Romans 13: Put On The Lord Jesus Christ

Romans 13: Put On The Lord Jesus Christ

Collin Leong.  December 1st, 2025


(v1-7) Submission to the Authorities

(v1-4) Let everyone be subject to the government. There is no authority except from God, and the government have been instituted by God. Whoever resists the authorities resist what God has appointed, and they will incur judgement. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval. For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, and avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 

(v5-7) Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are administers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay what is owed to them: taxes, revenue, respect, and honor to whom honor is owed. 

Exp: The passage above said that we should submit to the governing authorities, as they are seen as "God's servant" to maintain order and punish wrong doing. But what if the government are corrupted and banned Christianity and kill Christians? Acts 5:29 provides a counterbalance: “We must obey God rather than men.” When human laws directly contradict God’s commands, obedience to God takes precedence. Daniel 3 & 6 show examples of faithful resistance: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the golden image, and Daniel continued praying despite the king’s decree. Both defied unjust laws but accepted the consequences. 

When rulers ban Christianity or persecute believers, Christians are not called to violent revolt against corrupt governments. Instead, they are called to faithful resistance — obeying God above all, practicing civil disobedience when laws contradict God’s commands, and enduring persecution with hope. Jesus commands believers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). Revolt risks undermining the gospel’s witness, but resistance preserves it. 

Christians historically have practiced civil disobedience — meeting secretly to worship, preach, and live faithfully, even under threat. The guiding principle: Submission to God’s higher authority comes first.

(v8-10) Love Fulfills The Law

(v8-10) Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another fulfills the law. The commandments of "You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet (Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deut. 5:17-19,21), and others are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Lev. 19:18). Love does no wrong to  a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. 

(v11-14) The Day Is Near

(v11-14) The hour has already come for you to wake from sleep. Salvation is nearer to use now that we first believed. They night is far gone, the day is at hand. So let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. 

Exp: When Paul uses the word "salvation" in v11, it is not referring to the salvation one received when he received the Lord as his savior. This is referring to the final stage when Christ return. It's the moment when believers will be fully delivered from sin, death and the brokenness of the world. But was Paul wrong to say that the "day is at hand" (v12), when that day hasn't happened yet after 2000 years? We need to understand that Paul was not giving a calendar prediction. Instead, he was emphasizing nearness in theological time, not chronological time. In other words, when Jesus died and resurrected, it has already inaugurated the “last days.” Everything after that is the countdown toward completion. 

2nd Peter 3:8-9 address this tension: “With the Lord one day is as a thousand years… The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise… but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

Paul also said to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (v14) - just as our clothing shapes how others see us, “putting on” Christ means visibly embodying His character. We are to cast out our old clothes of sinful desire, but to put on Christ's virtues and His way of living - humility, love, purity, and obedience. It’s not just external imitation but internal transformation. Believers are to let Christ’s Spirit reshape desires, priorities, and actions.

Key Messages

Romans 13 continues Paul’s practical exhortations, focusing on how believers live responsibly in society. It emphasizes submission to governing authorities, fulfilling the law through love, and living with urgency in light of salvation. The chapter shows how Christian ethics extend beyond the church into civic life and daily interactions.

1. Submit to Governing Authorities (vv.1–7)

Paul teaches that all authority is established by God, and believers should respect and obey rulers as part of their witness.

  • Obedience is not blind allegiance but recognition of God’s sovereignty.

  • Paying taxes, showing respect, and honoring leaders are part of responsible Christian conduct.

Application: Live as a good citizen. Respect laws and institutions, not out of fear of punishment but as an act of conscience before God. Your integrity in civic life reflects your faith.

2. Fulfill the Law Through Love (vv.8–10)

Paul declares that love is the fulfillment of the law.

  • Commandments against adultery, murder, theft, and coveting are summed up in “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

  • Love seeks the good of others and avoids harm.

Application: Let love guide your relationships. Instead of focusing on rules, ask: “Does this action show love?” Genuine love prevents harm and builds community.

3. Live with Urgency and Holiness (vv.11–14)

Paul reminds believers that salvation is nearer now than when they first believed.

  • The imagery of “night” and “day” calls for casting off deeds of darkness and putting on the armor of light.

  • Believers are urged to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” and not gratify sinful desires.

Application: Live with spiritual alertness. Time is short, so prioritize holiness and Christlike character. Replace selfish indulgence with practices that reflect the light of Christ.

In summary: Romans 13 shows that Christian transformation is not only inward but outward—shaping how believers relate to government, neighbors, and daily life. It’s about embodying love and integrity in every sphere of society.




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