In Romans 13:1-7, Paul is writing to Gentile believers in Rome to obey, not Roman secular/pagan authority, but to obey the God-ordained authority of the synagogue rulers in Rome. This presupposes that the early Jesus believers were continuing to meet with Judean non-believers within the synagogues.
Traditionally the way people have interpreted Romans 13, one to seven is that we should obey the government in so far as we can and not disobey God.
By being faithful to Christ, the world will already think we are rebellious. So Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2:13–17 are encouragements to the church to not give the world any more reason to see us as rebels than obeying the commands of Jesus.
Look at Romans 13:1-7: 1 Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.
I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13 to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained them for the purpose of order. Orderly and lawful processes are good in themselves and protect the weak and lawful.
Paul instructs believers to live in submission to human authorities in government because God has put them there for His purposes. Loving our neighbors as we love ourselves is the ongoing obligation of every Christian.
honor to whom honor.
Christians should go beyond the mechanics of paying taxes. They will never rouse suspicion from government if they respect government. We owe personal regard to government officials. We give them our respect because they have been appointed as God's ministers.
Romans 13:1–7 describes the responsibility for Christians to live in submission to the human authorities in government. The reason given is that every government leader has ultimately been established by God for His own purposes. Generally speaking, human government serves to rein in and punish those who do evil.
Romans 13:1–4 Prays for Leaders that Reflect Christ
Our vote for the sake of governing leaders who promote good and protect against evil. God, help us to know how to do that with the voice and the vote you've given us.
Opposition to human government is antagonism to God's plan for national entities. Therefore [consequently] whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, Christians who rebel against the state dissent against divine establishment for government. Here the idea is opposition or resistance to government.
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
Romans 13:8–14 describes the Christian obligation to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. To do this is to fulfill the law of Moses, because love itself never hurts anyone. The time has come for believers to cast off any works of darkness, including drunkenness, immorality, and jealousy.
Verse eight is not a prohibition against owning debt. It is an injunction to give people what we owe them. The one debt that stands above all others is our debt to love others unselfishly (agape). We are to go out of our way and sacrificially put ourselves out for others.
Now you come to Romans 13:7-8 and you hear something this: “Owe no one anything, that is, owe no one any honor, except to love each other.” What would that mean? It would probably mean: any time you have a debt of honor, you should pay it in love. Every payment of honor should be a payment of love.
This is a profound statement—one that has the ability to revolutionize our lives. But in the same way, it is the most under-taught concept in the entire Bible. This is a key part of the gospel, and yet so many of us have no understanding of what righteousness entails.
Romans 13:7-8 KJV
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. ESV.
“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Rom. 12:13). The implicit temptation here is to regard what God has given as our own and keep it for ourselves. It's easy to say, “It's my home.” Yes, it's the home God has given to you.
4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.
In Romans 13:11-14, Paul tells us that the time of our salvation is rapidly approaching. He urges us to lead a life of integrity, where we clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and abandon our desire to satisfy our sinful nature.
Romans 1 offers insight into how we shall live in this post-Obergefell world. First, we shall not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, “for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). And second, “the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17; Habakkuk 2:4).
Romans 13:3 In-Context
3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God's servant for your good.
Romans 1:1-7 in its short seven verses is a succinct Soteriology (doctrine of salvation) reminding the Jews and Gentiles in Rome of God's saving plan accomplished in Jesus Christ.
What self-denial does mean is that while we can have the desires of our heart, we are to deny our own way of achieving them and trust the Lord to do it His way (Proverbs 16:7, Isaiah 55:8) Denying ourselves also means turning away from the ways of the “old self” and continually putting on our new self in Christ ( ...
It means taking our successes, failures, plans, and questions to God in prayer every single day—not just “the big stuff”. It means seeking out answers from God through the Bible and trusted Godly counsel that help us make decisions based on what is in line with God's will. This is committing to God.