Romans Chapter 13, Subjection To Government; Biblical Civil Disobedience; Which Authority?; The King's Heart; Resisting Authority; Common Grace; The Problem Of Evil; Capital Punishment; Tyrants= Usurped Authority; Taxes; Owe Nothing To Anyone; Love One Another; Civil Disobedience

1. Romans 13
Subjection To Government; Biblical Civil
Disobedience; Which Authority?; The King's Heart;
Resisting Authority; Common Grace; The Problem Of
Evil; Capital Punishment; Tyrants= Usurped
Authority; Taxes; Owe Nothing To Anyone; Love One
Another; Civil Disobedience
Beautiful alpenglow shot taken in Galena - where the
temperature is currently -15. Brant Dallas Photography

2. BIBLE IN FIVE
Pastor Dave Kooyers
Valley Bible Fellowship
Box 433
Boonville CA 95415
http://www.slideshare.net/dkooyers
www.ValleyBibleFellowship.org
(707) 895-2325
God bless you as you examine His Word,
Your servant in Christ, 2Cor. 4:5
These Microsoft PowerPoint presentations are provided "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ"
(Ephesians 4:12-15). To help Christians to "to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." So that "we are no longer...tossed here and
there...by every wind of doctrine." They may be downloaded and modified free of charge.
Matthew 10:8 …Freely you received, freely give.

3. Romans Outline
• Sinners All, 1-3
• Salvation is by grace alone, 3:21-5
• Sanctification, our walk, 6-7
• Sovereign security and assurance, 8
• Salvation, privileges, position, promises of Israel, 9-11
• Service to God, 12
• Submit to Authorities for God, 13
• Stick to essentials, liberty in nonessentials, 14
• Serve each other, singing rejoicing, 15:1-19
• Saints to visit, 15:20-16:27
3

4. Romans 13
Troy Kreienhop sent me this.
• “…Throughout Christian history, Paul's 13th
chapter of his epistle to the church at Rome has
been used to whip those in the pews into blind
submission to government authority. Lutheran
pastors hid behind Romans 13 as Hitler & the
Nazis engaged in mass atrocities & genocide.
Many during our own War for Independence from
British tyranny waived Romans 13 as a banner
against the Patriot cause. "Submission to
government authority at all costs is biblical ..." Or
is it …" 4

5. Romans 13:1
Be Subject To “authorities”?
• NAS Romans 13:1 Let every person be in
subjection to the governing authorities….
• NAS Titus 3:1 Remind them to be subject to
rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready
for every good deed, 2 to malign no one, to be
uncontentious, gentle, showing every
consideration for all men. 3 For we also once were
foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved
to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in
malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
5

6. Romans 13:1
Be Subject To “authorities”?
• Which “authority”?
• NAU Luke 4:5 And he [the devil] led Him up and showed Him
all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And
the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain and its
glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to
whomever I wish. 7 "Therefore if You worship before me,
it shall all be Yours."
• NAU Matthew 4:8 …the devil took Him to a very high
mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world
and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, "All these things I
will give You, if You fall down and worship me."
6

7. Romans 13:1
Be Subject To “authorities”?
• NAU Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying,
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
• Which authority, the devil, or Jesus?
• NAU 2 Corinthians 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has
blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the
light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
• NAU Hebrews 2:14…He Himself likewise also partook of the same,
that through death He might [subjunctive] render powerless him who
had the power of death, that is, the devil,
• NAU Psalm 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit
at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your
feet."
7

8. Romans 13:1
Jesus Proved His Authority
• Jesus proved His authority over demons, and disease
(Mark 1:27-34, Matthew 10:1), (and He gave it to His
disciples, Matthew 10:5-8, Luke 9:1-2; 10:17). Jesus
proved His authority by forgiving sins (Mark 2:5-12) and
controlling nature (Mark 4:39-41).
• Jesus demonstrated his authority over religious experts
and leaders by driving out the money changers in the
Temple (Mark 11:15-17, 27-28). Jesus claim that He is
“life” (John 14:6) and has the authority to raise Himself
from the dead (John 2:18-19; 10:17-18). He alone has
victory over death
8

9. Romans 13:1, Jesus Authority
• NAU Romans 13:1 …be in subjection to…God…
• NAU Colossians 2:10 and in Him you have been
made complete, and He is the head over all rule
and authority;
• NAU Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders [under
shepherds of Christ] and submit to them, for they keep
watch over your souls as those who will give an
account. Let them do this with joy and not with
grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

10. Romans 13:1–7
Biblical Civil Disobedience
• NAU Exodus 1:17-22, But the midwives feared God, and
did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but
let the boys live… 20 So God was good to the
midwives…21 …because the midwives feared God, that He
established households for them.
• NAS Joshua 2:1 …Rahab… 3 And the king of Jericho sent
word to Rahab… 6 But she had …hidden them in the stalks
of flax…
• NAS 2 Kings 11:1 When Athaliah…destroyed all the royal
offspring. 2 But Jehosheba…took Joash…from among the
king's sons who were being put to death…
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11. Romans 13:1–7
Biblical Civil Disobedience
• NAU Acts 4:19 But Peter and John answered
and said to them, "Whether it is right in the
sight of God to give heed to you rather than to
God, you be the judge;
• NAU Acts 5:29 But Peter and the apostles
answered, "We must obey God rather than
men.
• 1 Samuel 14:45, Jonathan saved from death
• (1 Kings 18:3-4, Daniel 3+6, Revelation 13:15)
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12. Romans 13:1, Civil Disobedience
• NAU 1 Peter 2:12 Keep your behavior excellent among the
Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as
evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they
observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Submit
yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution,
whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors
as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the
praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God
that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish
men. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a
covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor
all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
12

13. Romans 13:1
Which Authority?
• NAU 1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves for the
Lord's sake to every human institution…15 For
such is the will of God that by doing right you
may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
• NAU John 19:10 Pilate therefore said to
Him…Do You not know that I have authority to
release You, and I have authority to crucify
You?" 11 Jesus answered, "You would have no
authority over Me, unless it had been given you
from above…

14. Romans 13:1
The King's Heart Is At God's Discretion
• NAU Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is like
channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He
turns it wherever He wishes.
• NAU Daniel 5:21 …the Most High God is ruler
over the realm of mankind and that He sets
over it whomever He wishes.

15. Romans 13:1, Authority?

16. Romans 13:2, Resisting Authority
• NAU Romans 13:2 Therefore whoever resists
authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and
they who have opposed will receive condemnation
upon themselves.
• “If you are going to walk with Jesus Christ, you are
going to be opposed.... In our days, to be a true
Christian is really to become a scandal.”
• --George Whitefield (English preacher who proved
to be one of the vessels used by God in the Great
Awakening)

17. Flight Is A Way To Resist,
Flee Evil Rulers
• NAU Matthew 23:34 "Therefore, behold, I am
sending you prophets and wise men and scribes;
some of them you will kill and crucify, and some
of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and
persecute from city to city, [they are fleeing]
• NAU Matthew 2:13…an angel of the Lord
appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up!
Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt…
1
7

18. Flight Is A Way To Resist,
Flee Evil Rulers
• NAU John 7:1 After these things Jesus was walking in
Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because
the Jews were seeking to kill Him.
• NAU 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee immorality. …
• NAU Exodus 2:15 …Moses fled from the presence of
Pharaoh… (Acts 7:29)
• NAU Acts 14:5 ….the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat
and to stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled
to the cities of Lycaonia…
• NAU 1 Samuel 19:17 …Saul… 18 Now David fled and
escaped… 1
8

19. Romans 13:3-5
• NAU Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for
good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear
of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise
from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for
good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not
bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God,
an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices
evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not
only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

20. Romans 13:3, Common Grace
• NAU Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a cause of
fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want
to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and
you will have praise from the same;
• The restraint of evil by government is a common
grace;
• NAU Acts 14:17 and yet He did not leave Himself
without witness, in that He did good and gave you
rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying
your hearts with food and gladness.”
• NAU Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger and
great in power…

21. Romans 13:3, Common Grace
• NAU Matthew 5:45 …your Father who is in heaven; for He
causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends
rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
• God has ordained the family unit, and government for all
people. (Gen. 9:6: 1 Cor. 11:7)
• “The old British preacher Martyn Lloyd Jones described
common grace in the best way I have found: “Common
grace is the term applied to those general blessings which
God imparts to all men and women indiscriminately as He
pleases, not only to His own people (Christians), but to all
men and women, according to His own will”.”
http://www.bridgesh.com/2011/12/what-is-common-
grace/
• Henry Ward Beecher said, “The sun does not shine for a
few trees and flowers, but for the wide world’s joy.”

22. Romans 13:3, The Problem Of Evil
• NAU Romans 13:3 …but for evil…
• Mark 7:21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed
the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,
• Ravi Zacharias says, “When the question of evil is raised, it is
either raised by a person or about persons…which means that
the intrinsic worth of personhood is assumed in the question.
Can one really make that assumption within a totally
naturalistic framework? Isn't it not contrived and extraneous
then, the value, ... Every human life is a life of worth and of a
life of value…”
• DLK adds, “I have never heard anyone complain about the evil
of tornados, or spiders capturing and eating insects, or lions
eating gazelles, or ravens stealing eggs. No, evil is a problem
only when the image of God, a human, is violated.”

23. Romans 13:4,
The Sword= Capital Punishment
• NAU Romans 13:4 …it does not bear the sword for
nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who
brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
• Paul submitted himself to the lawful use of the
sword;
• NAU Acts 25:11 "If, then, I am a wrongdoer and
have committed anything worthy of death, I do not
refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of
which these men accuse me, no one can hand me
over to them. I appeal to Caesar."
23

24. Romans 13:4,
The Sword= Capital Punishment
• NAU Matthew 14:4 …John had been saying to him, "It is not
lawful for you to have her.”…10 He sent and had John
beheaded in the prison.
• NAU Matthew 26:51 [Peter] drew out his sword, and struck
the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.
• NAU Matthew 26:52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your
sword back into its place; for all those who take up the
sword shall perish by the sword.
• NAU 1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties
and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf
of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that
we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and
dignity.
2
4

25. Gen 9:6, Shall His Blood Be Shed
• Gen 9:6
• "Whoever sheds the blood of man,
• by man shall his blood be shed;
• for in the image of God
• has God made man.

26. Gen 9:6, Capital Punishment
• Ex 20:13 Thou shalt not kill. KJV
• Ex 20:13 "You shall not murder. NIV
• Ex 21:12-14 "Anyone who strikes a man and
kills him shall surely be put to death. 13
However, if he does not do it intentionally, but
God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will
designate. 14 But if a man schemes and kills
another man deliberately, take him away from
my altar and put him to death.

27. Romans 13:4
Tyrants= Usurped Authority
• NAU Romans 13:4 for it is a minister of God to
you for good…
• When rulers oppose God and do evil, they are
not acting under His authority. They will be
judged accordingly.
• 2 Chronicles 26:16-21, Uzziah
• Uzziah was a good king for 52 years, then he
went bad and was struck with leprosy.
27

28. Romans 13:4
Tyrants= Usurped Authority
• Tyrant, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• “…A tyrant (Greek τύραννος, tyrannos), in its modern English usage, is an
absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution, or one who has
usurped legitimate sovereignty. Often described as a cruel character, a
tyrant defends his position by oppressive means, tending to control almost
everything in the state.[1][2] The original Greek term, however, merely
meant an authoritarian sovereign without reference to character,[3]
bearing no pejorative connotation during the Archaic and early Classical
periods. However, it was clearly a negative word to Plato, and on account
of the decisive influence of philosophy on politics, its negative
connotations only increased, continuing into the Hellenistic period.
• Plato and Aristotle define a tyrant as "one who rules without law, and uses
extreme and cruel tactics—against his own people as well as others".[4]
…”
28

29. Romans 13:6-7, Render All
• NAU Romans 13:6 For because of this you also pay
taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting
themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what
is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to
whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom
honor.

30. Romans 13:6
Subjection To Government
• NAU Romans 13:6 For because of this you also
pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God,
devoting themselves to this very thing.
• NAU Matthew 22:21 They said to Him,
"Caesar's." Then He said to them, "Then
render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's;
and to God the things that are God's."

31. Romans 13:6
Taxes?
• Luke 20:22 "Is it
lawful for us to pay
taxes to Caesar, or
not?“
• Romans 13:6 For
because of this you
also pay taxes, for
rulers are servants of
God, devoting
themselves to this
very thing.

32. Romans
13:6,
Taxes

33. We saw a child dishonoring his
mother in the restaurant today.
• NAU Romans 13:7
Render to all what is
due them:…fear to
whom fear; honor to
whom honor.
33

34. Romans 13:8-10, Love
• NAU Romans 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love
one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled
the law. 9 For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,
YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU
SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other
commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU
SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." 10 Love
does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the
fulfillment of the law.

35. Romans 13:8
• Romans 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone …
• This is a double negative;
• BYZ Romans 13:8 Μηδενὶ with another
negative no…at all μηδὲν nothing ὀφείλετε
owe…
• What about a mortgage, a business loan, or
student loans?

36. Romans 13:8, Love One Another
• 1 Peter 1:22 Since you have in obedience to the
truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the
brethren, fervently love one another from the
heart,
• Ed Young has said, “Horizontal relationships-
relationships between people- are crippled at
the outset unless the vertical relationship- the
relationship between each person and God- is in
place.”
• 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for
love is from God; and everyone who loves is
born of God and knows God.

37. Romans 13:8, Love One Another
• John 13:34
"A new
commandment I
give to you, that
you love one
another, even as
I have loved you,
that you also
love one
another.

38. Romans 13:9-10
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
• NAU Romans 13:9 For this, "YOU SHALL NOT
COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT
MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL
NOT COVET," and if there is any other
commandment, it is summed up in this saying,
"YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS
YOURSELF.” 10 Love does no wrong to a
neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of
the law.

39. Romans 13:10, Love Your Neighbor,
But Not Like The Wicked Bible

40. Romans 13:11-14
NAU Romans 13:11 And this do, knowing the
time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken
from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than
when we believed. 12 The night is almost gone,
and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside
the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of
light 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. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
make no provision for the flesh in regard to its 40

41. Romans 13:11, Asleep, Sleep
Romans 13:11 Do
this, knowing the
time, that it is already
the hour for you to
awaken from sleep;
for now salvation [from
the presence of sin, glorification]
is nearer to us than
when we believed.

42. So, in conclusion, 10 points;
• 1. I'm not saying let's go kill all the stupid people.
I'm just saying let's remove all the warning labels
and let the problem work itself out.
• 2. I changed my car horn to gunshot sounds.
People move out of the way much faster now.
• 3. You can tell a lot about a woman's mood just
by her hands. If they are holding a gun, she's
probably upset.
• The rest next time…
42

43. THE END
43

44. 44

45. Psalm 6:6, HOW TEARS POINT TO A
DESIGNER, creationmoments.com
• “Many men today believe that the shedding of tears is a sign of weakness. They seem
to have forgotten that Jesus wept when told that Lazarus had died. Jeremiah is known
as the "weeping prophet" who shed tears over a backslidden nation. Even David, the
slayer of tens of thousands, wrote that he often drenched his bed with tears. Our
Designer not only gave us glands to produce tears, He also gave us an ingenious way
to dispose of excess tears. Here is how William Paley described this design feature in
his nineteenth-century classic Natural Theology: "To keep the eye moist and clean …
a wash is constantly supplied by a secretion for the purpose; and the superfluous
brine is conveyed to the nose through a perforation in the bone as large as a goose
quill. When the fluid has entered the nose, it spreads itself upon the inside of the
nostril and is evaporated by the current of warm air which in the course of respiration
is continually passing over it.” Listen closely to Paley's next words: "It's easily
perceived that the eye must want moisture; but could the 'want' of the eye generate
the gland which produces the tear, or bore the hole by which it's discharged – a hole
through bone?” The answer, of course, is no, not in a billion years! As any rational
person can plainly see, these features were designed by our Creator.
• Notes: William Paley, Natural Theology, p. 33. (The Works of William Paley, D.D., Ward Lock & Co., London.) Visual: Woodcut of William Paley (1743-1805).
4
5
• Woodcut of William Paley (1743-1805)

46. 2 Chronicles 26:14, Uzziah
• NAU 2 Chronicles 26:14 Moreover, Uzziah prepared for all the army shields, spears, helmets,
body armor, bows and sling stones.15 In Jerusalem he made engines of war invented by
skillful men to be on the towers and on the corners for the purpose of shooting arrows and
great stones. Hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong.
16 But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was
unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the
altar of incense. 17 Then Azariah the priest entered after him and with him eighty priests of
the LORD, valiant men. 18 They opposed Uzziah the king and said to him, "It is not for you,
Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who are
consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and will
have no honor from the LORD God.” 19 But Uzziah, with a censer in his hand for burning
incense, was enraged; and while he was enraged with the priests, the leprosy broke out on his
forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the altar of incense. 20 Azariah
the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous on his forehead;
and they hurried him out of there, and he himself also hastened to get out because the LORD
had smitten him. 21 King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death; and he lived in a separate
house, being a leper, for he was cut off from the house of the LORD. And Jotham his son was
over the king's house judging the people of the land.
46

47. • What authority does Jesus have?, By Gary Meredith
• Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20
• The above Scripture passage, famously called the "Great Commission," is the only place in the Bible fully stating that all authority in all physical and spiritual reality belongs to Jesus. However, many other
passages elaborate on Christ's total authority, or reveal specific parts of it.
• Legitimate authority in the Bible is always given by one (higher) person to another. The ultimate source of all authority is God. Because God didn't get his authority from anyone else, no one can demand
that He explain what right He has to do anything (Isaiah 45:9; 64:8; Romans 9:20-21). Therefore, anyone who can prove that their authority for what they do comes from God must be obeyed. So it was
and is with Jesus.
• During his earthly ministry Jesus gave hints of that mystery little by little, gradually revealing the mind-boggling truth of his authority in ways no witness could rationally deny. He began with his teaching,
presenting lessons that were new and original (though solidly grounded in the Old Testament). This surprised the people who were used to Bible teachers who cited other human teachers for their
authority (Matthew 8:28-29; Mark 1:27).
• Jesus next revealed his authority over demons, and over disease (Mark 1:27-34), which He had the authority to give his disciples (Luke 9:1-2; 10:17). He greatly upset religious experts by his authority to
forgive sins, which God alone has (Mark 2:5-12). Then he astonished his disciples with his authority over nature when he ordered a storm to be quiet (Mark 4:39-41).
• Things really came to a head with the religious experts and leaders in Jesus' final days on earth when, for the second time, He asserted his authority over the Temple in Jerusalem, driving out the
merchants and money changers (Mark 11:15-17, 27-28). Jesus had done the same thing at the start of his ministry when, most startling of all, He claimed as future proof for all his other claims the
authority to give up his life and take it back again — to die and rise from the dead (John 2:18-19; 10:17-18).
• But the religious leaders refused to acknowledge Jesus' authority or its Source many times, even to the point of blasphemy (Matthew 12:24-32), though God made it clear and undeniable to them (John
9:40-41). They did the same after his resurrection (Acts 4:5-7, 16). Their unbelief was in stark contrast to the Gentile Roman centurion who, in simple faith, grasped the truth about Jesus' authority and
believed it (Matthew 8:5-13). That is why Jesus so highly praised the man, telling his followers, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith" (Matthew 8:10).
• When Christians today say we are acting "in the name of Jesus," it is the same as claiming that we are acting under the authority of Jesus Christ — an awesome responsibility never to be taken lightly or
flippantly (Exodus 20:7; Acts 19:13-16). All our authority to serve God comes from Jesus Himself (Matthew 28:18-20), because He is the only authority in all heaven and earth to bring people to salvation
by faith (John 12:32; 14:6; Acts 4:12), to raise them to eternal life (John 6:39-44, 54), and to judge their entire lives (2 Corinthians 5:10).
• Jesus has "all authority," including over heaven and earth, good and evil, human and demonic authorities.tweet
• One last point: "All authority on heaven and earth" includes good and evil, human and demonic authorities. The authority of evil human rulers comes from God Who gives it and can take it away (Daniel
4:24-26). That includes the authority God gave Pontius Pilate to crucify Jesus (John 19:11), and of all worldly authorities who have governing power over us and all people (Romans 13:1-7). This is also true
of the authority God gave Satan to harm Job but not kill him (Job 1:12; 2:6) and to possess all nations in the world until Christ comes again (Luke 4:5-7; James 4:4), authority which Satan delegates to a
variety of rulers, authorities and powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). At the end of time God will judge every ruler according to how they used
the authority He gave them (Revelation 6:15-17). In the end all authorities, good or evil, earthly or heavenly, will acknowledge the ultimate, total authority of Jesus over them (Philippians 2:9-11;
Revelation 5:11-14; 17:14), as Jesus in turn "hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power" (1 Corinthians 15:24).
• So, too, God will judge each of us for how we used whatever authority He gave us, whether little or much (Luke 12:48; Matthew 25:14-28), as, for example, parents, teachers, coaches, mentors or bosses.
And so our aim in life should be to use the authority God gives us in such a way that at the end we will hear Him say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:21).
47

48. Romans 13:4, Pacifists, Pacifism
48

49. Romans 13:1–7, ”When is civil
disobedience allowed for a Christian?”
GotQuestions.org
• Question: "When is civil disobedience allowed for a Christian?"
• Answer: The emperor of Rome from AD 54 to 68 was Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, also known simply as
Nero. The emperor was not known for being a godly person and engaged in a variety of illicit acts, homosexual marriage
being among them. In AD 64 the great Roman fire occurred, with Nero himself being suspected of arson. In his writings,
the Roman senator and historian Tacitus recorded, “To get rid of the report [that he had started the fire], Nero fastened
the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the
populace” (Annals, XV).
• It was during the reign of Nero that the apostle Paul wrote his epistle to the Romans. While one might expect him to
encourage the Christians in Rome to rise up against their oppressive ruler, in the chapter 13, we find this instead:
• “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those
which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they
who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but
for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a
minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a
minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in
subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are
servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom
to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:1–7).
• Even under the reign of a ruthless and godless emperor, Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, tells his
readers to be in subjection to the government. Moreover, he states that no authority exists other than that established
by God, and that rulers are serving God in their political office.
49

50. Romans 13:1-7 Illegal immigration
• Question: "What does the Bible say about illegal immigration?"
Answer: Note: We wholeheartedly believe that Christians are called to be compassionate and merciful towards immigrants (Exodus 25:35; Leviticus 10:33-34; Matthew 25:35). We also
believe that the United States should have a more compassionate and merciful immigration policy. However, that is not the question at hand. The question at hand is whether it is wrong to
violate a nation's borders and transgress its immigration laws.
Romans 13:1-7 makes it abundantly clear that God expects us to obey the laws of the government. The only exception to this is when a law of the government forces you to disobey a
command of God (Acts 5:29). Illegal immigration is the breaking of a governmental law. There is nothing in Scripture that contradicts a nation having immigration laws. Therefore, it is a sin,
rebellion against God, to illegally enter another country.
Illegal immigration is definitely a controversial issue in the United States (and some other countries) today. Some argue that the immigration laws are unfair, unjust, and even discriminatory
– giving individuals justification to immigrate illegally. However, Romans 13:1-7 does not give any permission to violate a law just because it is unjust. Again, the issue is not the fairness of a
law. The only biblical reason to violate a governmental law is if that law violates God's Word. When Paul wrote the book of Romans, he was under the authority of the Roman Empire, led by
perhaps the most evil of all the Roman emperors, Nero. Under that reign, there were many laws that were unfair, unjust, and/or blatantly evil. Still, Paul instructed Christians to submit to
the government.
Are the immigration laws of the United States unfair or unjust? Some think so, but that is not the issue. All developed countries in the world have immigration laws, some more strict than
the USA and some less strict than the USA. There is nothing in the Bible to prohibit a country from having completely open borders or to have completely closed borders. Romans 13:1-7
also gives the government the authority to punish lawbreakers. Whether the punishment is imprisonment and/or deportation, or even something more severe, it is within the rights of the
government to determine.
The vast majority of illegal immigrants in the United States have come for the purpose of having a better life, providing for their families, and escaping from poverty. These are good goals
and motivations. However, it is not biblical to violate a law to achieve something "good." Caring for the poor, orphans, and widows is something the Bible commands us to do
(Galatians 2:10; James 1:27; 2:2-15). However, the biblical fact that we are to care for the unfortunate does not mean we should violate the law in doing so. Supporting, enabling, and/or
encouraging illegal immigration is, therefore, also a violation of God's Word. Those seeking to emigrate to another country should always obey the immigration laws of that country. While
this may cause delays and frustrations, these reasons do not give a person the right to violate a law.
What is the biblical solution to illegal immigration? Simple – don't do it; obey the laws. If disobedience is not a biblical option, what can be done in regards to an unjust immigration law? It
is completely within the rights of citizens to seek to change immigration laws. If it is your conviction that an immigration law is unjust, do everything that is legally within your power to get
the law changed: pray, petition, vote, peacefully protest, etc. As Christians, we should be the first to seek to change any law that is unjust. At the same time, we are also to demonstrate our
submission to God by obeying the government He has placed in authority over us.
"Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do
good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but
living as servants of God" (1 Peter 2:13–16).
Recommended Resources: Hard Sayings of the Bible by Kaiser, Davids, & Brauch and Logos Bible Software.

51. Romans 13:1
Question: "How should a Christian view gun
control?"
• “Answer: The recent shootings across the United States have caused much heartache. The senseless and tragic incidents
have also renewed the intensity of discussion regarding American gun laws. Politicians, sportsmen, and theologians have
all weighed in on the issue of gun control. Guns are readily available in the U.S., and ownership is protected by the
Constitution. How should a Christian view gun control? What does the Bible have to say that would apply to gun control?
• The Bible was written long before the invention of any type of gun, so the phrase “gun control” will not be found in
Scripture. However, the Bible records many accounts of wars, battles, and the use of weapons. Warfare is presented as
an inevitable part of living in a fallen world (Mark 13:7; James 4:1), and weaponry is a necessary part of warfare.
Weapons in the Bible were also used for personal protection. In some parts of Israel, robbers were common (see Luke
10:30), and many people carried weapons when they traveled. Carrying a weapon for self-defense is never condemned
in the Bible. In fact, it was mentioned in a positive light by Jesus Himself on one occasion (Luke 22:35-38).
• Christians are called to submit to governing authorities, and they are to obey the laws of the land (Romans 13:1-7; 1
Peter 2:13-17). This would have to apply to gun laws, too. If American gun laws change, American Christians should
submit to these changes and work through democratic means toward any desired alternatives. The Bible does not forbid
the possession of weapons, and neither does it command such possession. Laws may come and go, but the goal of the
believer in Jesus Christ remains the same: to glorify the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31).
• Another biblical principle to consider is that “all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). Jesus said
this to Peter when Peter tried to mount an imprudent “defense” of Jesus against the mob that had come to arrest Him.
Peter’s actions were not only futile against such a “large crowd armed with swords and clubs” (verse 47), but his rash
behavior also belied Jesus’ submissive attitude (verse 50) and worked against the fulfillment of Scripture (verse 54).
There is “a time for war and a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:8), and Peter confused the two.
• Christianity supports personal freedom. Romans 14:1-4 indicates that, when Scripture does not clearly address a
particular issue, there is freedom for individual choice. America has historically embraced the concept of personal
freedom that resonates with this principle, and the founding documents guarantee wide freedoms regarding firearms.
Some point to Matthew 5:9, in which Jesus pronounces a blessing on the peacemakers, and apply it to the issue of gun
control. The idea is that guns are antithetical to peace. This may be more of a philosophical or political idea than a
theological one, however. There is nothing theologically, or even logically, that links guns to a lack of peace; sometimes,
51

52. Romans 13:1, Civil Disobedience
• Question: "Do Christians have to obey the laws of the land?"
Answer: Romans 13:1-7 states, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has
established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God
has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 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 he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if
you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you
pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if
revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
This passage makes it abundantly clear that we are to obey the government God places over us. God created government to establish order, punish
evil, and promote justice (Genesis 9:6; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Romans 12:8). We are to obey the government in everything—paying taxes, obeying rules
and laws, and showing respect. If we do not, we are ultimately showing disrespect towards God, for He is the One who placed that government over
us. When the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, he was under the government of Rome during the reign of Nero, perhaps the most evil of all the
Roman emperors. Paul still recognized the Roman government’s rule over him. How can we do any less?
The next question is “Is there a time when we should intentionally disobey the laws of the land?” The answer to that question may be found in Acts
5:27-29, “Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 'We gave you strict orders
not to teach in this Name,' he said. 'Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood.' Peter
and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men!'“ From this, it is clear that as long as the law of the land does not contradict the
law of God, we are bound to obey the law of the land. As soon as the law of the land contradicts God's command, we are to disobey the law of the land
and obey God's law. However, even in that instance, we are to accept the government’s authority over us. This is demonstrated by the fact that Peter
and John did not protest being flogged, but instead rejoiced that they suffered for obeying God (Acts 5:40-42).
Recommended Resource: Hard Sayings of the Bible by Kaiser, Davids, & Brauch.
• http://www.gotquestions.org/

53. Romans 13:1, www.compass.org.
• Dear Compass,
• Regarding the GML about paying taxes to the corrupt United States government, how could you make so light of the question? You say we are to
submit to the authority and I say it needs to be questioned or we frogs will soon be boiled! There are serious problems at hand and you make no
mention of it.
• Another wrote: ". . . this is a head-in-the-sand / comfort-zone approach . . ."
• Still another wrote, "This country was founded on great Christian principles, I wish it were the same today . . ."
•
ANSWER:
• Jesus said we are to pay taxes the government imposes. He didn't say not to pay taxes if it were corrupt. In fact, the particular tax Jesus paid from the
coin in the fish's mouth was an illegal tax He didn't owe but paid it anyway.
• He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth
collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” And upon his saying, "From strangers," Jesus said to him, "Consequently the sons are
exempt. But, lest we give them offense, go to the sea, and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will
find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me. —Matthew 17:25-27The government in Jesus' time, the Roman Empire, was one of the
WORST governments of all time. In its worst day, the United States doesn't hold a candle to the Roman Empire. Yet He said to pay taxes to them.They
said to Him, "Caesar's." Then He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's." —
Matthew 22:21Obviously, if the government asks us to personally violate Scripture, that's another story.Then they approached and spoke before the
king about the king's injunction, "Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty
days, is to be cast into the lions' den?"The king replied, "The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be
revoked." Then they answered and spoke before the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the
injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day." Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed
and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. Then these men came by agreement to the king and
said to the king, "Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed."
• Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions' den The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Your God whom you constantly
serve will Himself deliver you."
• —Daniel 6:12-16We didn't comment on whether or not the government could be improved. It could be and should be. By the grace of God, we in the
United States CAN change our laws and leaders. But this incredible opportunity has not been exercised to the degree possible as less than 50 percent
of evangelical Christians voted in the last presidential election. For whatever His reasons, God gave the citizens of the U.S. exactly who He wanted to
be President:Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are
established by God. —Romans 13:1There have also been several emails over the past few months that indicate a longing for the "good ol' days." But
God says:Do not say, "Why is it that the former days were better than these?" —Ecclesiastes 7:10God isn't as concerned about your circumstances as
He is your response to your circumstances.
• www.compass.org.

54. Romans 13:3,
Question: "What is common grace?"
• Question: "What is common grace?"
Answer:The doctrine of common grace pertains to the sovereign grace of God bestowed upon all of mankind regardless of theirelection. In other words, God has always bestowed His
graciousness on all people in all parts of the earth at all time. Although the doctrine of common grace has always been clear in Scripture, in 1924, the Christian Reformed Church (CRC)
adopted the doctrine of common grace at the Synod of Kalamazoo (Michigan) and formulated what is known as the “three points of common grace.”
The first point pertains to the favorable attitude of God toward all His creatures, not only toward the elect. “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made” (Psalm 145:9). Jesus
said God causes “his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45) and God “is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:35).
Barnabas and Paul would later say the same thing: “He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts
with joy” (Acts 14:17). In addition to His compassion, goodness, and kindness, God also sheds His patience upon both the elect and the non-elect. While God’s patience for His own is
undoubtedly different from His patience with those whom He has not chosen, God still exercises “longsuffering” toward those whom He has not chosen (Nahum 1:3). Every breath that the
wicked man takes is an example of the mercy of our holy God.
The second point of common grace is the restraint of sin in the life of the individual and in society. Scripture records God directly intervening and restraining individuals from sinning.
InGenesis 20, God restrained Abimelech from touching Sarah, Abraham’s wife, and affirmed it to him in a dream by saying, “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept
you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her” (Genesis 20:6). Another example of God restraining the wicked hearts of evil men is seen in God’s protection of the land
of Israel from being invaded by the pagan nations on their border. God commanded the men of Israel that three times a year they would leave their plot of land to go and appear before Him
(Exodus 34:23). To ensure the protection of God’s people from invasion during these times, even though the pagan nations surrounding them desired their land year-round, God promised
that “no one will covet your land when you go up three times each year to appear before the Lord your God” (Exodus 34:24). God also restrained David from taking revenge on Nabal for
scorning the messengers that David sent to greet Nabal (1 Samuel 25:14). Abigail, Nabal’s wife, recognized God’s grace when she pleaded with David not to seek vengeance against her
husband, “since the Lord has kept you, my master, from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands…” (1 Samuel 25:26). David acknowledged this truth by responding, “As
surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you…” (1 Samuel 25:34).
This second point of common grace not only includes God’s restraining of evil, but also His sovereignly releasing it for His purposes. When God hardens the hearts of individuals (Exodus
4:21;Joshua 11:20;Isaiah 63:17), He does so by releasing His restraint on their hearts, thereby giving them over to the sin that resides there. In His punishment of Israel for their rebellion, God
gave “them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices” (Psalm 81:11-12). The passage of Scripture best known for speaking of God’s releasing of restraint is found inRomans
1where Paul describes those who suppress the truth by their wickedness. God “gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one
another” (Romans 1:28).
The third point of common grace as adopted by the CRC pertains to “civic righteousness by the unregenerate.” This means that God, without renewing the heart, exercises such influence that
even the unsaved man is enabled to perform good deeds toward his fellow man. As Paul said of a group of unregenerate Gentiles, they “do by nature things required by the law, they are a law
for themselves, even though they do not have the law” (Romans 2:14). The necessity of God restraining the hearts of the unredeemed becomes clear when we understand the biblical
doctrine oftotal depravity. If God did not restrain the evil that resides in the hearts of all men, hearts which are “deceitful and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9), humanity would have
destroyed itself centuries ago. But because He works through common grace given to all men, God’s sovereign plan for history is not thwarted by their evil hearts. In the doctrine of common
grace, we see God’s purposes stand, His people blessed, and His glory magnified.
Recommended Resources:Chosen But Free, revised edition: A Balanced View of God's Sovereignty and Free Will by Norm GeislerandThe Potter's Freedom by James WhiteandLogos Bible
Software.
Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/common-grace.html#ixzz38nmAZnwl
• http://www.gotquestions.org/common-grace.html

55. Romans 13:4, Gun Control, Self Defense
http://www.gotquestions.org/
• Question: "How should a Christian view gun control?"
Answer: The recent shootings across the United States have caused much heartache. The senseless and tragic incidents have also renewed the intensity of discussion regarding American gun laws.
Politicians, sportsmen, and theologians have all weighed in on the issue of gun control. Guns are readily available in the U.S., and ownership is protected by the Constitution. How should a Christian
view gun control? What does the Bible have to say that would apply to gun control?
The Bible was written long before the invention of any type of gun, so the phrase “gun control” will not be found in Scripture. However, the Bible records many accounts of wars, battles, and the use
of weapons. Warfare is presented as an inevitable part of living in a fallen world (Mark 13:7; James 4:1), and weaponry is a necessary part of warfare. Weapons in the Bible were also used for
personal protection. In some parts of Israel, robbers were common (see Luke 10:30), and many people carried weapons when they traveled. Carrying a weapon for self-defense is never condemned in
the Bible. In fact, it was mentioned in a positive light by Jesus Himself on one occasion (Luke 22:35-38).
Christians are called to submit to governing authorities, and they are to obey the laws of the land (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). This would have to apply to gun laws, too. If American gun laws
change, American Christians should submit to these changes and work through democratic means toward any desired alternatives. The Bible does not forbid the possession of weapons, and neither
does it command such possession. Laws may come and go, but the goal of the believer in Jesus Christ remains the same: to glorify the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Another biblical principle to consider is that “all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). Jesus said this to Peter when Peter tried to mount an imprudent “defense” of Jesus
against the mob that had come to arrest Him. Peter’s actions were not only futile against such a “large crowd armed with swords and clubs” (verse 47), but his rash behavior also belied Jesus’
submissive attitude (verse 50) and worked against the fulfillment of Scripture (verse 54). There is “a time for war and a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:8), and Peter confused the two.
Christianity supports personal freedom. Romans 14:1-4 indicates that, when Scripture does not clearly address a particular issue, there is freedom for individual choice. America has historically
embraced the concept of personal freedom that resonates with this principle, and the founding documents guarantee wide freedoms regarding firearms. Some point to Matthew 5:9, in which Jesus
pronounces a blessing on the peacemakers, and apply it to the issue of gun control. The idea is that guns are antithetical to peace. This may be more of a philosophical or political idea than a
theological one, however. There is nothing theologically, or even logically, that links guns to a lack of peace; sometimes, guns help maintaincivil peace.
Debates over whether to control guns or how much to control them depend largely on political and philosophical arguments, not moral ones. This is not to say that there is no moral component to
the issue. Obviously, the gun itself is amoral, an object that can be used for good or for evil. More important is the morality of the person wielding the gun, and that is too often the missing
consideration in the gun control argument. The fact that some sinners use guns to commit sin does not mean guns are the problem. Sin is the problem, and that’s a moral and spiritual issue. Since the
very beginning of humanity, people have been killing other people, with and without weapons (see Genesis 4). Taking a certain weapon out of circulation might make murder more difficult but by no
means impossible.
As far as the Bible is concerned, the use of guns is a matter of personal conviction. There is nothing unspiritual about owning a gun or knowing how to use one. There is nothing wrong with protecting
oneself or loved ones, even if it involves the use of weapons. We need not pretend there is never a need for guns, but pointing a gun at a person should always be a last resort. We should seek to
neutralize threats without violence whenever possible.
So, how should a Christian view gun control? With the authority God has entrusted to it, the government has the right to allow or disallow gun ownership to whatever degree it deems right. We, as
citizens, are called to submit to whatever gun control laws the government institutes. This is not, however, a statement on the wisdom of gun control. There are good reasons to allow law-abiding
citizens to own guns. Ultimately, guns are not the problem. Sinful people are the problem.
Recommended Resource: Politics - According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture by Wayne Grudem.
•
•
• http://www.gotquestions.org/
• Got Questions Ministries | 6050 Stetson Hills Blvd., #254 | Colorado Springs, CO 80923
• Question: "How should a Christian view gun control?"

56. Romans 13:8, Fulfill The Law
• BGT Galatians 6:2 Ἀλλήλων τὰ βάρη βαστάζετε καὶ οὕτως ἀναπληρώσετε
τὸν νόμον τοῦ Χριστοῦ.
•
• Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of
Christ.
•
• ἀναπληρώσετε verb indicative future active 2nd person plural from
ἀναπληρόω [GING] ἀναπληρόω
ἀναπληρόω make complete, fill up the
•
• οὕτως adverb from οὕτω [GING] οὕτω
οὕτω and οὕτως adv. in this manner, thus,
•
• βαστάζετε verb imperative present active 2nd person plural from βαστάζω
[GING] βαστάζω
βαστάζω—1. pick up J 10:31.—2. carry, bear

57. Romans 13:8
• BYZ Romans 13:8 Μηδενὶ with another negative
no…at all μηδὲν nothing ὀφείλετε owe, εἰ if
μὴnot τὸ ἀγαπᾷν infinitive, to love ἀλλήλους·
ὁ γὰρ ἀγαπῶν τὸν ἕτερον, νόμον πεπλήρωκεν.
•
• Romans 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to
love one another; for he who loves his
neighbor has fulfilled the law.

58. Romans 13:8, My Neighbor?
• Video clip of, “A Muslim Confronts Ravi Zacharias In Regards To
Christianity”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl9ds3W7HQ0
• Luke 10:29 But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who
is my neighbor?"
• Romans 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another;
for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
• 1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his
neighbor.
• Galatians 5:14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the
statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.“
• James 2:8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to
the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,"
you are doing well.

59. Romans 13:9,
• TODAY'S CREATION MOMENT
• THE LIGHTER SIDE OF THE BIBLE
• inHistory
• Listen
• Matthew 23:24
• “Ye blind guides, which strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
• Some Christians give others the idea that Christianity is a dull and joyless faith, and that God is stern and humorless. But God is the One Who created
humor.
• For example, did you ever hear of the Bug Bible? Published in 1551, the Bug Bible got the name when, for some unexplainable reason, “Thou shalt not
be afraid for the terror by night” from Psalm 91:5 was printed as, “Thou shalt not be afraid of any buggies by night.” Human error was also presumably
responsible for The Wicked Bible, published in 1717. The Wicked Bible got its name because the word “not” was left out of one of the Commandments,
leaving the Commandment to read, “Thou shalt commit adultery.”
• One of the most amusing word plays was by Jesus Himself and is found in Matthew 23:24. Here Jesus warns hypocrites about straining at gnats and
swallowing camels. In Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, the word for gnat is nearly identical to the word for camel. The verbal humor, which is an
excellent way of teaching, produced a simple slogan that was easy for the common man to remember: “Blind guides, who strain out a galma, and
swallow a gamla!”
• Despite occasional human printing errors, we can be sure that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. And despite God’s sincere earnestness in calling
us to Himself, we can also be sure that He created humor.
• Prayer:
• Dear Father in heaven, through Your Word of promise fill me with true joy and a lightness of heart so that others may see that being Yours is a joyful,
wonderful thing to be desired. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
• Notes:
• Dr. Crypton. “Mathematics in the Bible.” Science Digest, May 1985, p. 78. Photo: Close-up of the error in The Wicked Bible.

60. Romans 13:14
Good advice from the Bible, from Maurice Turner, Christian Walk, Why Go To Church
Beware of false prophets because they will lead you astray. (Matthew 7:15)
Be sure you are wearing a wedding garment. (Know you are saved and clothed in the righteousness of Jesus.) (Matthew 22:11-12)
Know Bible prophecy so you can watch the signs. (Mark 14:37).
Study the Bible, pray and fellowship with true believers so you can strengthen your faith and grow stronger not weaker. (Luke 18:8)
Don’t be overcome by the cares of this world and be caught unawares. (Luke 21:34)
Watch and pray that you will be accounted worthy to escape all the things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36)
Cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Don’t live like the lost. Be ready to battle Satan.) (Romans 13:12)
Walk honestly not in rioting, drunkenness, chambering, wantonness, strife and envying. (Romans 13:13)
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts. (Accept the authority of Jesus.) (Romans 13:14)
Edify one another. (Strengthen and be strengthened by other believers.) (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Pray without ceasing (stay in touch with God). (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Abstain from every appearance of evil. (Avoid anything that hints of sin.) (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
Be a Christian example for others (what you say, do, etc…) (1 Timothy 4:12)
Study the Bible and pay attention to sound preaching and doctrine (1 Timothy 4:13).
Meet with other believers and exhort each other. (Believers should meet to support and encourage each other.) (Hebrews 10:25)
Rejoice, though, if need be, ye be in manifold temptations. (Rejoice even if God thinks a little chastisement is necessary.) (1 Peter 1:6)
Be sober (level-headed), watch and pray. (1 Peter 4:7)
Above all things have fervent charity (love) among you. (I Peter 4:8).
Use hospitality one to another without grudging. (Help other believers and don’t grumble about it.) (1 Peter 4:9)
Glorify God through Jesus in all things (1 Peter 4:11).
Guard against Satan’s temptations to sin (1 Peter 5:8).
Serve the Lord and don’t draw back. (Persevere, don’t give up.) (Revelation 2:3)
Be an overcomer. (Believer in Jesus.) (1 John. 5:4; Revelation. 2:7, 11)
Hold on to the name of Jesus and do not deny the faith (Revelation 2:13).
Be faithful to the end (Revelation 2:26).
Strengthen the areas where you are weak. (Examine yourself and overcome
your weaknesses.) (Revelation 3:2)
Live by the words of Jesus. (Every knee will bow.) (Revelation 3:10) 60

61. Romans 13:1,2,3, All Authority, What authority
does Jesus have?, By Gary Meredith
• What authority does Jesus have?, By Gary Meredith
• Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them
to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew
28:18-20
• The above Scripture passage, famously called the "Great Commission," is the only place in the Bible fully stating that all
authority in all physical and spiritual reality belongs to Jesus. However, many other passages elaborate on Christ's total
authority, or reveal specific parts of it.
• Legitimate authority in the Bible is always given by one (higher) person to another. The ultimate source of all authority is
God. Because God didn't get his authority from anyone else, no one can demand that He explain what right He has to do
anything (Isaiah 45:9; 64:8; Romans 9:20-21). Therefore, anyone who can prove that their authority for what they do
comes from God must be obeyed. So it was and is with Jesus.
• During his earthly ministry Jesus gave hints of that mystery little by little, gradually revealing the mind-boggling truth of
his authority in ways no witness could rationally deny. He began with his teaching, presenting lessons that were new and
original (though solidly grounded in the Old Testament). This surprised the people who were used to Bible teachers who
cited other human teachers for their authority (Matthew 8:28-29; Mark 1:27).
• Jesus next revealed his authority over demons, and over disease (Mark 1:27-34), which He had the authority to give his
disciples (Luke 9:1-2; 10:17). He greatly upset religious experts by his authority to forgive sins, which God alone has
(Mark 2:5-12). Then he astonished his disciples with his authority over nature when he ordered a storm to be quiet
(Mark 4:39-41).
• Things really came to a head with the religious experts and leaders in Jesus' final days on earth when, for the second
time, He asserted his authority over the Temple in Jerusalem, driving out the merchants and money changers (Mark
11:15-17, 27-28). Jesus had done the same thing at the start of his ministry when, most startling of all, He claimed as
future proof for all his other claims the authority to give up his life and take it back again — to die and rise from the dead
(John 2:18-19; 10:17-18).
61

62. Romans 13:4, How to walk and when
to stand, by Craig L. Parshall
62

63. Romans 13:1-5
• The Bright Line Between Submission & Resistance To The Authority Of Government ... What's A Christian To Do?
• Few could argue with a straight face that Christianity is not presently under attack in These United States. For the first
time in our history, many have recently been confronted with the personal choice between following God or man, with
costly consequences. We see our religious Liberty ... our freedom to practice our Christian beliefs, the ability to run our
businesses based on those biblical principles, our freedom to express our Christian principles openly in the public square
... attacked on a near daily basis somewhere across the Fruited Plain.
• So where do we draw the line? Where is it okay for the Christian to resist government authority? Is it EVER permissible
to resist government authority? After all, ALL authority is from God, so shouldn't we sit down & shut up, submit to the
authority no matter what, & even go "underground" with our Christianity if necessary?
• As is common throughout Christendom, & every other "religion" for that matter, people too often take passages from
the Good Book out of the contexts of history & culture & language & the whole counsel of God, making the text say
things it does not. Romans 13 is a classic example of that.
• Throughout Christian history, Paul's 13th chapter of his epistle to the church at Rome has been used to whip those in the
pews into blind submission to government authority. Lutheran pastors hid behind Romans 13 as Hitler & the Nazis
engaged in mass atrocities & genocide. Many during our own War for Independence from British tyranny waived
Romans 13 as a banner against the Patriot cause. "Submission to government authority at all costs is biblical ..." Or is it ...
• consider this carefully. Did Elijah disobey God's principle of submission to government authority when he resisted Ahab
& Jezebel? How about David when he refused to surrender to Saul's troops? What about Daniel when he refused to stop
praying? Or his 3 chums who refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's Royal idol? Did John the Baptist violate God's principle
of submission to authority when he called out Herod for infidelity? Or the apostles when they were told by the state to
stop proclaiming the Godpel? Paul spent more time IN jail than OUT!
• More closer to home, a husband/father has authority over his household, but does he have a right to abuse his wife or
children? An employer has authority over their workplace, but does he have the right to control employees' private
lives? We could go on & on with examples of how God-ordained authority is limited. No one has unlimited authority,
period. And it would be ludicrous (& unbiblical) to suggest a battered wife remain silent & in total cowed submission to a
63

64. Romans 13:9
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
• Ravi Zacharias makes a very important, valid
point concerning, “The Problem Of Evil” in;
• Let My People Think: Ravi Zacharias at Yale -
Part 2
• At 3 minutes 40 seconds in,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcZMO7v
W0bE