Christian Citizenship - Part Two - Living Within the State. (Romans 13: 8-10)

In today’s episode, we move beyond the practical politics of tax and submission and explore the deeper calling of Christian citizenship—not just within the state, but among the people who share our streets, schools, and shopping centres.

What does it mean to owe nothing... except love? And how can this unpayable debt of love shape the way we live with our neighbours, even the difficult ones?

Join us as we consider Paul's vision of public holiness, where the gospel calls us not only to obey authority, but to honour others, respect the dignity of all, and above all, to love without limits.

Episode Notes:

• Main Scripture: Romans 13:8–10
• Key Theme: The Christian’s ongoing “debt” to love others as the fulfilment of the law.
• Summary:
  This episode continues our look at Romans 13 by turning from our obligations to the state (verses 1–7) to our responsibilities within it. Paul teaches that love is not optional—it’s a divine debt we can never fully repay. From the marketplace to the motorway, our lives as believers are marked not merely by rule-following, but by neighbour-loving.
• Topics Covered:
  • The difference between financial debt and spiritual obligation
  • What “Owe no one anything” really means
  • Why love is the one debt that never disappears
  • How public love fulfils God’s law
  • The connection between home, church, and civic life
• Reflection:
  “The debt of love remains with us permanently and never leaves us; this is a debt which we both discharge every day and forever owe.” – Origen

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• 12:54 (Cont.) Christian Citizenship - Part Two - Living Within the State. (Romans 13: 8-10)
• 12:54 (Cont.) Christian Citizenship - Part Two - Living Within the State. (Romans 13: 8-10)

Transcript

Christian Citizenship - Part Two - Within the State.  (Romans 13: 8-10)

Transcript:

 So… you’ve paid your taxes. You’ve managed to catch the local council’s bin collection schedule. You’ve even managed to avoid honking your horn at that guy who cut you off in traffic. Congratulations! You're officially a functioning member of society.

But now comes the harder part.

What exactly does it mean to live as a Christian within that society? Is it just about obeying the rules, or is there something deeper—something divine—about our daily interactions with neighbours, colleagues, and the guy who leaves his empty shopping trolley in the only remaining parking space?

In today's episode, we’re going beyond political obedience and public policy. We’re talking about the only debt you’ll never pay off—and no, it’s not your mortgage. It’s the debt of love.

Stick around as we explore Romans 13:8–10, where Paul turns our attention from Caesar to our next-door neighbours, and reminds us that true Christian citizenship isn’t just about surviving in the state—it’s about serving within it, through love, honour, and gospel-shaped grace.

Let’s get into it….

As Christians, we understand that our relationship with the Lord shapes every other relationship in our lives. Our faith brings with it clear responsibilities—first to God, and then to others. 

A sincere believer soon begins to ask, “What are my obligations in all the other areas of life?”

It often starts at home. A husband wonders how his relationship with Christ should shape his relationship with his wife—and vice versa. 

Then we think about how our faith should influence our work. And sooner or later, as we grow in spiritual maturity, we might come to ask: What is my responsibility to society as a whole? 

What does it mean to be a Christian citizen?

In our study of Romans, we've arrived at a section not often addressed in depth: the believer’s relationship to government and society. 

Romans 13:1–7 speaks clearly about our duty toward governing authorities. But beginning in verse 8, Paul shifts the focus—not just to our responsibilities to the government, but to our obligations within the state, particularly toward our neighbours—those around us who may or may not share our faith.

Paul writes:

“Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet, and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore, love is the fulfilment of the law..”

(Romans 13:7–10)

Did you notice the transition into today’s verses. Yesterday in verse 1, Paul begins with submission to governing authorities. By verse 7, he turns to our relationship with the governed—the people around us. He says, "Owe no one anything..."  This signals this shift. We're no longer just talking about how to relate to rulers, but to our fellow citizens.

Yesterday’s passage addressed what might be considered a person's public debts. Romans 13:7 outlines two of these public debts: what Paul calls revenue or tribute and taxes. By tribute/revenue, Paul refers to payments required of those who are members of a subject nation. 

The Roman government imposed three standard contributions on its subject nations:

·         A ground tax, requiring payment in cash or in kind of one-tenth of all grain and one-fifth of wine and fruit produced by one's land.

·         An income tax, amounting to one per cent of an individual's income.

·         And a poll tax, payable by every person between the ages of fourteen and sixty-five.

By including taxes and revenues in his statement this means that according to Paul, this would also include local levies such as customs duties, regional import and export taxes, and fees for using main roads, crossing bridges, entering markets and harbours, possessing animals, or driving carts and wagons.

So, Paul is emphasizing that Christians must fulfil their all-financial obligations to both state and local authorities, regardless of how burdensome they may be.

So, what is our obligation to those around us? Paul says simply: Pay what you owe. That includes financial debts, yes—but he also mentions respect, honour, and most of all, love. So, in verse 7, Paul had just said:

“Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”

That word “due” in verse 7 and the word “owe” in verse 8 come from the same Greek root. The transition from verse 7 to verse 8 isn’t abrupt—it’s a natural extension. After outlining our duties toward the state, Paul now emphasizes our duty to everyone within the state.

And the first and ongoing debt we owe to all people is love. A love that does no harm, that respects others, that reflects God’s law written on our hearts.

That’s the heart of Christian citizenship—not just political obedience, but neighbourly compassion.

There’s also something fascinating in the language Paul uses.

The word “submit” in verse 1, referring to how we relate to authority, is the same word used in Ephesians 5 to describe a wife’s submission to her husband. Likewise, the word “fear” or “respect” in verse 7 is also used in Ephesians 5 for a wife’s reverence for her husband.

In other words, the same attitudes that shape a godly home—submission to one another, respect, and love—are the very same attitudes we are called to display in our relationship with government and society. These things are first cultivated in the family and then lived out in the wider community.

So, what does Christian citizenship look like? It's not just about obeying laws and paying taxes. It's about living out the gospel in public—by honouring others, respecting those in authority, and loving our neighbours as family.

So, the Bible calls you to apply the same spiritual principles you practice in your home life. You are to submit to the government, and you are to render respect to all—just like a wife would show respect to her husband. That’s part of the debt Paul talks about.

Paul reminds his followers that Christianity compels adherence to one's obligations toward others, not avoidance.

Verse 7 also said, “Give honour to whom honour is due.” That means it's not just about basic respect—we are also called to give people honour when it's due. So this is not flattery, not favouritism, but genuine, God-honouring acknowledgment of someone’s position, dignity, or contribution to the world.

Oftem, when most people read Romans 13:8—“Owe no one anything”—they don’t think of honour or respect. They only think about money.  But I don’t think money is the primary point Paul is making, I believe it’s included. Because “owe no one anything” includes everything—and money is certainly one of those things.

So, does this mean borrowing money is a sin? Maybe you've heard someone teach that. Maybe you’ve wondered, especially if you have a credit card—or three.

Let’s look at the Bible. Turn to Psalm 37:21:

"The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives."

Now, pay attention. It doesn’t say that borrowing is wicked. It says failing to repay what you've borrowed is the issue. That may ease your conscience a bit.

And then there’s Matthew 5:42, where Jesus says:

"Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."

Clearly, Jesus assumes borrowing is a part of life. He doesn't condemn it. So, no—the Bible doesn’t teach that borrowing is inherently sinful. Psalm 37 and Matthew 5 both show us that borrowing can be legitimate, even entirely normal in certain situations.

However, let me add a word of caution: while borrowing money isn’t a sin, it’s not always wise either. Scripture teaches us to be careful, to avoid unnecessary debt where possible. And of course it’s definitely wrong to borrow and not pay what you owe.

If you want to get technical you could argue, that you don’t truly “owe” someone until the payment is past due. If you’re paying as agreed, then in a certain sense, you're not living in disobedience to Romans 13:8.

The real heart of this passage is that we should be known in our communities as people of integrity—people who pay what they owe. Whether that’s taxes, respect, honour, or money.

But then comes the exception—and it’s a surprising one.

Romans 13:8 says,

“Owe no one anything except to love one another.”

Wait—what does that mean? We’re supposed to pay all our debts... except this one?

Here’s the point: love is a debt you can never fully repay. You can catch up on your taxes. You can give honour when it’s due. You can be up to date with your bills. But love is different. You’ll always owe it. It’s a debt that renews itself daily. It’s the one thing you’ll always need to keep paying—and never be done with.

Let me make one suggestion—perhaps not Paul’s primary application, but certainly an extension of what he's saying: This ongoing debt of love has real implications for how we live publicly, how we treat others privately, and how we think about our faith practically.

Back in the opening chapter of this book, in Romans 1:14–15, Paul said:

“I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.”

Paul sees himself as under obligation—not in a financial sense, but a spiritual one. He owes the world the gospel because he himself has received such divine favour,  grace in Christ. That debt is not a burden but a mission.

Fast forward to Romans 13:8, where Paul writes:

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

Early Christian scholar Origen wrote, 

"The debt of love remains with us permanently and never leaves us; this is a debt which we both discharge every day and forever owe."

Paul contends that if one sincerely seeks to fulfil this debt of love, compliance with all commandments will ensue automatically. 

Adultery for example results not from excessive love but insufficient love, for true love also encompasses boundaries respect and restraint, thereby preventing sin. 

Love does not kill, as it aims to build up rather than destroy, seeking to transform enemies into friends. 

Furthermore, a loving individual will not steal, as love prioritizes giving over receiving. 

Covetousness, driven by uncontrolled desire for the forbidden, is also eradicated by love, which purifies the heart.

He’s telling the Roman believers that the only ongoing debt they should carry is love. Not just emotional affection, but active love—that which does good and avoids harm. This love includes the ultimate good: sharing the gospel.

There is a very strong link here between Love and the Law here.

In Romans 13:9–10, Paul is quoting the second table of the Ten Commandments—the commandments that deal with our duty to other people:

·         You shall not commit adultery

·         You shall not murder

·         You shall not steal

·         You shall not bear false witness

·         You shall not covet

He says these are summed up in the command from Leviticus 19:18:

“You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

This love does “no harm” (v.10), and therefore, love fulfils the law.

While Paul teaches that we are not under the Mosaic law (Romans 6:14; 7:6), that doesn’t mean we’re lawless. We are now under the law of Christ—the law of love (Galatians 6:2). 

This doesn’t negate the moral truths that lie behind the Ten Commandments, but rather internalizes and transcends them.

The Mosaic law said, “Don’t murder.”

Love says, “Honor and protect life.”

The law said, “Don’t commit adultery.”

Love says, “Be faithful and respect the sacred bond of marriage.”

The law said, “Don’t steal.”

Love says, “Respect what belongs to others and be generous.”

The law said, “Don’t bear false witness.”

Love says, “Speak truthfully and build others up.”

The law said, “Don’t covet.”

Love says, “Rejoice in others’ blessings and be content with your own.”

If you truly love your neighbour, you don’t need a checklist of laws—you’ll naturally act in ways that uphold them.

Love not only refrains from doing harm; it actively seeks the good of others. And the greatest good is to introduce someone to the love of Christ. That’s why Romans 13:8 connects so powerfully to Romans 1:14. Paul’s “debt” to preach the gospel is an act of love. It’s our debt too.

The ten commandment point out things to prevent us from doing these negative things.

The law of love is the application of the positive as a way of addressing the same prohibitions.

So, what do we owe the world?

We owe them love.

And the first and greatest way to love them is to tell them about Jesus.

And that brings us to the end of our time today.

So let me leave you with this simple but powerful reminder:

Your calling, as a follower of Jesus, is not about memorizing a long list of dos and don’ts. It’s not about keeping score or checking boxes. It’s about love—real, Christ-shaped, Spirit-empowered love.

You’re not under the law of Moses anymore. You’re under the law of Christ. And the love of Christ can do in you what the law never could. When you live in that love—when you abide in Him—you’ll find yourself fulfilling the law without even trying to.

Love doesn’t cheat. It doesn’t steal. It doesn’t envy the neighbour’s new car or through rubbish around the local environment. Love doesn’t drag its feet to pay a debt especially to a small local business or trades person. or pretend not to see someone in need.

No—love acts positively. Love builds up. Love gives, forgives, and serves.

So, what’s your obligation to the world around you? It’s not complicated. Don’t hurt anyone. Fulfil your obligations. Pay your debts. And remember that one debt you’ll never fully pay off—the ongoing debt to love.

You owe love to your neighbour. To your boss. To the clerk behind the counter. To the person who disagrees with you politically. To the difficult stranger who seems hard to love. You owe it because Christ first loved you.

So go and live like that. Walk in the light. Grow in grace. And every day, as you interact with this world, pay your debt.

There is a famous saying, "Love God--and do what you like." 

If love is the mainspring of a person’s heart, if their whole life is dominated by love for God and love for his fellow human beings, they needs no other law.

Thanks for joining me today. If this episode encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone else, do that. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a future episode.

But more than that—go live this out. You are loved by God, filled with His Spirit, and called to show the world a better way.

Grace and peace to you—and may love be the mark you leave behind.