The exhortations at the beginning of chapter 12 concerned how we conduct ourselves among fellow Christians. Then, from verse 14 to the end, we were instructed in how to behave toward the people of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More, with the clear assumption that much hostility will come from that direction. Now, in chapter 13, we are taught how to conduct ourselves toward the governments and authorities of this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More. This was extremely important for early Christians, who often suffered persecution from civil and religious authorities — and it is important for us, living in a time when authority is treated with very little respect.

The Christian’s posture is summed up in one word: subjection. We are to avoid “resisting the authority,” meaning we must not set ourselves in opposition to it. The reason for this must be noted carefully: the authorities that exist have been established by God, and to oppose them is to oppose the God whose authority they represent — and that brings judgment. In verses 1–7, rulers are viewed according to what they are intended to be under God, not necessarily what they are in practice.

Immediately, we might object, thinking of the many distorted and corrupt expressions of authority in the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More. But we must remember that when these words were written, Nero had just begun his reign in Rome; and the man who wrote them — Paul — would soon suffer terribly at the hands of religious leaders in Jerusalem. Read Acts 23:5 and 26:25, and notice how faithfully Paul practiced what he teaches here. Only one thing releases us from the obedience required in this passage: when obedience to human authorities would require disobedience to God. In that case, we must obey the highest Authority. As Peter said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

If we look only at modern political situations, we will certainly be confused. Everywhere we see upheaval, with power passing into the hands of strange and unexpected groups. Under the name of “freedom,” worse tyrannies and atrocities sometimes take place than under the despots of earlier times. But if we turn our eyes to God and His Word, the picture becomes simple. We are not placed in this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More to create governments or overthrow governments, but to seek the interests of our Lord, while giving proper honor and submission to whatever governments exist. The instructions here include paying taxes, customs, and all dues, as verse 7 makes clear. We are to pay everything we owe: rates, customs, income tax — all of it. What the authorities do with the money is their responsibility, not ours. In God’s mercy, that burden does not fall on us.

Verse 8 extends the idea of giving what is due far beyond government — it applies to everyone. The Christian is to owe no one anything except love. That “debt” can never be fully paid. Being the recipient of God’s infinite love, the Christian’s attitude in this unloving worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More is to be one of love. And in doing this, he fulfills the law — though he is not under it, as chapter 6 made clear.

All of this is reinforced by the chapter’s closing verses. We are to live in subjection and in love because we are left in this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More during its nighttime in order to display the character of the Lord Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More while we wait for the dawn. It is all too easy to forget this and drift into the same moral drowsiness and spiritual sleepiness that characterizes the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More. Hence the call: wake up. The hour of our final salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More is drawing closer.

We certainly live in darkness — who does not feel it? But we must cast off the worksAnother word for deeds or actions. God's works are perfect (Gen 1:31), men's can be good works (Matt 5:16) or dead (Heb 6:1). On the basis of his works, unbelieving... More of darkness like filthy rags and instead “put on the armor of light.” We are to be wrapped in the light that belongs to the coming day, for that day is our true home. The believer is to be radiant in the darkness, and the very light he wears becomes his protection. In short, we are to put on the character of the Lord Himself instead of feeding the desires of the fleshThe term "flesh" is used in different meanings in the Bible: a) as an expression of physicality or humanity, which is inextricably linked to our life on earth. Examples: “the... More.

How urgently these words should speak to us! If the night was “far spent” and the day “at hand” when Paul wrote, how much more so now. Truly, it is high time to wake up and clothe ourselves in shining armor. But we must always remember that the “putting on,” whether in verse 12 or verse 14, is not the act of putting on something external to us, like a costume. Rather, it is like a bird putting on its feathers — something produced from within. We already saw this principle in Romans 12:2.