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All of you must obey those who rule over you. There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen. Those who now rule have been chosen by God. 2 So whoever opposes the authorities opposes leaders whom God has appointed. Those who do that will be judged. 3 If you do what is right, you won't need to be afraid of your rulers. But watch out if you do what is wrong! You don't want to be afraid of those in authority, do you? Then do what is right, and you will be praised. 4 The one in authority serves God for your good. But if you do wrong, watch out! Rulers don't carry a sword for no reason at all. They serve God. And God is carrying out his anger through them. The ruler punishes anyone who does wrong. 5 You must obey the authorities. Then you will not be punished. You must also obey them because you know it is right. 6 That's also why you pay taxes. The authorities serve God. Ruling takes up all their time. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them. Do you owe taxes? Then pay them. Do you owe anything else to the government? Then pay it. Do you owe respect? Then give it. Do you owe honour? Then show it.
13:1–7 Paul explained that God appointed governments to make sure there is order and justice. So believers should give the authorities everything they need to do their work well. This can include respect, honour and taxes. Paul showed how governments are responsible for serving God and doing what is right. He spoke strongly about how God appoints leaders and rulers for this work. They are to punish people for doing wrong. Some rulers punish people who haven't done anything wrong. That happened to Jesus. When God's children have conflicts with authorities, they must choose to obey God. Acts chapters 4 and 5 tell a story about this.
8 Pay everything you owe. But you can never pay back all the love you owe one another. Whoever loves other people has done everything the law requires. 9 Here are some commandments to think about. ‘Do not commit adultery.’ ‘Do not commit murder.’ ‘Do not steal.’ ‘Do not want what belongs to others.’ (Exodus 20:13–15,17; Deuteronomy 5:17–19,21\rq*) These and all other commands are included in one command. Here's what it is. ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself.’ (\rq Leviticus 19:18) 10 Love does not harm its neighbour. So love does everything the law requires.
11 When you do these things, keep in mind the times we are living in. The hour has already come for you to wake up from your sleep. The full effects of our salvation are closer now than when we first believed in Christ. 12 The dark night of evil is nearly over. The day of Christ's return is almost here. So let us get rid of the works of darkness that harm us. Let us do the works of light that protect us. 13 Let us act as we should, like people living in the daytime. Have nothing to do with wild parties, and don't get drunk. Don't take part in sexual sins or evil conduct. Don't fight with each other or be jealous of anyone. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ as if he were your clothing. Don't think about how to satisfy sinful desires.
13:8–14 The Law of Moses showed Israel how to live. The way of living that Jesus taught his followers is like a new law. Jesus' law or commandment was for people to love one another (John 15:12). When people love others, they are doing everything that the Law of Moses required. Believers must show love for others as they wait for Jesus' return to earth. Paul compared this time of waiting to waking up in the morning from sleep. The nighttime was when people did evil things before they started following Jesus. The daytime is when Jesus returns to earth and people obey him completely. Paul wanted believers to start living now the way they will live when Jesus returns. Paul described this as putting Jesus on like he is clothing that they wear. This means that believers must be close to Jesus like clothing is close to their skin. It also means that others can see that believers are following Jesus faithfully.