What happensPermalink
Paul urges believers to live responsibly in society, submitting to governing authorities because all authority comes from God. Even under pagan rule, Christians must pay taxes, show respect, and do what is right—unless doing so would contradict obedience to God. They should “owe no one anything, except to love,” since love fulfills the law. Paul reminds them that the day is near: it is time to cast off the works of darkness and live in the light, walking in holiness and putting on Christ.
Why it mattersPermalink
Romans 13 connects the Ten Commandments and Jesus’ teaching on love with Paul’s earlier call in 12:1–2 to live as transformed people. To present our bodies as living sacrifices means living in the day, not the night—clothed in Christ, not the flesh. The urgency grows: salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Christians live as citizens of heaven, honoring others and loving their neighbors on earth.
Key versePermalink
Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.