Romans 13

== Romans 13:1-7 ==
1 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.  2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  3 For 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:  4 For 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. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 
Paul is continuing his arc with regard to reasonable service.  In chapter 12 he wrote of setting a good example through business and labor.  Here he brings out a second major area that reasonable service addresses the Christian light shining in a dark world, that of submission to those in secular authority.  To do this, Paul first points out that the very concept of earthly authority derives from God.  Though many abuse this authority, the right to govern itself is what Paul addresses here.
The primary premise that Paul asserts first is that the secular authority is not violating God's authority, which is supreme.  Granting that, Christians are to submit themselves to secular authority, to obey the laws of the land for two reasons.  First, because in so doing the Christian sets an important example with regard to authority itself (meaning people will see in the way Christians submit to authority a need to submit to the highest authority).  Second, because God ordained earthly authorities as a tool to bring justice, protection, and all the things governments rightly bring to those governed. IF the government is rightfully due monies, taxes, customs, respect, and honour, then Christians must rightfully render these things to the government.  Many many lessons can be brought from this short passage, but I am only at this time addressing immediate meaning within the overall context of the letter.
I will not at this time go into specifics concerning the American government, though I am sorely tempted. 
== Romans 13:8-9 ==
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.  9 For 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. 
At this point, Paul addresses the concept of debt.  Being a Pharisee and knowing the Law of Moses and the whole of the OT as he does, the issue of debt is a big one.  He understands that when a person is in debt, they are essentially slaves to those whom they owe the debt until it is paid.  In discussing reasonable service, Paul is therefore giving the best way to be free to serve God, that entails not being in debt to someone else who may command you (explicitly or implicitly) to not serve God.
The only debt owed to any and all other humans is that of love, which Paul addresses in chapter 1:14.  What is interesting is that in doing love (not just expressing it verbally) one fulfills the Law of Moses.  Christ made this same claim when He answered the Pharisee lawyer in Matt. 22:34-40.  In all of the laws from the 10 commandments Paul lists, they all ultimately are an expression of agape love. Furthermore, this is another passage of proof that when Paul says "the law" he is referring to the Law of Moses, not the concept of law in general. 
== Romans 13:10 ==
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 
I left this one by itself because it is so profound in its simplicity.  While Paul is speaking directly of the law of Moses here, the general application is found in the concept of the laws of a republic like our own.  Love, a fulfilling of the law, works no ill to his neighbor.  This and statements like it are what our own Constitution were founded on and while I am barely restraining myself from getting into current politics here, I would like my readers to just expand this one thought for a moment to our own laws and the changes that have happened since the civil war and how those changes do or do not: work no ill between neighbors, express love between neighbors. 
== Romans 13:11-14 ==
11 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.  12 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.  13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. 
This last little bit in the chapter is difficult for many and I have never heard a direct lesson on it, only a very brief "always be prepared" kind of skimming reference. But lets address this last section directly.  
Paul's readers knew what time period they were in (the last days), they knew it was time to wake from sleep for "now is our salvation nearer than when we believed".  This cannot be talking of Christ because Christ had already died and been resurrected.  Paul is speaking of collective salvation here and his phrasing implies imminence.  It is at hand (vs. 12). Keeping this in context of the larger letter, Paul must be referring to the end of the Jewish system and their persecution of the church.  "The night is far spent" is a reference to the ignorance of his fellow Jews and the persecution of the bride of Christ that stemmed from it (Romans 10:1-3; 1 Thess. 5:1-4; 1 John 2:8).  Night is the time of fear, of sleep, of the work of evil humans.  But the day of the Lord was at hand.  They were to then put of darkness (ignorance) and put on the armor of light (knowledge - which would protect their souls - see Eph. 6:10f).
He ends with an allusion back to chapters 6-8 and the war of the flesh and spirit of man.  This will be the springboard to launch into chapter 14. 
In Truth and Love.
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