Authorities, love, and the near day (Romans 13:1–14)

Says After “Do not avenge yourselves” (12:19, BSB) and “overcome evil with good” (12:21, BSB), Romans 13 turns to governing authorities, the debt of love, and the nearness of salvation.

Says The chapter has three movements. “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities” (13:1, BSB). “Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love” (13:8, BSB). “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” (13:11, BSB). “The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near” (13:12, BSB).

Implies The turn to public authority does not withdraw the ban on personal vengeance. What submission requires is not settled in this overview.

Uncertain How far the duty reaches, how love fulfills the law, and what horizon “nearer” names are left to the notes on 13:1–7, 13:8–10, and 13:11–14. No lean is taken here.