Philippians 1, Joyous Imprisonment

Paul's letter to Philippians is one of my favorites.  Long ago, in college, with my good friend, Ed, I attempted to memorize the letter.

Philippians 1: 1-2, Greeting

Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is a classic first century greeting, naming the letter writers and the recipients of the letter. Here the letter writers add an identification as bond-servants of the Messiah, echoing the Old Testament ebed YHWH, terms given to Moses and the prophets. (See Isaiah 40-55.) The basic well-wishes that might begin any letter here emphasize the work of God and Jesus.

"Overseers" here might be translated as "bishop" or (today) "elder".  Paul addresses all the Christians in Philippi as "saints".

Philippians 1: 3-6, Praying with joy

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus. 

This book will have an emphasis on Joy.  Here Paul expresses confidence that those in Philippi who have begun to walk with the Savior-Messiah will continue to steadily grow until the Messiah's kingdom comes in full force.

(From Envision Truth 499 comes this drawing of Philippians 1:6)

Philippians 1: 7, Regardless of chains

For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.

This letter is another "prison epistle", written when Paul was presumably in prison in Rome, as recorded at the end of Acts. Paul's confidence in the Christ-followers in Philippi is based on a longterm relationship, these people are "partakers" with him.

Philippians 1: 8-11, Grow loving, knowledge, righteousness

For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may overflow still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may discover the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God.

Love is important -- but it grows with knowledge and insight. Paul's prayer is for a maturity in the Philippian believers, becoming "sincere" and "blameless", looking towards a future "day of Christ". All of this is to result in God's praise and glory.

Philippians 1: 12-14, Greeting

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brothers and sisters, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

Paul's imprisonment seems to be constructive, strengthening the Christians in Rome.  Indeed, the gospel is working within the emperor's palace or palace guard.

(Philippians 1:13)

Philippians 1: 15-18a, Different motivations

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from goodwill; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. 

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice

Paul is aware that some seem to be preaching Christ for their own personal gain.  (If only he could see things now!) Regardless, he is unperturbed.

Philippians 1: 18b-19, But I will rejoice

But not only that, I also will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 

According to the NASB footnotes, the word translated "deliverance" in verse 19 could also be translated "salvation".  When the New Testament speaks of "salvation" it often does not mean "eternal salvation" as a American Christian might use the term.

Once, long ago, Jan and I visited a fundamentalistic church in rural Illinois.  The greeting the churchgoers gave everyone as they approached the building was "Are you saved?"  When we were asked that, I was tempted to ask, "Saved from what?" -- but knowing the context, Jan and I simply said, "Yes" and walked in. But the interpretation of "salvation" requires context.

Philippians 1: 20-26, Given over to Christ, regardless...

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes. 

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your pride in Christ Jesus may be abundant because of me by my coming to you again.

We read here a beautiful, now classic passage, predating Hamlet's soliloquy. Paul, in prison and having narrowly escaped death numerous times, is content if Death comes and he gets to "move on up" and be with Christ. But then, again, if he is granted life, remaining "in the body", he will also use that for Christ's kingdom.

Philippians 1: 27-28, Standing firm, in one spirit

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God. 

Paul encourages the Philippians to "stand firm" in their faith, indeed grow in their faith, not alarmed by persecutors.

Philippians 1: 29-30, Request granted

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Verse 29 should be allowed to sink in -- Paul's tells the Philippians that they have been "granted" the opportunity for suffering, almost as if they had requested it!  "I just want you to know that your request has been approved! You will be allowed to suffer for Jesus!"  I don't think this is a request that I have made!  :-)

Tomorrow we will go on to look at the gift of Joy (a favorite theme of C. S. Lewis.)

(This version of the Bible used in this blog post is the NASB. This post will eventually appear in my New Testament blog on 6/16 2025. At this time I am focusing my attention on working through the Old Testament at oldtestamentchapters.blogspot.com.)

Paul's Letter to Philippi

One of my favorite New Testament books is Paul's Epistle (letter) to the Philippians.  In early college, I attempted to memorize it with good friend, Ed Mason -- I recall getting into chapter 3 before I quit. (I quit memorizing the passage after meditating on Philippians 3:1, realizing that memorization had become a legalistic regime for me, sucking joy out of my Christian walk!)

The Greek community of Philippi was the first place Paul visited after leaving Asia Minor (modern Turkey) for the west.

Paul first visited Philippi when, while in Asia Minor, he has a vision in which someone from that region appears and begs for Paul to come help them (Acts 16:9-10.)   His visit to that city is described in the remainder of Acts 16.  Paul and Silas are well received there (a special convert is a woman named Lydia) but eventually a healing of a woman fortune-teller leads to uproar and Paul and Silas are imprisoned.  Even that turn of events is good, for God intervenes and the jailer and his family become believers. Paul returns to the region in Acts 20:1-6.

The book has some strong theological statements, both on living in Christian community and also on the nature of Christ.  In the second chapter Paul gives a hymn of praise about Jesus, expressing both the deity of Christ and Christ's human nature.  It has an underlying theme of joy within suffering.

We will finish Philippians early this next week and then [in 2025] move on to the book of Colossians.

Resources

I am using a number of resources for my study in Philippians.

• The Tyndale New Testament commentaries has a commentary, The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians,  by Ralph P. Martin. I purchased my copy the day after my 21st birthday.  It has been my main source for this study.
• There is a nice summary at the Bible Project, including a a 9 minute video that I recommend.
• OverviewBible.com has a good summary of the letter here. 
• An online commentary by The Gospel Coalition is here.
• An online commentary by EasyEnglishBible (with comments and translation accessible to English language learners) is here. 

(The version of the Bible used in this blog post is the NASB. This post will eventually appear in my New Testament blog on 6/15/2025. At this time I am focusing my attention on working through the Old Testament at oldtestamentchapters.blogspot.com.)

Romans 12, A Caring Community

Paul has finished his theological treatise and now moves on to application.

Romans 12:1-2, So -- live sacrificial and transformed lives!
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

A Bible sage once said, "When you see the word 'therefore' in the Scriptures, you should ask, 'What is it there for?' "  The first word of this chapter announces a new direction.  The previous porition of the letter sets out a systematic argument regarding Christ's work for Gentiles and Jews.  Now Paul turns to practical matters based on this new knowledge.

He begins by emphasizing that this practice does indeed require a "renewing of the mind", thinking in new ways, with a new understanding of the world.

Romans 12:3-5, How to be "sacrificial"

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 

There is a simple humility in realizing we are part of a community, the Church (or, in Jesus's terms, "the Kingdom of God".)

Romans 12: 6-8, On spiritual gifts

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 

We each should offer our abilities and talents for the good of this "kingdom".

Romans 12: 9-12, Sincere love

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 

Paul gives a quick flurry of proverbial instructions.

Romans 12: 13-15, Hospitality and grace

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 

Verse 15 is good advice. The best answer to the grief of a friend is to simply weep with them. Laugh with those who are happy, weep with those who weep.  Be part of their community and their emotions.

Romans 12:16, Harmony and humility

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.  

Another translation of "willing to associate with people of low position" is "be willing to do menial work."  Part of living in harmony as that we stoop to do what needs to be done and don't try to rely on privilege.

Romans 12:17-19, Peace

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 

"Live at peace with everyone" has an important caveat, "as far as it depends on you," which admits that not everyone wants to live in peace!

When dealing with bitterness, strive to let go of it, as it only harms the one who is bitter.  Turn bitterness over to God and if "vengeance" is necessary, don't let it come from you.

The quote in verse 19 is from Deuteronomy 32:35.

Romans 12:20-21, Overcome evil with good

On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I find the Old Testament quote (from Proverbs 25:21-22) rather strange and unusual. The "burning coals" phrase is surely negative, as if doing good to your enemies will discomfort and embarrass them.  But isn't that contradictory to verse 10, where "love must be sincere"?

A colleague was discussing her recognition that many hymns carry a deeply spiritual, inspired message, reflecting the Scriptures.  As an example, she sent me the following hymn which, I think, reflects the emphasis in this chapter on spiritual gifts.

(I don't know is this is readable in the blog, but the hymn begins, "With gifts that differ by your grace your Spirit fits us all, that Christians in each time and place may answer when you call...."  It continues to elaborate on the use of various gifts.  I thank colleague Linda Zientek for this example!)

Acts 28, Paul in Rome

Paul and his companions have just survived a Mediterranean storm and shipwreck.

Acts 28:21-6

Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to  live." But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead,  but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

Luke describes a battered and weary company, in the cold rain, seeking to start a fire. They are aided by an apparently miraculous event, a snake latching onto Paul's hand yet he is not harmed.  This convinces the locals that he is a god and (presumably) that the company (of 276) needs to be supported.

Acts 28: 7-10
There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

Publius, the local governor, is rewarded for his kindness by the healing of his father, and after that, numerous others.

Acts 28: 11-14
After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island. It was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

Castor and Pollus are the twin stars in the constellation Gemini.  They were also the patron gods of sailors.  

"And so we came to Rome."  Paul has been aware for a long time, possibly five years, that God intended him to speak before Caesar.

Acts 28: 15-20
The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: "My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar--not that I had any charge to bring against my own  people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you.  It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."

In verse 15, Luke uncharacteristically records that "Paul ... was encouraged" as if Paul had been struggling previously.  It is likely that at the beginning of this chapter, Paul is worn out and quite discouraged.  He has been in chains for some time and his missionary trips have been halted by the Jews and Romans.  He is in a strange and new country.  But even here he discovers that there are followers of Jesus and that these "brothers" are eager to see him!

Acts 28: 21-23

They replied, "We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of the brothers who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect."

They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.

The leaders in Jerusalem have apparently not forwarded their complaints about Paul and so the Jewish congregations in Rome are unaware of his "blasphemy".  Like Jesus, Paul speaks of the kingdom of God as a current (not just future) kingdom.

Acts 28: 24-28

Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: `Go to this people and say, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly  hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.  Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' 

"Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!"

The quote in verse 27 is from Isaiah 6:9-10.  Paul continues to remind his Jewish family that the (unclean) Gentiles are responding!

From the NIV footnotes: some manuscripts add at the end of verse 29 the sentence "After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves."

Acts 28: 30-31

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The book ends suddenly, upbeat but without a conclusion.  Why?  The book of Acts is about as long as the book of Luke; both were apparently the length one might write if carefully filling out a papyrus scroll.  So it is likely that Luke has run out of room to write.  Is it also possible that Luke has run out of time, having caught the account up to date?  The last verse gives a hint of confident direction; Paul has arrived at Rome and continues to preach.  Just as other rulers have heard of the Jewish Messiah, we can assume that Caesar will also!  Although there is no record of that testimony Paul's letters (to the Philippians, see 4:22) gives greetings from disciples even in Caesar's household.  Caesar (Emperor Nero) may not be receptive to the Messiah but there are followers of the Jewish carpenter living around him.

Acts 27: 27-44, Storm Conclusion

Paul, as prisoner, and Luke, a member of Paul's missionary team, are in a dangerous storm in the Mediterranean, south of Italy.

Acts 27:27-37

On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved."

So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall away. Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. "For the last  fourteen days," he said, "you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food--you haven't eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head."

After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.

Paul's words are encouraging and his suggestion sensible.  

From the NIV footnotes: in verse 28 the distances are twenty orguias (about 37 meters) and fifteen orguias (about 27 meters.)  Luke gives precise details.

Acts 27: 38-44
Altogether there were 276 of us on board. When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea. When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at  the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck  fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.

The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of  them from swimming away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and kept them  from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety.

Luke, an eyewitness to this frightening scene, records considerable detail.  This includes the fact that someone has taken time to number the passengers before the impending disaster.

The centurion's respect for Paul is evident.  Paul has said that they will all get to shore alive and the centurion now intends to go with Paul's ideas and trust him. These years of imprisonment have given Paul many opportunities to live a consistent message, as a confident follower of the Jewish Messiah and so the centurion recognizes Paul's character.

Acts 27: 1-26, Shipwreck

Paul, in chains, is being sent to Rome, to speak before Caesar.

Acts 27: 1-5
When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us. The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of  Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia.

One can tell that Luke is traveling with Paul, not just because of the first-person "we", but because of the many nautical, geographical details. These are fresh memories to the writer.

Acts 27: 6-8
There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.

Traveling, whether by land or sea, was a dangerous and adventurous task in the first century.

Acts 27: 9-12

Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast. So Paul warned them,"Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also."

But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest. 

The Fast (verse 9) is the Jewish Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.  The season was getting deep into autumn and the concern is about stormy winter weather.  (A commentary on Acts by E. M. Blaiklock suggests that mid-September to mid-November was a stormy fall season across the Mediterranean and that after mid-November, sailing ceased.  F. F. Bruce believes this event occurred in 59 CE and that Yom Kippur was October 5.)

Acts 27: 13-20

When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.

Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the "northeaster," swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure. When the men had hoisted it aboard, they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along.

We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard.  On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

Luke provides fascinating detail of a first century ship desperately trying to handle a storm.

Acts 27: 21-26

After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: "Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss.  But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.

"Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, `Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of  all who sail with you.'

"So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that  it will happen just as he told me.  Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island."

Paul begins with a bit of "I told you so" and then goes on to reveal his encouraging vision that they will all survive the frightening storm.

Romans 13, Living on This Planet

Paul continues to give advice on practicing the theology he has laid out.

Romans 13:1-4, Submit to the government; be a good citizen
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For 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 he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 

The Church, the active "Kingdom of God" on earth, is not a political movement.  Paul lays this out in direct (and somewhat simplistic) terms.  Of course, this is in the letter going to the church in Rome, the seat of the vast empire that governs the Mediterranean.

In contrast to these verses, Christians have, from time to time, like Peter in Jerusalem (Acts 5:29), said "We must obey God rather than man" and refused to obey unjust laws.  Paul is concerned here with a more general principle: what in general should be a Christian's attitude about government?  In general, it is neither support nor opposition. It is submission, as the real work is elsewhere.

Romans 13:5-6, God-ordained structure

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 

Just as Jesus paid taxes (see Matthew 22:15-22), so to do Christians. Again, we are not really citizens of the local state but citizens of heaven, and thus mere visitors to this planet!

Romans 13:7-8, Love is good citizenship
Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 

Christians should, in general, be good citizens.

Romans 13:9-10, Love fulfills the law
The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 

The first quotes in verse 9 are from the Ten Commandments, appearing in Exodus 20:13-17 and Deuteronomy 5:17-21.  The final quote, the summary in verse 9, is form Leviticus 19:18 and was often repeated by Jesus.

Romans 13:11-14, Dawn approaches!
And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 

The 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. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 

The new kingdom is coming!  Even after two thousand years, Christians should still be preparing for that Dawn.