A - What is Paul's view ofauthority and those who exercise it (vv. 1-5)?

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for thereis no authority except that which God has established. The authorities thatexist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoeverrebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, andthose who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulershold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you wantto be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and youwill be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servantfor your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the swordfor no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment onthe wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to theauthorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter ofconscience.

B - How would Paul's view ofgoverning authorities apply to wicked and perverse rulers such as Nero orHitler?

C - What are some reasons Paulgives for submitting to those in authority (vv. 1-5)?

D - In verse 8 Paul says,"Let no debt remain outstanding." Does this mean Christians shouldnever incur any type of debts (mortgage, car and so on)?

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authoritiesare God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Giveto everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, thenrevenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love oneanother, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

E - In verses 11-14 Paul usesseveral vivid images to describe "the present time." How does eachone give us a picture of how we should (or shouldn't) live?

9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,”“You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] andwhatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Loveyour neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Lovedoes no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

11 And do this,understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake upfrom your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we firstbelieved. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Letus behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not insexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather,clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how togratify the desires of the flesh.[c]

Applyingthe Word

F - In verses 6-7 Paulsuggests some practical ways we should submit to those in authority. What otherexamples can you think of?

G - Do you think it is everappropriate to resist rather than to submit to the authorities? Explain.

Think back over thischapter. In what ways do you need to "clothe yourselves with the LordJesus Christ"?

Respondingin Prayer

Submission does not come to us naturally. Pray thatyou will learn to submit.

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Matthew 5:16

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Galatians 2:19-21

19 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”[a]

Pastor Joseph leads the fellowship of Christ the King Newmarket in a study of Romans 9:1-29.

John 12:24

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

Romans 11

11 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,

3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:

10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?