Discussion question: The passage from v8-v14 seems fairly disjoint from the passage in v1-v7. Is there a connection between these two passages or are they one two separate topics?
Leader: for your review
At first glance it may seem that the two passages are not connected, but reading it has a crescendo effect. Paul says that we are to obey the governments we are placed under because they are established by God. Then he says that we should pay our taxes when due, which is probably one of the most difficult governmental laws to follow, no one likes paying taxes; Jesus commanded us to do it. So Paul spells out that we should obey the government, and then takes the command one step further by telling us we even have to pay our taxes. Then in v7 he spreads his command out even farther and says that we should render to anyone what is due to them, hax, custom, fear, honor. Paul takes the command to obey the government, then raises it up a level and shows how we should live out this command in other ways as well; just as we give the government what is due to it, we should give to others what is due to them (money, honor, fear). In fact, as Paul says, the highest command I give you is to love others, just as Christ commanded you, by obeying the government, you fulfill this, by paying your taxes, you fulfill this, by giving honor to others, you fulfill this, by not stealing, coveting, committing adultery, committing murder, etc. you fulfill this. So we see that Paul gives a type of hierarchy of commands and shows what their root is, love.
See John 14:15 – if you love me, you will keep my commandments. Jesus is telling us that we will not keep God’s law out of obligation, but out of love. There is no “might keep my commandments” here. Jesus says that once we are united to Him, we WILL keep His commandments.
Discussion question: What does love look like? Compare/contrast what the world would say love looks like to what the Bible would say. How has Satan lied to us through movies, entertainment, bad relationships, etc.?
Leader: for your review
Acts 4:19-20 – Peter and John did not give in to just anybody who wanted something from them. This tells us that love is not always agreeable and submissive.
Acts 7:51 – Stephen calls the Jews stiff-necked. This tells us that love does not hold back to respect someone’s “feelings”.
Gal 6:1-2 – Paul tell us to restore others that are caught in sin and to bear their burdens. This tells us that love has to say some hard things (see 2 Tim 3:16)
Titus 1:9 – We are to hold fast to sound doctrine and refute those who do not. This tells us that love cares for a brother or sister’s walk with the Lord (see 2 Tim 4:2.
Eph 3:14-19 – Paul prays fervently for his people. This tells us that love is concerned with others’ relationships with God and fights for those relationships.
It would seem from the Scriptures that true love is far from making someone happy at any cost.
Discussion question: What does it mean in v11 when it says it is the hour for us to awaken from sleep?
Leader: for your review
It seems that Paul is using a kind of timelessness statement. He is not saying that at some point in the future, it will be a certain time and that will be the time of our salvation. He is saying that it is NOW the time of our salvation, that it has already happened.
Discussion question: Why does Paul warn the believers at Rome to be on their guard? Shouldn’t they do these things regardless of when Christ will return? Shouldn’t the reason for doing these things be love and not fear?
See Matt 24
Leader: for your review.
v13-14 are the famous passages that St. Augustine read and believed and began his journey with Christ. “Confessions” tells the story wonderfully.
Discussion question: What does it mean to put on the Lord Jesus Christ?
read through Ephesians 6:11-17 and 1 Thess 5:5-11
Discussion question: Haven’t we already put on the Lord Jesus Christ according to Galatians 3:27?
See Romans 6
