Book of Romans 13 Dec 3, 2025 Romans 13 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. —1
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. —-2
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. —-3
For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. —5
For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. —-6
Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.—-7 Seven levels of authority Rom 13:1 KJV Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. —11 Gal 1:8-9 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. —-8 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.—-9 Note If it is not written in the Scriptures… Then it is not binding. Every believer is responsible to search the scriptures to make sure that their lives are being lived on the basis of truth… The truth of the Written word of God. 3) Authority of conscience—- No human institution… Or governing power can make you violate scripture or your conscience. ( including government ) You are not to allow any governing, institution, or human being to push you to take actions that are contrary to scripture… Or to your conscience. ( including vaccinations ) All government authority All governing institutions All religious authority——-has limited authority in your life. Only Jesus Christ… And the written word of God and your conscience are the highest authorities in your life. Conscience has authority in the life of the heathen/unsaved Conscience plays a part in the judgement of the unsaved Rom 2:12-16. NLT When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. 12 For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. —13 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. —-14 They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. —-15
And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.—-16 Note A person is not made righteous by a Day…. Or by the foods they eat… or by the holidays they celebrate or don’t celebrate… or by the way they dress ——And the list goes on Note ��️ The authority of conscience… Has authority… When scripture is silent or unclear. Conscience has authority ( in your personal life ) … But not higher than scripture. Don’t let any other believer… Or leader… Bind you to their conscience. Jesus Christ…. Scripture + your conscience Rom 14:1-5 NLT Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. —1 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. —-2 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. —3 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.—-4 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable.—5 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. —17 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. 18 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.—-19 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. —-21 You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right.
But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.——23 4) Delegated authority—- Heb 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Heb 13:17 NLT Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. Rule = To lead, feed guard and guard ( Under shepherds, under the chief Shepherd ) They are not dictators over every area of your life They were there to train and help nurture the call of God in your life This is a God appointed calling… To be a leader Sheep submit because of the pastors responsibility The authority of the leader… Does not go beyond the responsibility The senior pastor… Has full responsibility over every area of the church He has authority… To carry out his responsibility Senior pastor can delegate… Areas of responsibility… To people to help The whole church operates and functions under delegated authority The only ones that carry authority… Are the ones that have responsibility And you only have authority and an opinion in the area of your responsibility If the pastor has not given you responsibility… Then it’s important that you stay focussed on your part in the body of Christ. 5). Authority of legal contract—- Jacob and Laban entered a contract together Laban broke the agreement 6) Authority of Custom—- If it does not violate scripture, or my conscience… Or any laws of the country… That I can do it 7) Functional authority —- This is dealing with authority, according to ability. Ex:
Doctor… Pilot… Please officer Depending on the circumstance, determines on who has authority in that situation. Note Be the kind of person that reaches for responsibility… With a motive to build, and to serve Never be the person who reaches for authority… This person will create hurt and problems Remember, the goal is to build the body of Christ Always check your motives… Am I trying to help… To serve… To build?
Love Your Neighbor (cf. Mark 12:31; James 2:8) Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” —-9
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.——10 Put on Christ. And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. —-11
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. —-12 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. —-13
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.—-14