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Pauline Epistles · Romans

Romans 13 — Love Is the Fulfilling of the Law

Summary

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. The powers that be are ordained of God. Render therefore to all their dues. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. It is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh.

Key verse

“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

— Romans 13:10

Outline
  1. v.1-7 Submit to authorities
  2. v.8-10 Love fulfills the law
  3. v.11-14 Awake; put on Christ
Verse-by-verse
1 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.

A Christian theology of government. Civil authority is from God, not autonomous of Him. The believer's default posture is submission.

The verse is not absolute (Acts 5:29 limits it). But the limit is narrow — only when human authority requires disobedience to God. The default is honor and submission.

Cross-references 1 Peter 2:13-17 · Titus 3:1 · 1 Timothy 2:1-2 · Daniel 2:21
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Owe no man any thing. A check on consumer debt as a lifestyle. The Christian does not stay perpetually indebted to others.

But to love. The one debt that never gets paid off. Love is a continuing obligation, not a one-time payment.

Cross-references Galatians 5:14 · James 2:8 · John 13:34 · 1 John 4:11
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

A test for any action. Will this work ill to my neighbor? If yes, it violates love and the law together.

Love is the fulfilling. The law's positive aim. Wherever genuine neighbor-love is present, the law's requirements are met.

Cross-references Matthew 22:39-40 · Galatians 5:14 · James 2:8 · 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. Wear Him; let Him be your clothing. The Christian is not naked in His own righteousness; he wears another.

Make not provision for the flesh. A practical word. Do not arrange your life to make sin convenient. Cut off the avenues; remove the stockpile.

Cross-references Galatians 3:27 · Ephesians 4:22-24 · Colossians 3:10 · 1 Peter 1:14
Key doctrines
Submission to Civil Authority
Romans 13:1 · 1 Peter 2:13-17 · 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Love as the Continuing Debt
Romans 13:8 · John 13:34 · 1 John 4:11
Love Fulfilling the Law
Romans 13:10 · Galatians 5:14 · Matthew 22:39-40
Putting On Christ and Refusing the Flesh
Romans 13:14 · Galatians 3:27 · Colossians 3:10
Application

Verse 14 is a daily discipline. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ — dress in Him each morning. Make not provision for the flesh — do not stockpile the temptations. The combination wins the day.

Christ in this chapter

Romans 13 ends with the practical command — put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. The chapter's submission, love, and watchfulness all flow from Him. He is the clothing the Christian wears and the standard the chapter's ethics measure by.

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