He employs it 19 times in his epistles (Romans 1:14; 4:4; 8:12; 13:7, 8; 15:1, 27 twice; 1 Corinthians 5:10; 7:36; 9:10; 11:7, 10; 2 Corinthians 12:11, 14; Ephesians 5:28; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:13; Philemon 18). Our text in Romans is particularly significant in that, at the moment, our future is dominated by a deadline—January 15, 1991. 92 James describes this “chain” of events in the first chapter of his epistle (James 1:13-15). While we presently have the forgiveness of God and are declared to be righteous in Him, we have a future hope. Sin is often logical to the sinner. Tertullus, an attorney who was the spokesman for the Jews who opposed Paul, spoke these flattering words to Felix: “Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for the nation, we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness” (Acts 24:2b-3, emphasis mine). But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil (emphasis mine). If we are to live in love, we must be motivated by our love for God and our gratitude for His grace. One is His future day of judgment when all injustices will be rectified, all evildoers will be punished, and the righteous will be rewarded (see Romans 2:5-10). It is not enough to put off works of darkness. When the idea of monetary debt is involved, the reference most frequently occurs in the gospels. 84 The expression, “what is due,” in Romans 13:7 is the same root word, in a slightly different form, as is used in verse 8, rendered “owe.”. Our expectations are unfulfilled, and we are frustrated and depressed. 88 As a friend of mine pointed out, all of these offenses deprive others of something (coveting wishes so) in such a way that we gain at the expense of others. Subject to the governing authorities: The connection between Romans 12 and Romans 13is clear. Paul describes the means for walking in love in both its positive and its negative dimensions: But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts (Romans 13:14). God has provided for us that which we lack. There are two principle themes dealt with in Romans 13:11-14 whose foundations have been laid in the earlier chapters of Romans. The reason is simple: Any action that would harm the neighbor is inconsistent with love. In Romans 12 we were taught how we should respond to other Christians and also how we are to respond to those who are not Christians, even those who are mean to us just because we believe in Jesus. Paul’s teaching in these verses is predicated upon that which he has already taught us in chapters 1-11. The night has passed. Paul is now speaking of love in its relationship to the law. You might do things for which you had never found the time before. We now look forward to His blessings rather than His wrath (see Romans 2:5-10). Love must inspire and govern our ministry to one another within the body of Christ as we exercise our spiritual gifts (Romans 12:3-8).81. ), The Lectionary Commentary: The Second Readings: Acts and the Epistles (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2001), Luther, Martin, Commentary on Romans, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 1976), Moo, Douglas, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: Romans (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1996), Morris, Leon, The Epistle to the Romans (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdman’s Publishing Co, 1988), Mounce, Robert H., The New American Commentary: Romans, (Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995), Witherington, Ben III with Darlene Hyatt, Paul’s Letter to the Romans: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary,(Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. We are obligated to honor those in authority (13:7).84 And we will see in future lessons that the strong are obliged to bear the weaknesses of those who are weak (15:1). You might try to cram a lifetime into those last days. 13:1-7 as a self-contained literary context. We must be armored for battle, because we can expect frequent temptations—a constant probing of our defenses—dangers arising from unexpected quarters—a lifelong battle against evil. Paul uses the agape love-word throughout this passage. Rightly motivated, we must also be rightly enabled to serve God by loving others. Loving God is our first level of priority. “Let us walk (peripatesomen) properly (euschemonos– honestly or decently), as in the day” (v. 13a). When we do, we will seek his good, avoid doing what is harmful to him, and thus fulfill the law. Sin seldom just happens; most of the time it is premeditated. Emotionally and personally speaking, we are not producers; we are consumers. In Romans 12 and 13 Paul has been calling on believers to love; love each other, love their enemies, love everybody. Romans 13:8-10 not only gives my obligation to love others a higher priority than by other obligations (such as to obey government and its laws), but it explains why this can be true: When I love others, I fulfill the law. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness” (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Romans 13:1-14 Bible Study: Submission to Government and Love reminds believers of their responsibility to submit to the government under which they live and practical ways to love those around them. Fulfilling my higher duty assures that I will obey my other duties. He reminds the Christia… Finally, when we consult parallel texts we see that loving others is linked with considering the time of Christ’s return and with forsaking our former lifestyle.91. The giving of love fulfills three purposes. The expression, “owe nothing to anyone,” can be easily misunderstood. The world equates the two, so “making love” is satisfying the lusts of the flesh. The Roman saints must hasten to demonstrate their love. In Romans 13, Paul summarizes the law: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Sessions ignores this part of the epistle, perhaps because it is antithetical to his point. We are to watch, wait, and work until He comes, whenever that might be. Living in love requires that we present our bodies, with their lustful desires, as living sacrifices to God. We look back at the past, not so much to consider the obligation and debt which we owe to our parents, but to see how “dysfunctional” our family was and to contemplate how family members failed us. The law tends to prohibit men from those actions which would harm their fellowman. Romans 13:8-10 only love is a debt we must always owe, and virtually containeth the whole law. 13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. Jesus taught the same thing (see Matthew 22:34-40). 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. He directs our attention to what love will not do.82 Specifically, love does no wrong to our neighbor (13:10). Self-control provides the ability to resist what may cause pain to others. But they still seem to be “sleepy Christians,” not fully awake and alert. He is the one whom good Jewish people avoid. 13Let us walk (Greek: peripatesomen) properly, as (Greek: hos) in the day; not in reveling (Greek:komois—carousing) and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity (Greek: koitais—sexual immorality) and lustful acts (Greek: aselgeiais—unbridled lust), and not in strife and jealousy. Another passage, Hebrews 5:11-14, describes the danger of stunted spiritual growth: Concerning him [Melchizedek, see 5:1-10] we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. Salvation has two dimensions in Romans 1-11. I could give or loan my neighbor enough money to prevent his bankruptcy or even offer to buy the antique at fair market price. Third, as Paul states next, love fulfills the law. “that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep“ (v. 11c). Even here, however, the Law sought to prevent harm to others, while looking to love as the incentive for doing good. For this reason the pious Fathers declared that whoever desires to serve God must root out, above all, the vice of gluttony. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i... More. Paul directs us to think both of our initial salvation and of our final salvation, and of the limited time which we have to offer to Him our service of worship in this life. In this sense, we are under an illicit obligation to them. In verse 7, Paul said, “Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.” “Owe no one anything,” then, continues that thought. X (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002), Copyright 2008, 2011, 2017, Richard Niell Donovan, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.” Love acts both positively and negatively. This crisis could play a significant role in the final events which pave the way for the coming of our Lord to judge the earth and to establish His kingdom. From very early times, Jews used the word “walk” to speak of the manner in which one conducted one’s life: Paul admonishes us to behave honorably, honestly, decently. You might travel to places you have always wanted to see. The term is seldom used of a financial obligation (see Philemon 18), but of a higher, more general, obligation or duty. If you love your spouse with agape love, you will not commit adultery. 91 See Galatians 5:13-26; Ephesians 4:22-24; 5:6-16; Colossians 3:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; 1 Peter 4:1-11; 2 Peter 3:8-15. Second, verses 1-7 remind us that all those in power have been ordained of God, and thus carry out their tasks as God’s ministers with His authority. For one thing, such behavior is appropriate to who we are—to whose we are. These two themes are salvation and love. The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament. When we put on the Lord Jesus Christ we will manifest Him through our lives. If the Christian is not to seek personal vengeance, it does not take away the government’s authority to punish wrongdoers. There are those who rob from the rich, justifying their actions by accusing their victims of having wrongly acquired their wealth or of wrongly using it. The term “providence” above is the same one used by Paul in our text in Romans. Then Paul says that faith must give rise to appropriate conduct. Most often, it is not employed in the sense of a financial debt or obligation. Paul’s words turn our attention both to the motivations which inspire love and the means which help it function. Judgment should be left to God rather than taken into our own hands. Third, verses 1-7 directly relate to the theme of loving others which precedes and follows Paul’s teaching about human government. A Lasting Legacy: Choosing A Wife For Isaac (Gen. 24:1-67). with “the works of the Spirit” (love, joy, peace, etc.) Biblical Commentary (Bible study) Romans 13:8-14 EXEGESIS: ROMANS 12-15. In the Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5:21-48), Jesus taught that those attitudes which lead to sinful actions are just as sinful as the actions themselves. Let us not waste this time, but rather serve God faithfully and so be found faithful when He returns. It is this love which prevents us from doing harm to our neighbor (Romans 13:8-10). Why is the emphasis of these verses so negative? It applies to us all and demands the careful attention of each of us. This is the date which the United Nations has set for Iraq to retreat from Kuwait or face the threat of attack. We are obligated not to live according to the flesh (Romans 8:12), but to serve others and seek their good—even our enemies (12:3ff.). It does not expect men to voluntarily do good toward others. Christians are to love their enemies (12:9-21); to subject themselves to authorities (13:1-7); and to love one another (13:8-10). Paul uses kairos here, signaling that he is speaking of a significant moment in time. In some sense, salvation is both present and future. “except to love one another” (v. 8b). Romans 13:8-14. Love would never permit the things the Old Testament Law forbade. Achtemeier, Paul J., Interpretation: Romans, (Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1985), Barth, Karl, The Epistle to the Romans (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1933), Briscoe, D. Stuart, The Preacher’s Commentary: Romans, Vol. There is no time to waste! Second, the first words of verse 11 point back to the previous verses. 2. The Bible condemns adultery as a violation of love. In Romans 13:8-14, Paul proposes a radically different response to a similar type of deadline—one every Christian must face. (Romans 13:8-14 The Night Is Nearly Over) We must constantly be subject to His Lordship, accepting His moral standards, living in constant fellowship with Him, and depending upon His strength. To make a space in our lives for the sarx-flesh would reveal a lack of resolve to live a Godly life. Let every soul be subject to the supreme powers— An admonition peculiarly needful for the Jews. We look around to see if others are affirming us and meeting our needs. In the first place, he is looking at that time which has elapsed between our initial salvation and the present. In Romans 13:8-14, Paul proposes a radically different response to a similar type of deadline—one every Christian must face. If, on the one hand, Paul says that too much unprofitable time has passed by, then the time they have left is slowly eroding away. Anger is forbidden because it leads to murder. Don't be conformed to … A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments”(Matthew 22:36-40; see also Leviticus 19:18). First, Romans 13:1-7 explains why we can return good for evil to our enemies rather than seeking to retaliate (see 12:17-21). Christ has come, and has pierced the darkness. Nothing turns people away from Christ like a person who claims to be a child of the light but who behaves like a child of darkness. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" (Romans 13:8-10) Love is an incredible thing. Then in my first waking moments I become increasingly aware of the light. Charles Hoffacker Listen again to what St.Paul tells us in today’s passage from his Letter to the Romans: “Owe no one anything, except to love one another.” Owe no one anything, except to love one another. You might try to cram a lifetime into those last days. Imagine how you would feel if you were told that you had only a few months to live. Love fulfills the law, Paul tells us. Paul includes a similar but more complete list of perilous sins in Galatians 5:19-21. In our culture, with its emphasis on eros (sexual) love, it is quite possible to misunderstand “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” as endorsing sexual license. Romans 13:8 Owe no man anything From the payment of dues to magistrates the apostle proceeds to a general exhortation to discharge all sorts of debts; as not to owe the civil magistrate any thing, but render to him his dues, so to owe nothing to any other man, but make good all obligations whatever, as of a civil, so of a natural kind. They adamantly teach that Christians cannot owe a person anything. Paul does not say here that the day of salvation, the day of the Lord’s return, is imminent. 12 The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. We are surprised to see these apparently minor sins in Paul’s short list of poisonous sins. It seems clear that Paul is referring to the Second Coming and that he believes it to be imminent. We are to love others “knowing the time.” Paul uses the well-known symbols of “night and day,” “darkness and light,” and “sleep and waking up.” We usually go to bed at night when it is dark. It means thinking and acting in a way so as not to please oneself but others (verses 3-8), and it means making one’s love for others genuine (verses 9-21). We must do so knowing that more than enough time has passed for us to have grown and to have changed and that less time than ever is available to faithfully serve the Lord. This man, like us, made provision for the lusts of his flesh, and so he fell. But even though our text in Romans draws attention to life’s ultimate deadline—the coming of our Lord—it challenges us to do more than be preoccupied with it. The Hebrew saints had been saved for some time. We must also agree with Paul that some sins (he specifically names coveting) would never be recognized as sin unless God divinely forbade them as such (see Romans 7:7). “for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed“ (v. 11d). I go to bed at night. It is this love which we must have for our fellow Christians, our neighbors, and even our enemies (Romans 12:3-21). Coveting anything which belongs to my neighbor is wishing he did not possess what God has given him. That is more readily acknowledged to be from God than these. Let us by His grace seek to do them—for His glory and for the good of others—until He returns for us. Proximity alone tells us these two paragraphs are logically related. Before electric lights, people rose early to take advantage of every moment of sunlight and to accomplish as much as possible before the coming of the afternoon heat. How do those in Christ live, now that we have received God's great mercy for us? 12The night is far gone, and the day is near. The coming of the dawn is an indication that it is time to wake up, get up, and get about the deeds of the new day. He wants believers to be awake and alert to greet the coming of the dawn. The law prescribed in great detail how Israelites should deal with each other and with others beyond their community. There is no human means for Christ-like living. It does not submit to God’s law nor can it do so. Romans 13:8-14 begins, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another…” I have actually heard this text interpreted to mean “stay out of debt.” Which might be a very good idea, but Paul uses the idea of debt here to teach us another lesson. I see three links between these two paragraphs. If we would be victorious over sin and the flesh, we must cease to make provision for it. Since the English word, love, is imprecise, we should be careful to clarify the kind of love that we mean by agape. Second, the Christian who shows love for his/her neighbor becomes a powerful witness for Christ. Because of this, adultery is condemned as sin and contrary to love. The day has begun to dawn, but light is not yet shining full force. The love of God is that certainty which gives the Christian joy, hope, and assurance, even in the midst of present trials and adversity (Romans 8:31-39). These have to do with sexual sins. It casts off the evil attitudes and actions which characterized us before our salvation and which are typical of the unbelieving world in which we live. First, the one text immediately follows the other. Let’s begin by considering the connection between verses 8-10 and verses 11-14. Romans 13:8-14. The church at Corinth was beset with similar problems (1 Corinthians 5-6). When we do so, we will manifest His love, a love for those who had offended Him and who were His enemies. Coveting, too, is evil because it leads me to wish that my neighbor were deprived of something he owns so that I could possess it. Romans 13:11-14 Rioting, drunkenness, and other works of darkness must be put away, as much out of season under the gospel. It first appears, in a very rudimentary form, in the earliest of the Epistles, that to the Thessalonians. The time which has passed should have produced growth and maturity and greater sensitivity to both good and evil. Sarx is an ugly-sounding word that depicts an often ugly reality––a focus on bodily indulgence rather than on Godly service. The love of God, so evident and so secure for the saint, should also be reflected by the saints. Two things are stressed in verses 11-14. In fact, adultery is often justified by asserting that there was not love in the marital union but there is love in the extra-marital one. ; renderings 7 x; owe 7 x; be guilty1 x; be bound 2 x; be indebted 1 x. A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments”, All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group. This can be seen by his words in Romans 14:15: “For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love.”. God manifested His love in the death of Christ by which He drew many to Himself and to salvation (Romans 5:5-11). These themes give unity to the entire section which we are studying. His way is the better way; His way is the way of love. It does great damage to the individuals and families involved. Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20 ... What you say to one another is eternal. In other words, this sacrifice is not accomplished independently, but in and through community. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law“ (v. 10). But if I covet it, I will be tempted to do nothing good to help my neighbor to escape financial disaster—then buy the antique at a liquidation auction at a fraction of its value. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. The mind has a way of excusing what the wicked heart desires and the hand performs. The coming of light indicates the passing of night and the beginning of a new day. Let us read the passage in context, beginning in Romans 13:8: “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. In the New Testament, sarx is most frequently used as a contrast with that which is spiritual (John 3:6; 6:63; Romans 7:18; 8:3-6). The important thing is to be found faithful when our Lord returns. 89 Some do, however. What does the Bible say to the church, and to the individual Christian, about the role of politics in the church? The duty of subjection to governors. Later when Paul turns to the strong and the weak in Romans 14 and 15 (14:1–15:13), he is still applying the principle of love. In Romans 13:1-7 he reminds us that government’s role is consistent with our own calling. What does Romans chapter 13 mean? 6:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 5:15). 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