Romans 13

The fourteen verses of Romans 13 are incomplete when it comes to the gospel story, but Paul appears to assume we know it. Here he offers us instruction in our daily lives.

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. (Romans 13:1 KJV)

We are here for God’s purpose. He will allow, and use, those who deny and/or ignore Him.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (Romans 13:7 KJV)

Shakespeare borrowed from the following verse to advocate being neither a borrower nor lender.

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8 KJV)

We fulfill the second greatest commandment in this verse.

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:10 KJV)

I enjoyed finding the source of one of my grandmother’s comments. So often she would say, “It’s high time that …”

And 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. (Romans 13:11 KJV)

Are we ready for the light? Do we really consider that today may be the Day of the Lord? As Christians we’ve talked about it for so long that perhaps we’ve forgotten He could return soon. We look back centuries where He did not and calculate centuries ahead that He will not. Yet we’re told:

The 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. (Romans 13:12 KJV)

Jesus told us that He was the light of the world.

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:5 KJV)

And, the light of heaven.

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. (Revelation 21:23 KJV)

It is up to us to be His light in the world

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14 KJV)

The chapter fittingly ends by telling us how to be that light.

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (Romans 13:14 KJV)

Saint Paul Writing His Epistles. Artist either Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier, 16th century. Part of the Blaffer Foundation Collection, Houston, Texas (Wiki Commons)