Join us as we continue studying the history of the early church in the Book of Romans and follow up on the 21 Days to Knowing Jesus Christ Bible Study. I hope that you enjoy this study and that it will be helpful to you in building a daily Bible study habit. Click the appropriate links below to access the content for the day. You can select what version of the Bible you prefer at the top of the page in the link below (King James Version is the default):
Read Paul’s Letter to the Romans, Chapter 13 here
There are two links below to the Matthew Henry Commentary on Romans Chapter 13. There is a Concise version and a Complete version. The Concise version is a short, abbreviated version while the Complete version is typically a lot longer and can sometimes be longer than the Biblical text itself. Choose whichever one you have time for. The Complete version goes further in depth but the Concise version is illuminating while not as lengthy.
Read the Matthew Henry Commentary on Romans Chapter 13 (Concise) here
Read the Matthew Henry Commentary of Romans Chapter 13 (Complete) here
Listen to a personal reading of Romans Chapter 13 here
Observations from the text:
- In this chapter, Paul begins by encouraging the believers to make themselves subject to the appropriate governing authorities. His reason for this is that there is no ultimate authority except from God. He tells them that the authorities that exist are appointed by God and therefore those who resist those authorities are, in fact, resisting the ordinances of God Himself. He tells the believer that if he or she wishes to be unafraid of authority, they should do what is good, and they will have praise from them. However, if they do that which is evil, they will be subject to the punishment that accompanies evil behavior. He also instructs the believers to likewise render taxes to those to whom they are due for the same reasons. He tells them “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, and honor to whom honor.”
- In Verses 8-10, Paul tells the believers “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” He goes on to explain that a number of the Ten Commandments are summarized by the commandment of Jesus “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” He summarizes that love does no harm to a neighbor, therefore to love your neighbor is to fulfill the law.
- In Verses 11-14, Paul exhorts the believers to put off the works of darkness and to put on the armor of light. He says “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the faith, to fulfill its lusts.”
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What are some key take-aways for you from the Chapter we reviewed today? Feel free to dig further on your own if you have time. Have a GREAT and Blessed Day!
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