_OF SUBJECTION, AND THE MANY OTHER DUTIES THAT WE OWE TO THE MAGISTRATES. LOVE IS THE FULFILLING OF THE LAW. GLUTTONY AND DRUNKENNESS, AND THE WORKS OF DARKNESS ARE REPROVED AND CONDEMNED._ _Anno Domini 58._ BECAUSE God had chosen the Jews for his subjects, and as their king had dictated to them... [ Continue Reading ]
_ROMANS 13:1_. This epistle was written about the fourth year of the emperor Nero, about six years after Claudius had expelled the Jews from Rome. It is not improbable, that, as Suetonius relates in the Life of Claudius, this was occasioned by the tumultuous disposition of the Jews, in one shape or... [ Continue Reading ]
RESISTETH THE POWER— The word ο αντιτασσομενος, in the most direct import of it, signifies "one who sets himself as it were in array against," and may possibly allude to the word τεταγμεναι, _ranged_ or _marshalled_ by God, used in the former verse. The word rendered _damnation,_ is κριμα, and would... [ Continue Reading ]
RULERS ARE NOT A TERROR TO GOOD WORKS— _To the well-doer,_ τω αγαθοεργω. See Junius in Wetstein. Heylin renders the passage,_—to those who do well, but to those who do ill._ If circumstances arise to which the argument in this verse is not applicable, it is reasonably to be taken for granted, that t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE BEARETH NOT THE SWORD IN VAIN— This strongly intimates the lawfulness of inflicting capital punishments; to deny which, is in effectsubverting the chief use of magistrates; though sanguinary laws should be as much as possible avoided. Bengelius reads the first clause of this verse, _For he is... [ Continue Reading ]
TRIBUTE TO WHOM TRIBUTE— The Jews had a favourite notion among them, that, as the peculiar people of God, they were exempted from obligations to pay tribute to Gentiles; against which notion this passage is directly levelled, though without pointing them out in any invidious manner. The word Φοβον,... [ Continue Reading ]
NEARER THAN WHEN WE BELIEVED— _Than when we declared our belief._ Markland. _Than when we declared the faith._ Heylin. It seems by this and the following verse, says Mr. Locke, as if St. Paul looked upon Christ's coming as not far off; to which there are several other concurrent passages in his Epis... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ARMOUR OF LIGHT— Beza observes very justly, that the sense of οπλα, _armour,_ is very extensive, and comprehends any accoutrements of the body. Hence it evidently signifies _dress:_ and the Apostle's meaning will be obscured, if it be not so translated. _"Put on the dress_ and ornaments of that... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US WALK HONESTLY— 'Ευσχημονως, _honourably,_ or _gracefully._ Dr. Milner renders the passage, _Let us walk with a grace._ The word for _chambering_ is κοιταις, which Leigh explains of _lying long in bed._ It implies effeminacy and luxury of that kind. The word ασελγεια, rendered _wantonness,_ pr... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT YE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST— A strong expression for endeavouring to be clothed, through divine grace, with allthe virtues and graces which compose his character. It is observable, that the Apostle does not say, "Put on purity, sobriety, benevolence, &c." But he in effect says all at once, in sa... [ Continue Reading ]