Romans

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16

Romans 13 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Romans 13 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

(13:1-4) "The powers that be are ordained of God."
Whoever resists them will be damned.
Should we obey human or divine law?

Does it have to be one or the other? Or can we obey both? Because that is what Paul says here: obey your government, unless it asks you to do something that God forbids. The Bible doesn't mention if we should pay import duty, if we have to wear seat belts, or have emergency exits that are 70 centimeters wide. In all these things we should be loyal citizens once it has been passed in law. We have a responsibility as a citizen living in a democracy as well of course, so opposing laws or working to get them removed is not forbidden either.
But when the government asks us to do what God clearly forbids, or forbids what God clearly commands, we have to obey God first, see Acts 5:29.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

"Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil."
If you behave yourself, no king or government will mistreat you.
The Christopher Hitchens / Douglas Wilson debate

Paul does not say that if you behave yourself, the government will not mistreat you. He himself was unjustly punished on occasion, Acts 16:22-23. But also on occasion, when the law was actually followed, he received protection, Acts 22:24-25.
But no government tries to terrorize its law abiding citizens, it has laws and punishments to attempt to terrorize would-be trespassers. And we're talking about governments here in the sense Paul knew them, with laws, magistrates and proper procedure. Rogue governments or dictators who rule by whim cannot legitimately be called a government as they are usurpers, bypassing the law.

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

(13:9-10) "If there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
How should nonbelievers be treated?
The Ten Commandments: Paul coulnd't name them all either
(13:8) "Owe no man any thing."
It is wrong to borrow money.
(13:8) "Love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law."
(13:9) "Thou shalt not covet."
Is it wrong to covet?
(13:10) "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."

On the question how unbelievers should be treated, the same as our neighbors. We should love them. It doesn't mean we should marry them, see for example 2 Cor. 6:14 where the apostle Paul discusses marriage and the author of the SAB uses that text to compare apples with oranges.
The apostle Paul, with his background (Acts 22:3), couldn't name all the Ten Commandments? Does that sound plausible? Is there any reason Paul should name all Ten Commandments when he is discussing governments? No particular reason to name them all. The commandments that Paul mentions here are all the commands to do with our relation towards our neighbors. I think the commandments to do with our relation towards God gets sufficient attention in the previous chapters.
The author of the SAB also asks if it is wrong to covet: yes, it is wrong to covet the wrong things, but see 1 Cor. 12:31.

10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

(13:11-12) Paul believed that the end of the world was coming soon. "The day is at hand."

Yes, Paul believed we live in the last days. And the end is coming soon, according to God's reckoning, see 2 Pet. 3:3-8.

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

Be honest; avoid drunkeness.
Is it OK to drink alcohol?

Avoiding drunkenness and not drinking alcohol are two different things. Drinking alcohol doesn't lead to drunkenness, unless we drink too much of it.

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.