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The Letters · New Testament

Romans 13

Romans 13: subjection to higher powers, love as the law fulfilled, and the night far spent

General context

The instruction is flat: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." Resisting the power resists God's ordinance and brings damnation on the resister. Rulers are described as "not a terror to good works, but to the evil", so doing good brings praise and doing evil brings fear, "for he beareth not the sword in vain". Twice the ruler is called "the minister of God", once for good and once as "a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil". Subjection is required "not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake", and tribute is paid for the same reason, since "they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing". Dues are itemised: "tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." The next sentence turns the language of debt around: "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." Commandments against adultery, killing, stealing, false witness and coveting are gathered into one saying, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself", and "love is the fulfilling of the law". The chapter closes on time: it is "high time to awake out of sleep", "now is our salvation nearer than when we believed", "The night is far spent, the day is at hand", so works of darkness are cast off, "the armour of light" put on, and finally "put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ".

Cited passages: Romans 13:1, Romans 13:2, Romans 13:3, Romans 13:4, Romans 13:5, Romans 13:6, Romans 13:7, Romans 13:8, Romans 13:9, Romans 13:10, Romans 13:11, Romans 13:12, Romans 13:13, Romans 13:14

Romans 13 (KJV)

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.

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Historical context

No ruler, emperor, official or city is named, and no judgment, trial or tax is described. The powers are left general, and the obligations are listed only as tribute, custom, fear and honour. The commandments in verse 9 are quoted in a run without any source formula, in the order adultery, killing, stealing, false witness and coveting; Exodus 20 prints them in the order kill, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness. The summary follows Leviticus 19:18, which reads "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord". The chapter states no exception to subjection and describes no case in which it would not apply, and it measures the nearness it claims only by comparison, "nearer than when we believed", with no date and no interval named.

Cited passages: Romans 13:1, Romans 13:5, Romans 13:7, Romans 13:9, Romans 13:11, Exodus 20:13, Exodus 20:14, Exodus 20:15, Exodus 20:16, Leviticus 19:18

Literary context

Two halves are joined by the idea of what is owed. The first ends "Render therefore to all their dues", and the second begins "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another", so the same word opens onto its opposite. Power is repeated through the opening verses, and "the minister of God" twice, which keeps the ruler inside a description rather than a name. The middle compresses, first a list of commandments into one saying, then that saying into one clause, "love is the fulfilling of the law". The last paragraph changes images entirely, to night and day and then to clothing: cast off, put on, and put ye on, where the final object is a person rather than a garment.

Cited passages: Romans 13:1, Romans 13:2, Romans 13:3, Romans 13:4, Romans 13:7, Romans 13:8, Romans 13:9, Romans 13:10, Romans 13:12, Romans 13:14

Key moments

  1. Subject to higher powers (Romans 13:1). Every soul is told to be subject, with all power traced to God.
  2. He beareth not the sword in vain (Romans 13:4). The ruler is called God's minister and a revenger against evil.
  3. Render to all their dues (Romans 13:7). Tribute, custom, fear and honour are listed as owed.
  4. Owe no man any thing (Romans 13:8). The debt language turns toward love of one another.
  5. Love thy neighbour (Romans 13:9). Several commandments are gathered into one saying.
  6. High time to awake (Romans 13:11). The argument turns to the nearness of salvation.
  7. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14). The clothing image ends with a person rather than a garment.

For reflection

This chapter grounds obedience to rulers in God and names no exception. Read next to chapter 12's instruction not to be overcome of evil, what questions does it leave open for you?

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