Romans 13 Bible study guide
Author: Steve Amato
Description: Bible study guide for Romans 13
Keywords: bible study,Romans, authority, submission, debts, love, bible, free, sex

翻译: English 中文 Big5

# 罗马书１３

## 顺服于非神职的权威

13:1 在上有权柄的，人人当顺服他，

> 因为没有权柄不是出于神的。凡掌权的都是神所命的。

13:2 所以抗拒掌权的，就是抗拒神的命。
抗拒的必自取刑罚。

> 13:3 作官的原不是叫行善的惧怕，乃是叫作恶的惧怕。
> 你愿意不惧怕掌权的吗？
> 你只要行善，就可得他的称赞。

> > 13:4 因为他是神的用人，是与你有益的。
> > 你若作恶，却当惧怕。
> > 因为他不是空空的佩剑。
> > 他是神的用人，是伸冤的，刑罚那作恶的。

## 还债

13:5 所以你们必须顺服，
不但是因为刑罚，也是因为良心。
13:6 你们纳粮也为这个缘故，
因他们是神的差役，常常特管这事。
13:7 凡人所当得的，就给他：

- 当得粮的，给他纳粮；
- 当得税的，给他上税；
- 当惧怕的，惧怕他；
- 当恭敬的，恭敬他。

13:8 凡事都不可亏欠人，惟有彼此相爱，要常以为亏欠，
因为爱人的就完全了律法。

## 爱

13:9 像那“不可奸淫”，“不可杀人”，“不可偷盗”，“不可贪婪”，或有别的诫命，都包在“爱人如己”这一句话之内了。
13:10 爱是不加害与人的，所以爱就完全了律法。

## 光明的行为

13:11 再者，你们晓得现今就是该趁早睡醒的时候，
因为我们得救，现今比初信的时候更近了。
13:12 黑夜已深，白昼将近，
我们就当脱去暗昧的行为，带上光明的兵器。
13:13 行事为人要端正，好像行在白昼。

- 不可荒宴醉酒，
- 不可好色邪荡，
- 不可争竞嫉妒。

13:14 总要披戴主耶稣基督，
不要为肉体安排，去放纵私欲。

# 问题讨论

对保罗关于顺服于非神职的权威的话，当时的基督徒会有什么顾虑？
如果这些权威是“邪恶”的或暴虐的怎么办？
顺服于非神职的权威的合宜的动机是什么？
如果算上所交的税，你给神的奉献占你的收入的百分之几？
你所见到的人对其它人所带来的直接或间接的伤害有哪些？
你所见到的人对其它人所带来的直接或间接的好处有哪些？
举例说明有些以爱的名义做的事其实给人带来了伤害。
举几个基督徒的爱的例子。
如何衡量“端正”的行为？
什么促使你做为基督徒端正地行事为人？
你以哪些人做为你生活的典范？

# 注释

(vs 1-5) 顺服于非神职的权威

I have found consistently when the subject of submission to human authority comes up people will object on the basis of the imperfection of human authority. It seems a part of human nature to find excuses not to submit to authority. We may demonize them in our thinking, only calling to mind their sinfulness so as to feel justfied in rebelling against them. I'm sure that Paul often was faced with Christians complaining about the injustice and oppression of the Roman authorities. Of course human authority only has a limited realm of authority, but within that realm they are legitimate God-ministering authorities. And in this sense Paul is speaking of these civil authorities. If they are rewarding evil and punishing good, they are acting outside their legitimate realm of authority. But that does not nullify their God-given authority to reward good and punish evil. The Old Testament has many examples of God using pagan authority figures as his ministers, and punishing them if they overstep their authority. “亚述是我怒气的棍，手中拿我恼恨的杖。” 以赛亚书１０：５

At the time, FEAR was the primary motivator to get people to submit to authority. The more rebellious the people, the more oppressive the Romans were. The Romans even developed crucifixion to terrorize the people into submission. However, Paul was introducing another motivation here - submission FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE. As imperfect as they were, these civil authorities were legitimate ministers of God. I suppose that Paul empathized with them, as he also was a minister of God in a position of authority. And he also motivated people to follow Jesus out of fear and for conscience sake.

(vs 6) Taxes

And just as he had argued in 歌林多前书９ that ministers have a legitimate right to get payed for ministering (though he himself had chosen not to), so also he views taxes as a sort of tithe to God. In Moses' time, both social and religious programs were supported by tithes and offerings. Much of our taxes provide for social security - for the elderly and other social programs for the poor. They go to paying government authorities and programs much as the Mosaic tithe went to paying the Levites and the Temple. So when you pay your taxes, you are fulfilling a religious duty.

(vs 7-8a) Debts

There are legitimate monetary debts that we have, as well as being in debted to respect and honor those in authority. These Paul views as responsibilities we are obligated to fulfill. He is not preaching freedom from debt as freedom from responsibility. But rather freedom from debt, having fulfilled our responsibilities. "Owe no one anything" does not mean that you should take out loans, but rather the idea is "fulfill the obligations that you have to others". So with respect to loans, pay your loans on time according to your agreement.

It is interesting the Paul mentions respect and honor. Money is usually most on people's mind when they think of debt. I'm sure there were Christians thinking, "Isn't it enough that we have to pay these secular civil authorities. But now we also have to respect and honor them as well!"

(vs 8b-10) Love

Here's a debt that we should never really think that we've completely fulfilled. We shouldn't think - "I loved my neighbor yesterday. That's all he's going to get from me!" Love for others goes beyond just a responsibility. It should be a part of who we are and what we do. And if we love, we are already fulfilling our social responsibilities as summarized in the 10 commandments. One way to measure your love for others is to ask youself or your neighbor, "What harm am I doing to my neighbor? And what good?" (Directly or indirectly) Love demands discerment, for without it, you may not realize what harm or good you are doing to others. (腓立比书１：９－１１)

(vs 11-14) Enlightened Behavior

The salvation Paul is referring to is the completion of our salvation with the return of Christ and the redemption of our physical bodies. With this is view, we should behave appropriately, just as the Apostle John also says in 约翰一书３：２，３. In which case, a Christian's behavior is really a measure of his faith.

"Decently" is not that measured by the world, but by Biblical standards, controlling the passions of the flesh.

The "armor of light" (vs 12) is mention in 以弗所书６：１１－１８, and is also related to the statement "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ" (vs 14). Having established the motivation for decent behavior, Paul gives the model of decent behavior - the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospels then become central to the Christian life, as they describe Christ and his behavior.

Though our flesh craves to sin, yet we should ignore such cravings and rather focus on Christ - honorable and appropriate behavior, fulfilling our responsibilities, in view of the fruitfulness it will produce and the glory at Christ's return.