EVERY SOUL (πασα ψυχη). As in Romans 2:9; Acts 2:43. A Hebraism for πας ανθρωπος (every man).TO THE HIGHER POWERS (εξουσιαις υπερεχουσαις). Abstract for concrete. See Mark 2:10 for εξουσια. Hυπερεχω is an old verb to have or hold over, to be above or supreme, as in 1 Peter 2:13.EXCEPT BY GOD... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT RESISTETH (ο αντιτασσομενος). Present middle articular participle of αντιτασσω, old verb to range in battle against as in Acts 18:6, "he that lines himself up against."WITHSTANDETH (ανθεστηκεν). Perfect active indicative of ανθιστημ and intransitive, "has taken his stand against."THE OR... [ Continue Reading ]
A TERROR (φοβος). This meaning in Isaiah 8:13. Paul does not approve all that rulers do, but he is speaking generally of the ideal before rulers. Nero was Emperor at this time.FROM THE SAME (εξ αυτης). "From it" (εξουσια, personified in verse Romans 13:4).... [ Continue Reading ]
A MINISTER OF GOD (θεου διακονος). General sense of διακονος. Of course even Nero was God's minister "to thee (σο ethical dative) for good (εις το αγαθον, for the good)." That is the ideal, the goal.BEARETH (φορε). Present active indicative of φορεω, old frequentative form of φερω, to bear, to... [ Continue Reading ]
YE MUST NEEDS (αναγκη). "There is necessity," both because of the law and because of conscience, because it is right (Romans 2:15; Romans 9:1).... [ Continue Reading ]
YE PAY (τελειτε). Present active indicative (not imperative) of τελεω, to fulfil.TRIBUTE (φορους). Old word from φερω, to bring, especially the annual tax on lands, etc. (Luke 20:22; Luke 23:1). Paying taxes recognizes authority over us.MINISTERS OF GOD'S SERVICE (λειτουργο θεου). Late word fo... [ Continue Reading ]
DUES (οφειλας). Debts, from οφειλω, to owe. Often so in the papyri, though not in Greek authors. In N.T. only here, Matthew 18:32; 1 Corinthians 7:3. Paying debts needs emphasis today, even for ministers.TO WHOM TRIBUTE IS DUE (τω τον φορον). We must supply a participle with the article τω like... [ Continue Reading ]
SAVE TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER (ε μη το αλληλους αγαπαιν). "Except the loving one another." This articular infinitive is in the accusative case the object of οφειλετε and partitive apposition with μηδεν (nothing). This debt can never be paid off, but we should keep the interest paid up.HIS NEIGHBOUR... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS (το γαρ). For the article (το) pointing to a sentence see Romans 8:26, here to the quotation. The order of the commandments here is like that in Luke 18:20; James 2:11 and in B for Romans 13:5, but different from that of the Hebrew in Romans 13:20; Romans 13:5. The use of ου with the vol... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FULFILMENT OF THE LAW (πληρωμα νομου). "The filling up or complement of the law" like πεπληρωκεν (perfect active indicative of πληροω, stands filled up) in verse Romans 13:8. See Romans 13:1 for the fuller exposition of this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS (κα τουτο). Either nominative absolute or accusative of general reference, a common idiom for "and that too" (1 Corinthians 6:6; 1 Corinthians 6:8, etc.).KNOWING (ειδοτες). Second perfect active participle, nominative plural without a principal verb. Either we must supply a verb like π... [ Continue Reading ]
IS FAR SPENT (προεκοψεν). First aorist active indicative of προκοπτω, to cut forward, to advance, old word for making progress. See Luke 2:52; Galatians 1:14; 2 Timothy 2:16; 2 Timothy 3:9.IS AT HAND (ηγγικεν). Perfect active indicative, "has drawn nigh." Vivid picture for day-break.LET US THER... [ Continue Reading ]
HONESTLY (ευσχημονως). Paul is fond of the metaphor "walk" (περιπατεω), 33 times though not in the Pastoral Epistles. This old adverb (from ευσχημων, graceful) occurs also in 1 Thessalonians 4:12; 1 Corinthians 14:40. The English word "honest" means honourable (Latin _honor_) and so decent. Wycli... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT YE ON (ενδυσασθε). The same metaphor as in verse Romans 13:12. The Lord Jesus Christ is the garment that we all need. See Galatians 3:27 with baptism as the symbol.PROVISION (προνοιαν). Old word for forethought (from προνοος). In N.T. only here and Acts 24:2.FOR THE FLESH (της σαρκος). Ob... [ Continue Reading ]