Paul's letter to the Romans
A letter of revelation.
Romans 13 - ASV
1. Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God.
Higher powers as according to Godliness. Satan is also a higher power, and Christians are not asked to subject themselves to Satan.
Not that this commandment is lacking words, so as to cause confusion. The people of God ought to have the law printed on their hearts. Godly principles remain unchanged.
Not everything is good when acted upon. Obey God first.
2. Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.
The power must show itself according to the ordinance of God. There is no sin following the ordinance of God.
Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. (James 4v7)
Follow Hitler and evil leaders? The scriptures do not teach that. The scriptures are hundreds of pages thick; not just a few doubtful lines for evil and confusion.
3. For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:
Are these rulers commanding obedience for the good work of God? Are they a terror to the evil?
Evil rulers do not fall into this mode.
To obey (God) is better than sacrifice. It is destruction and sin the obey the Devil and his evil ones.
Do the will of God and receive praise from Him.
Work evil and be cursed the same.
4. for he is a 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 a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil.
This verse confirms again that the earlier verses are concerning obedience of Godly leaders/rulers, not obeying evil powers. Be afraid if you do that which is evil.
5. Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
Be what we really are. Be bright as light as we are children of the light.
Do good. Be honest, sincere, earnest, fair.
6. For this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually upon this very thing.
Honour those to whom honour is due. Be fair. Watch out for the good.
Preach Christ in our conduct and service. Preach love and righteousness.
Do not be hyposrites.
7. Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Good for good. Punishment and warning for the guilt. Sinners rejecting God cannot escape final punishment. Let us warn and admonish sinners.
Let us fulfil our duties.
Be of good manners.
8. Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.
Be fair. Give as much as possible.
Love those who care for you. Aim to fulfil the law which is for our good.
Preach and spread love. Be example of love.
9. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Be fair. Be honest. Be observant.
Preach the gospel of the soundness of God with our conduct.
Follow the good standard. Treasure what is potentially good. Love whatever is loved by God.
10. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.
No good is destroyed by love. Love works goodness. Love aims only for good things.
Love builds up. Love cares.
The law is for our good.
11. And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed.
There is always a sense of emergency. There is very little time left.
Our awaiting time to be with the Lord is ever nearer. Be excited. Rejoice and praise the Lord. His day is near.
Preach His gospel hard.
12. The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Our era is almost over. The day of the Lord is ready to be revealed to the saints.
Leave whatever is not love for God and His creation.
Let us put on the godly things that is of light. Do not put on the light of Satan which is full of deceit.
13. Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy.
We belong to the day. We are children of the light.
We may drink but do not get drunk. Do not loss our sense and awareness. Watch!
Aim for God. Aim at God. Run the race. Finish the task.
14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Have Jesus. Do not cater for what is perishing(the secular world, hell, darkness).
Do not aim to fulfil our lusts and that of the world.
Aim for the fulfilment of the promises of God.
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