- Paul continues to provide application from the doctrine previously presented in Romans. In this chapter, he focuses upon the believer's relationships with the magisterial authority and their neighbor.
- (v. 1\) Christians have often interpreted this passage as saying that they must obey every command given by their government authorities, as long as the command does not directly commission them to sin. Rather, Paul is telling the one in authority and the one under authority to both consider what is lawful.
- To the one in authority:
- (v. 1\) Authority is given by God, not by man, so whatever authority is claimed must only be over that which God has given authority over (1 Samuel 14:45)
- (v. 3\) Approve what is good
- (v. 4\) Bear the sword
- To the one under authority:
- (v. 2\) Expect the authority to render judgment upon the evil
- (vv. 6-7) Provide taxes/tribute to the authority who does their duty
- Paul's Jewish audience in this letter were especially averse to giving tribute to the Roman magistrate (Luke 20:21-26)
- (v. 8\) Paul then moves to the relationship one has with his neighbor, demonstrating that to be lawful to one another we must apply the second table of the decalogue.
- Paul lists off the second table, and tells us to love one another, and in so doing, we fulfill the law (v. 10\)
- However, we cannot perfectly fulfill this law, only Christ can, and He did
- So to do right by our neighbor we must "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 14\) and deny any "provision for the flesh"