1 Let every soul be subject to the supreme powers. For there is no power if not of God (God is in control. The higher powers are governments. Is our government perfect? No, but our government is ordained of God and subject to His control. It is exactly as God wants it to be. Obey civil law. They protect your rights.): the powers that be are ordained of God. (For His purposes, prophecy. See Acts 13:48)
2 Whosoever therefore resists the power, withstand the ordinance of God (see Acts 13:48): and they that withstand shall receive to themselves damnation. (They will end up in court.)
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Desire you not then to fear the power? do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same: (They will protect you. Rulers don't bother those that operate within the law. There is no reason to fear them, if you aren't breaking the law.)
4 For he is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he wears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a avenger for wrath to the one that practices evil. (God has set up the rulers. He want to run our government. Break the law, and God Himself supports the rulers that will put you in jail. Obey civil law.)
5 Wherefore you must needs be subject, not only for the wrath (to avoid), but also on account of the conscience.
6 For for this cause you pay tribute also (tax as paid by those of another state or country): for they are God's ministers, persevering upon this very thing. (Keeping order. Pay your taxes. Those taxes support those that protect our rights and freedoms.)
7 Render to all the dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom (that which is paid for public ends.); fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Give every one their due, good or bad. However, do not put up with over taxation.)
8 Owe no one any thing, if not to love the other: for he that loves the other has fulfilled the law. (If it be possible. There isn't one government in the world that doesn't have God's attention. You should keep up with world events, but don't ever forget God controls world events.)
9 For this, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet;" and if there be any other commandment, it is summed in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (if it be possible.)
10 Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is fulfillment of law. (Love never wrong in anything. Love is the strongest force in the world.)
11 And that, knowing the season, that now it is high time to be awakened out of sleep (wake up to the truth of God): for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is advanced (see Luke 2:52. Gal. 1:14. 2 Tim. 2:16; 3:9,13), the day is draw near: let us therefore cast off (see Act 7:58) the works of the darkness (Satan. cp. Eph. 5:11. Col. 1:13), and let us put on the armor of the light. (The clothing of Christ, the Gospel Armor. See John 1:4, and cp. 2 Cor. 6:7)
13 Let us walk decently, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness (Gal. 5:11. 1 Pet. 4:3), not in fighting and lasciviousness (jealousy, see Mark 7:22. 2 Cor. 12:21. Gal. 5:19. Eph. 4:19. 1 Pet. 4:3. 2 Pet. 2:7, 18. Jude 4), not in strife and envying.
14 But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision (see Acts 24:2) for the flesh (i.e. the old nature), to fulfill the lusts thereof. (It makes a mighty warrior out of you for that which is right.)