v1-7: Paul's application of 12.1-2 continues. Here he teaches proper respect for civil authorities.

v1: Society's leaders are ordained by God, and therefore must be respected. We put aside our personal rights in favour of legal submission.

We think that such authorities have no right to legislate in respect of spiritual issues. For example, abortion and euthanasia do relate to spiritual matters of life and death, but that does not necessarily give us the right to break other laws, in violence towards others, or vandalism of their property. Daniel continued to pray to the true God when the emperor made it illegal.

Elsewhere, the NT refers to the spirit of anti-Christ (1 John 4.3); some governments or authorities are demonically inspired, wreaking huge harm of their people and others.. The prophet Daniel saw disturbing visions of such. Thus, there is a tension between God-appointed authority and demonic authority. We are wise to appreciate this tension.

v2: Jews had a reputation for resisting the Roman authorities.

v3: Righteous rulers and righteous rules are there to uphold moral standards.

v4: The sword, the symbol of authority; the right to exercise authority, even to capital punishment. Here is the goodness and severity of God in society.

v5: The double obligation for Christians to obey; the primary obligation is in relation to our conscience.

v6: We pay taxes, even if we do not agree with the emphasis of the spending of the taxes.

v7: Proper respect to others, 1 Pet 2.17. It is striking that Paul and Peter both insist on obedience towards authority. Many Christians suffered severely under Roman rulers, such as Nero.

v8-10: Our debt of love; we are obliged to show love to others. We are to do them good, not hurt, in contrast sin does hurt. And ordinary human attitudes of selfishness ignore the needs of others.

v11-14: Motivation to put on the very character of Christ; an urgency in seeking holiness.

v11: It is important we know the time, so that we might live godly in the present evil age.

v12: We are children of the light, therefore we are to put on the armour of light, the character of Christ. There is both decision and action; to put off and to put on.

A true witness; not just the negative attitude that casts off the works of darkness, but the godly walk of Christ's character.

v13: Walk "as in the daytime;" in the light of Christ, doing only what pleases Him. There are certain things to avoid, although the list is not exhaustive, but illustrative;

• Revelry and drunkenness; corporate sins;
• Licentiousness and lewdness; sin in private;
• Strife and envy; sin in attitude.

We thus cast off the works of darkness.

v14: Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, in His whole character, seeking to be like Him, loving others at personal cost, speaking words that bless and encourage, having total devotion to God. See also Phil 2.5; having His attitude. The Christian is one who gets to know Him.

On a practical level, we should avoid situations that bring temptation.