Romans 13: “Obedience, Love, and the Day at Hand”
1. “Let Every Person Be Subject to the Governing Authorities”
“For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Rom 13:1)
Paul begins with civic duty.
After urging the faithful to overcome evil with good, he explains how this includes respect for lawful order.
Authority is not self-created; it reflects God’s providence.
St John Chrysostom notes:
“Even bad rulers are permitted by God’s wisdom; He makes use of their rule to test and purify His people.”
(Homilies on Romans XXIII)
Explanation: “Authority from God”
The Church teaches that political authority, in itself, is part of the natural law — necessary for justice and the common good (cf. CCC 1897–1904).
This does not mean every ruler’s actions are just; it means the office of governance derives its legitimacy from God.
When authority commands what is evil, Christians must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).
St Augustine summarises:
“As the soul rules the body, so God rules men through men. But rulers must remember they are subjects of the Supreme King.”
(City of God XIX.14)
2. “Whoever Resists the Authorities Resists What God Has Appointed”
“And those who resist will incur judgment.” (v. 2)
Disobedience to just authority endangers both civil peace and spiritual integrity.
Christians are called to be exemplary citizens unless obedience to God forbids compliance.
St Bede:
“The Christian is not a rebel but a pilgrim; he obeys earthly law as long as it does not contradict the heavenly.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.40)
3. “Rulers Are Not a Terror to Good Conduct”
“Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval.” (v. 3)
Government’s proper function is to reward good and restrain evil.
When it fulfils that role, it acts as God’s servant (diakonos).
St Ambrose comments:
“Even the sword in a judge’s hand serves God’s justice when wielded rightly.”
(On the Duties of the Clergy I.27)
Explanation: “The Servant of God”
Paul calls the civil ruler diakonos Theou — literally “minister of God.”
This same term is used of deacons and servants in the Church, showing that all legitimate authority is service, not domination.
4. “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.” (v. 4)
Paul affirms the right of public justice — not private vengeance — to punish wrongdoing.
The sword symbolises lawful authority to preserve order and protect the innocent.
St Augustine:
“It is not contrary to the command ‘Thou shalt not kill’ for the judge to put to death, acting not in hatred but in obedience to law.”
(Letter 153)
5. “Therefore One Must Be in Subjection”
“Not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.” (v. 5)
Obedience is not fear of punishment but respect for divine order.
The Christian acts from conscience — a heart trained to recognise what is just.
St John Chrysostom:
“He would have us obey not as slaves but as those who discern in the ruler the image of divine ordinance.”
(Homilies on Romans XXIII)
6. “For the Same Reason You Pay Taxes”
“For the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay all of them their dues: taxes to whom taxes are due, respect to whom respect, honour to whom honour.” (vv. 6–7)
Paul makes civic obligations concrete: taxes, respect, and honour.
Honour does not mean moral approval of every ruler but acknowledgment of lawful structure.
St Bede:
“Tribute given for public order is no loss to charity, for he who pays for peace contributes to the common good.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.40)
7. “Owe No One Anything, Except to Love One Another”
“For he who loves his neighbour has fulfilled the law.” (v. 8)
From civic duty Paul turns to the universal law of love.
Love is the only debt that can never be paid off — it remains perpetually owed.
St Augustine famously writes:
“Love, and do what you will. If you hold your peace, hold it out of love; if you cry out, cry out of love.”
(Sermon 7)
Explanation: “Fulfilment of the Law”
Jesus declared the greatest commandments to be love of God and neighbour (Matt 22:37–40).
Paul now echoes this: charity does not abolish moral law but embodies its spirit.
To love is to will the true good of another in God.
8. “The Commandments Are Summed Up in This Word”
“You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (vv. 9–10)
Love guards against every sin against others — adultery, murder, theft, coveting.
It is not sentimental affection but moral action grounded in God’s will.
St Bede:
“The law forbids; love prevents. What fear avoids, charity detests.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.40)
9. “You Know What Hour It Is”
“The hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” (v. 11)
Christian ethics are eschatological — lived in the light of the approaching day of the Lord.
Paul’s call is not panic but spiritual wakefulness.
St Ambrose exhorts:
“Awake, O sleeper, to the dawn of righteousness. Night is the ignorance of sin; day is the light of Christ.”
(Exposition of Luke VII.243)
Explanation: “Eschatological Urgency”
Eschatology refers to “the last things” — death, judgment, heaven, and hell.
Paul reminds believers that moral indifference is spiritual sleep.
Every moment is lived before the approaching day when Christ returns in glory.
10. “The Night Is Far Gone, the Day Is at Hand”
“Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light.” (v. 12)
The Christian life is warfare: casting off sin, arming oneself with virtue.
Light and darkness symbolise grace and sin, truth and deceit.
St John Chrysostom:
“He bids us not only to lay aside but to arm — to be not naked but clothed with Christ.”
(Homilies on Romans XXIV)
11. “Let Us Walk Properly as in the Day”
“Not in revelry and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy.” (v. 13)
Paul names concrete sins — excess, impurity, and rivalry — the vices of night.
Christians are called to the sobriety of dawn.
St Augustine in his Confessions tells how these very words converted him:
“No further would I read; for instantly, with the ending of this sentence, there was infused into my heart a light of full certainty, and all the darkness of doubt fled away.”
(Confessions VIII.12)
12. “Put On the Lord Jesus Christ”
“And make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (v. 14)
This verse summarises Christian sanctity: to “put on Christ” means to live in His virtues, clothed in His grace.
The flesh here means fallen human nature turned toward selfish appetite.
St Ambrose explains:
“To put on Christ is to imitate His humility, patience, and purity; He is both the garment and the adornment of the soul.”
(On the Mysteries VII.41)
13. Theological Summary
| Theme | Explanation |
| Divine origin of authority | Civil order reflects God’s providence, though rulers remain accountable. |
| Obedience and conscience | Christians obey lawful commands out of respect for divine order. |
| Love as fulfilment | Charity sums up and perfects all moral law. |
| Eschatological urgency | Christian life is lived in view of Christ’s coming. |
| Putting on Christ | Sanctification as sharing in Christ’s character through grace. |
14. Moral and Spiritual Application
Be a good citizen. Support justice and order, obeying lawful authority.
Let love be your law. Every duty fulfilled by genuine charity.
Stay awake spiritually. Live with urgency and hope, not moral drowsiness.
Cast off the works of darkness. Examine conscience; confess sin; walk in light.
Clothe yourself with Christ. Let His virtues become your daily habit.
15. Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Sun of Righteousness,
You call us from the night of sin to the light of Your grace.
Teach us to live as faithful citizens of earth and heaven,
obeying rightly, loving sincerely, and serving eagerly.
Clothe us with Yourself,
that the day of Your coming may find us awake,
radiant in the armour of light.
You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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