Be Subject to Government

v.1 Higher powers refers to all in authority - but in this chapter refers especially to civil authority. This was particularly necessary during Paul's time because many of the Christians were Jews who hated obeying their Gentile masters.

All authority is derived from God. Whatever we may think of them or however they have obtained their power, we are to obey them so long as their commands do not contradict the commands of God, or exceed the powers granted to their office. Sometimes governments may have to intervene in religious matters when such matters affect others who are not of that religion - in such cases the interference is not against religion but against it as a public nuisance.

v.2 We must submit to our rulers, irrespective of whether they are good or bad, or whether they came into power by legitimate or illegitimate means. We submit to them simply because they are our rulers. This is an extension of the principle taught in the Fifth Commandment.

"Damnation" means "sentence", or “judicial decision" (not eternal damnation). In other words, whoever resists his ruler will surely be condemned by God (not by magistrates). This does not mean that we cannot use legitimate God-ordained means to remove bad rulers. For example, we should vote against bad rulers.

Why does God allow bad rulers (eg. Hitler, Pol. Pot) to rule? Because God can allow an ungodly and rebellious people to have the kind of bad rulers they want. If men reject God as their ruler, then they often get the ones that they deserve.

v.3 Another reason for being subject to higher powers is that they usually maintain law and order.

v.4 Rulers are ordained of God (ie, ministers of God) for our good (ie, welfare). Even the worst rulers are better than the chaos caused by a lack of a ruler. If we do wrong we should be afraid of our rulers because their job is to punish evil doers (ie, he beareth not the sword in vain).

v.5 We must not only be subject to our rulers because we fear punishment (ie, for wrath) but because we want to obey God (ie, for conscience sake).

v.6 Since they are ordained of God for our benefit we should pay our taxes (ie, tribute) to our rulers (ie, God's ministers) who are attending continually upon this very thing (ie, ruling us).

v.7 We must faithfully pay our taxes (ie, tribute) and our revenues (ie, custom). We should reverence (ie, fear) our superiors, and we should honour our contemporaries.

v.8 Considering the context of this passage, this verse does not teach that we cannot borrow money for legitimate reasons (though of course we should not borrow when we have no means to repay - as that would be robbery). But rather that we should not owe our taxes. The only debt that we should be always conscious of is a debt that we shall never be able to fully discharge – namely, that of love to others.

v.9 If we love someone then we will not do evil to him, therefore we will not commit the sins mentioned here (nor others).

v.10 If we love our neighbour we will work no ill to him - therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

v.11 From this verse to the end of the chapter Paul encourages Christians to awake and do the duties that he earlier mentioned because they would soon each be called home (ie, salvation from this sinful world).

v.12 Night refers to sin, shame and sorrow. Works of darkness are things that men do in the night, because they are ashamed of them. Day refers to righteousness, purity and happiness. We have spent too much time in sin (ie, the night is far spent).

v.13 As Christians we should walk (ie, to order the course of our life) honestly (ie, properly, fittingly). Three classes of sin are mentioned here: intemperance (ie, rioting and drunkenness), impurity (ie, chambering and wantonness), and discord (ie, strife and envying).

v.l4 Christ must be seen in our lives (ie, put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ). To achieve this we must not make provision (ie, give thought, allowance, opportunity) for sinful desires (ie, lusts of the flesh).