Romans 13

The diagram in the previous post shows that Romans 12:3-15:14 is concerned with five great relationships we have as we live our lives as believers in Christ.  These are our relationship with our fellow-believers in the Body of Christ, with our enemies, with the governing authorities, with our neighbors, and with fellow-believers in terms of their level of spiritual maturity (i.e. the weaker brother). 

·       12:3-16: love your BROTHER by using your GIFT.

It is clear that Paul’s letter to the Romans is very foundational.  He laid out the gospel with some detail.  His letter to the Galatians was also about the gospel, but it addressed the particular issue of the influence of Judaizers.  In that sense, Galatians rests on the foundation of Romans.  I believe the same thing is true in this latter part of Romans.  For example, the teachings of Body life in 1 Cor. 12-14 rests on the foundation of Romans 12:3-16.  We have posted on this if you want to study it more. (https://ronandcindy.blogspot.com/; cf. Dec. 10-11, 2015; June 23, 2016; Oct. 29, 2025.)

We also believe that there was meant to be a connection between the seven gifts and the instructions of Rom. 12:9-16.  While the verse numbers are not part of the original manuscripts, perhaps the one who arranged them could see that each verse 9-15 fits perfectly with encouragement to the use of each of the gifts, and v16 ties it all together.  This passage tells us how to live in fellowship with other believers.

·       12:17-21: love your ENEMY with KINDNESS.

There will always be people with whom we have some level of estrangement.  They may be family members and perhaps fellow-believers, and certainly people of the world.  Jesus called us to love them, and Paul is consistent: the “kindness” is not just an attitude but specific actions of love that keep us from unnecessary offense that would close the door to the gospel.  Each of these five verses has a powerful word from the Lord to encourage us.

·       13:1-7: serve your COUNTRY by doing your DUTY.

Again, this passage is foundational for other passages such as 1 Peter 2:13-17.  Our understanding of what it means to be a good citizen is based in the teaching that governing authorities are appointed by God and that they serve a purpose designed by God.  That purpose has to do with “law and order” in society.  The “exceptions” we always want to talk about (e.g. why the apostles were thrown in jail for preaching the gospel) are not difficult to understand.  In those kinds of cases the “authority” is reaching outside the purpose God designed for him.  Even then, however, you will see that Paul, for example, sought to have a reasonably good relationship with those who imprisoned him, so that they gave him a hearing for the gospel (e.g. Ac. 13:7; 24:24-26).