Log inSign up

Favor · the best way to learn the Bible

Romans 13 Bible study: Put on the Lord Jesus Christ

Romans 13 goes from "Therefore give everyone what you owe" (13:7) straight to "Owe no one anything, except to love one another" (13:8). And it uses one verb twice near its end: "let’s put on the armor of light" (13:12), and "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (13:14).

Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the words behind the words, what most readers miss, and how it all leads to Jesus.

Read Romans 13 with FavorWhat is Favor?

First week free, then $10 a month per person

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.”
Romans 13:14 · World English Bible

Try it · Did you catch it?

“Right after saying to give everyone what you owe, Romans 13 says to owe no one anything, except to love one another.”

Is that in Romans 13, or not? Make your call.

What's really going on

Let every soul be in subjection

In the text

The chapter opens, "Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God." (13:1) (tap subjection). It goes on, "Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment." (13:2), and "For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority, for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil." (13:3-4). Then it gives two reasons side by side: "Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake." (13:5) (tap conscience). Favor's introduction to Romans gives this whole chapter as one part of the letter, Owe no one anything, except to love. These notes quote 13:1-7 as the WEB has them, explain them only from their own words and the lexicons, and apply none of them to any ruler, government, law or person, past or present.

Honest questions

Questions people ask about Romans 13

That was a taste

The rest of Romans 13 is waiting in Favor

  • What you owe, and owe no one
  • Summed up in this saying
  • The night is far gone
  • Set beside this chapter elsewhere in Favor
  • Questions asked elsewhere
  • 9 questions as you read
  • 10 more Greek words
  • A short check at the end
  • Your notes, saved as you go
Read the whole chapter

First week free, then $10 a month per person

The Greek word behind it

ἐνδύωenduosay en-DOO-o

Strong's: "to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively)". "let’s put on the armor of light" (13:12), and "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (13:14): behind put on both times is this verb. Romans has it only in these two verses, and the New Testament 28 times (counted in RP2018), often of ordinary clothes: "nor yet for your body, what you will wear" (Matthew 6:25), where wear is this verb.

For your group

Romans 13 Bible study questions

  1. 1"Owe no one anything, except to love one another" (13:8). What would it look like this week to treat love as something you owe someone?
  2. 2"it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep" (13:11). The next verse says, "Let’s therefore throw off the deeds of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light." (13:12). What would one step of that look like in an ordinary week?
  3. 3"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (13:14). What might putting on the Lord Jesus Christ look like for you this week?

Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads Romans 13 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.

Start a Bible study
Free quizTake the Romans 13 quizQuestions with the answers explained, for your group or your familyFree printablePrint this Bible studyOne page: the chapter, the verse, and the questions with room to write

Did we miss something?

We're a small team, and we can make mistakes. If something here looks wrong or unclear, tell us and we'll check it against the text.

Tell us

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

The best way to study the Bible.

Your small group or your church can use Favor for Bible study, or you can read by yourself.

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions

What is Favor?

Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.

How much does it cost?

Your first week is free. After that it's $10 a month per person, the same for everyone, including groups and churches. There are no tiers and nothing extra to unlock.

Can I read Romans 13 straight away?

Yes. Romans 13 is open from your first day.

Do I need a group?

No. Many people read on their own. If you'd like to read with others, start a Bible study and share one link. Everyone's answers stay private until you meet.

I've never really read the Bible. Is this for me?

Yes. Favor starts where you are and explains as it goes. The questions along the way aren't marked right or wrong: you answer, then see what the text shows.

Which Bible does Favor use?

The World English Bible, a modern, readable translation in the public domain. God's name appears as "the LORD", as in most English Bibles.

Is Favor tied to a church?

No. Favor is non-denominational. Where Christians read a passage differently, it shows the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.

Start with Romans 13

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

All Bible study guides

Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home