witness?”
When we gossip about others, are we breaking the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves?
Why is love “the fulfillment of the law?”
Answer these questions from Romans 13:11-13
What does Paul mean by “waking up?”
What day is it which is at hand?
Why is our salvation nearer now than the day we were saved?
What does Paul mean by writing the night is far spent?
What are the “works of darkness?”
What does it mean by “put on the Lord Jesus Christ?”
How can we not make any provisions for the flesh?
Conclusion
Please make as many copies as you need for your church or Sunday school class or Bible study group. These are free to use but not for duplication and distribution for money and also with all dure respect, give the website citation. Freely I have received so freely I have given (Matt 10:8). Please do the same and thank you.
Most important of all, I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.
Here is some related reading for you: Roman’s Commentary: Summary and Key Verses
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Welcome to What Christians Want To Know! The mission of this site is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians. Look for regular updates including Bible Verses, Bible Stories, Christian Quotes, Christian Answers, and much more. Find out 
