Submission to Governing Authorities
1Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Love Fulfills the Law
8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”13:9 Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deut. 5:17-19,21 and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”13:9 Lev. 19:18 10Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
The Day Is Near
11And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.13:14 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.
服从政府的权柄
1人人都要服从执掌权柄的，因为所有的权柄都是出于上帝。所有掌权的都是上帝设立的。 2所以，抗拒掌权者，就是抗拒上帝的命令，抗拒的人必自招惩罚。 3掌权的不是叫行善的惧怕，而是叫作恶的惧怕。你想不怕掌权的吗？就要行善，这样你会得到他的称赞。 4因为掌权的是上帝的仆人，对你有益处。然而，你若作恶，就该惧怕，因为他必将你绳之以法13:4 “他必将你绳之以法”希腊文是“他佩剑，不只是作作样子”。。他是上帝的仆人，代表上帝秉公行义，惩奸罚恶。 5所以，你们必须服从，不单是为了免受惩罚，也是为了良心无愧。
6你们纳税也是为了同样的缘故，因为掌权的是上帝的仆人，负责管理这类事务。 7凡是人该得的，都要给他。该得粮的，就纳粮给他；该得税的，就缴税给他；该惧怕的，就惧怕他；该尊敬的，就尊敬他。
爱邻如己
8凡事都不可亏欠人，但在彼此相爱方面要常常觉得亏欠。一个人爱别人，就成全了律法。 9因为“不可通奸、不可杀人、不可偷盗、不可贪心”13:9 出埃及记20:13‑15、17；申命记5:17‑19、21。以及其他诫命，都可以总结成一句话——“爱邻如己”13:9 利未记19:18。。 10爱不会作恶害人，所以爱成全了律法。
11还有，要知道现今是你们该睡醒的时候了！因为与初信的时候相比，我们得救的日子更近了。 12黑夜已深，白昼将临，我们要除掉黑暗的行为，穿上光明的盔甲13:12 “穿上光明的盔甲”或译“带上光明的兵器”。。 13我们要为人端正，光明磊落，不可荒宴醉酒，不可好色邪荡，不可嫉妒纷争。 14你们要活出主耶稣基督的荣美13:14 “活出主耶稣基督的荣美”希腊文是“穿上主耶稣基督”。，不可放纵本性的私欲。
