Romans 第 13
KJV — King James Version · 14 節
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.
Spiritual Insight
Authority comes from God — even when the authorities don't acknowledge Him. This doesn't mean blind obedience, but it does mean basic respect for the structures God allows.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Spiritual Insight
Resisting authority means resisting something God has put in place. That's a serious claim — it means our relationship to power is always also a relationship to God.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Spiritual Insight
Rulers should be a terror to evil, not to good. When that's reversed — when good is punished and evil rewarded — something has gone terribly wrong.
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Spiritual Insight
Government is God's servant for your good. Even secular power serves God's purposes, whether it knows it or not. That's a wild thought.
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Spiritual Insight
Submit not just to avoid punishment but because your conscience tells you it's right. Fear and conviction are two different motivations — God wants the deeper one.
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Spiritual Insight
Pay your taxes — because the people collecting them are serving a public function God established. Even mundane obligations have spiritual significance.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Spiritual Insight
Give everyone what you owe them — taxes, respect, honor. Simple and comprehensive. Your obligations aren't optional just because they're inconvenient.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Spiritual Insight
The only debt you should carry is the ongoing obligation to love. Love fulfills the whole law — every commandment is answered by loving your neighbor.
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Spiritual Insight
All the commandments about how to treat others boil down to one thing: love your neighbor as yourself. If you genuinely love someone, you won't hurt them.
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Spiritual Insight
Love does no harm. It's the simplest ethical test — does this action harm or help? If love is real, it's protective, not destructive.
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Spiritual Insight
Wake up — the hour is later than you think. Salvation isn't getting farther away; it's getting closer. There's urgency in the air.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Spiritual Insight
Night is ending, day is breaking. Take off the dark deeds like dirty clothes and put on the armor of light. It's time to get dressed for the new day.
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Spiritual Insight
Walk in daylight honesty — no wild parties, no hidden sins, no jealous fights. The way you live in public should match who you are in private.
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Spiritual Insight
Clothe yourself with Christ Himself. Don't even give your old desires a chance — don't plan for them, don't make room. Fill the space with Jesus instead.