13:6-7
As further obedience to the civil authorities, we are to pay taxes imposed on us by them. Paul repeats that even the taxing authorities are ministers of God.
Jesus taught the same thing. When asked if the Jews should pay taxes to Caesar, Jesus said to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s”. (Matthew 22:15-22)
Jesus showed that God has delegated authority to governments over some areas. But, in the things of religion and worship, God has not given authority to the government to interfere or control.
In addition to the payment of taxes, we are to show respect and honor to those to whom it is due. We do not do this well in America. It has become common to disrespect those in authority of all types.
Love Fulfills The Law
13:8-10
Paul instructs us not to owe anything to anyone. This may be a general instruction to avoid debt. However, it is likely an instruction to pay what you owe. Thus, it reflects verse 7 (Pay to all what is owed to them). This is particularly true of government authorities that imposes taxes and fees.
The exception to this command is love. Paul casts our duty to love in terms of debt. We owe a debt of love to each other. This is a reflection of the command in Leviticus 19:18: “…you shall love your neighbor as yourself…”.
This is not a command to love yourself, by the way. It is assumed that you do. But we are to love others at least as well as we love ourselves and act toward them accordingly.
Not only is love a debt we owe to each other, it is a fulfillment of the law. (8) Look back at the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20) You will see that the first set of commandments concern our relationship to God. (Exodus 20:1-11) We are to worship only him, not make or worship idols, not take his name in vain, and observe his Sabbath.
But the second group of commandments, the second “table”, concern our relationships to others. We must honor our parents. We must not murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, or covet. (Exodus 20:12-17) Obeying these commandments is an expression of love for each other. It is a fulfillment of the law in that it is the full measure of what it requires. (8)
Paul lists them as examples as well: do not commit adultery, murder, or theft. Do not covet. And then he threw in a general statement: “or any other commandment”. (9) If you love someone, you do not wrong them. (10)
Some consideration should also be given here to gossip. Gossip is the spreading of rumors. Most often, the rumor is false or partly false. It is often speculation, based on assumptions made by the one starting the rumor. As such, it certainly violates the command to refrain from bearing false witness. Regards of truth or falsity, the Bible condemns gossip (Romans 1:29, 2 Corinthians 2:20, 1 Timothy 5:13).
So, don’t do it! It harms others and it harms the church.
An extreme (and incorrect) interpretation of Paul’s statement that love fulfills the law is that Christians do not have to obey any of the commandments. All we have to do is have affection for others. These interpreters also cite Jesus’ statement that he came to fulfill the law. (Matthew 5:17)
The theological term for this position is antinomianism. The word antinomianism comes from two Greek words: anti, meaning "against"; and nomos, meaning "law." Literally, Antinomianism means “against the law.”
Clearly, Paul was not an antinomian. He gives many lists of commands we must obey, including this passage.
Jesus also said: “if you love me, you will keep my commandments”. (John 14:15)
The apostle John reiterated Christ’s command twice. First, he wrote:
“Whoever says ‘I know him’, but does not keep his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.” (1 John 2:3-6)
Second, John wrote: “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments”. (1 John 5:3)
So, we see the moral law as forever binding and instructional for living a holy life that is pleasing to God. This is the historical and traditional view of Protestants. It is the traditional view of Baptists.
Chapter 19 of the 1689 London Baptist Confession maintains this view. Subsequent Baptist confessions have held this position, including the Philadelphia Confession of 1742, New Hampshire Confession of 1833, The Baptist Faith & Message 1925-2000.
Therefore, we obey God’s commandments, not for salvation, which is by faith, but for holy living as God commanded. (1 Peter 1:15 - you also be holy in all your conduct) Our obedience is driven by love for God and people.
It seems to be difficult for many people to find a correct perspective of the law. The extremes are legalism, where one is bound by rules and not grace, and antinomianism.
We should avoid both extremes.
