Romans 13

Practical Gospel Application in Christian Living

Paul is now giving some practical applications to “gospel” living.  Because of the gospel of Jesus Christ we are no longer slaves to sin are now slaves to a new Master, a living sacrifice modeled after His sacrifice for us. Now we are to prove what the will of God is in any facet of life rather than to conform to the will of the world (cf. 6:11,18-19; 12:1-2).

Such is the composition of New Testament letters, they are not exhaustive encyclopedias of theology and application, instead they deal with the handpicked theological discussions and examples most applicable to the church in question.  What Paul does not mention by way of application here in these final chapters isn’t to say there is no more that remains to be said.  In other words, these topics Paul chooses are not exhaustive of all the good examples the Gospel could be applied to.  In this case Paul chooses application he thought most beneficially to the church in Rome.

Christians Should Respect Human Government

First, Paul deals with what might seem a contradiction to the principle laid out in 12:1.  We are not to conform to the world but recognize God’s will in all things.  Would this mean then we should not conform to human governments?  If we submit to human authorities is this the same as conforming to the world?  Not so.  Submission of government is part of that “good” will of God.  Jesus recognized God’s authority when He stood before Pilate.  Paul similarly applies gospel driven Christian living to submission to human government.

Human government has legitimate right to rule. The powers that be are in place by God Himself (v1), to thwart them would be to thwart God (v2).  But remember as I have mentioned in the previous chapter that these discussions Paul raises are mere applications and not exhaustive discourses on the entire matter.  Many a tyrant have used such verses to compel submission to their evil schemes.

When one is asked by human authority to do what is morally wrong, I prescribe reflection on Daniel and his submissive yet unyielding allegiance to God.  Paul’s discussion in Romans doesn’t entirely deal with every question that could be raised in the face of tyrannous evil regimes, but the contextual boundaries of what Paul is saying doesn’t go beyond the normal workings of government; punishing evil doers and honoring the lawful (v3).  In this sense they are God’s instruments in this corrupted world (v4).

Christians Should Pay Taxes

The application flows very naturally to Christians paying taxes. It is the same principles in application, “for this cause pay yet tribute also” (v6).  Since they are God’s servants then their pay is due, respect and honor those in authority by paying taxes and fees (v7).  Paying taxes was the universal way Christians submitted to human authority, and therefore applied to everyone, even today.  Like the section before this one, it does not lend itself to discussion on tyrannical or unfair taxation.  There is plenty of scripture assures us that God condemns such oppression and will be judged as any injustice will. (See Deut 24:14; Psa 72:4; Prov 22:22; Zech 7:10; James 2:6)

Love Practically Fulfills God’s Requirements

The topic of owing taxes easily slides into the topic of debt, “Owe no man anything” (v8). Love pays of it’s debts and is virtuous in the matter of one’s own obligations to another.  This doesn’t mean Christian is never to incur debt say in the case of buying a home or car, but that Christians should act when payments are due.

Paul explains that in the law are a diverse order of commands, but the governing principle that honors them all is love.  That is to say, if love is one’s nature, then one keeps the law perfectly (v9-10).

Paul gives, along with these applications, a sense of urgency.  He knows the next step in God’s plan is the return of Christ and final judgement.  Jesus’ return since the foundation of the church is an imminent even,  and so Christians need to quickly adopt the principles for righteous living.  Jesus is coming back and we should be prepared.  Paul has laid out practical ways to “put off” the dirty clothes evil deeds and “put on” Jesus Christ (v11-14). Obedience with haste, Jesus is coming back and so let’s don’t get caught unprepared.