Romans 13 - Introduction

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 a system of laws, and had governed them anciently in person, and afterwards by princes of his own nomination, they reckoned it impiety to submit to heathen laws and rulers. In the same light, they viewed the paying of taxes for the support of the heathen governments, Matthew 22:17. In short, the zealots of that nation laid it down as a principle, that they would obey God alone, as their king and governor, in opposition to Caesar, and all kings whatever who were not of their religion, and who did not govern them by the laws of Moses.

This turbulent disposition, some of the Jews who embraced the Gospel did not immediately lay aside: and even of the believing Gentiles, there were a few, who, on pretence that they had a sufficient rule of conduct in the spiritual gifts withwhich they were endowed, affirmed that they were under no obligation to obey ordinances imposed by idolaters, nor to pay taxes for the support of idolatrous governments. In that persuasion, they also refused to the heathen magistrates that honour and obedience, to which, by their office, they were entitled from all who lived under their government. But these principles and practices occasioning the Gospel to be evil spoken of, the Apostle judged it necessary, in his letter to the Romans, to inculcate the duties which subjects owe to magistrates; and to testify to them, that the disciples of Christ were not exempted from obedience to the wholesome laws, even of the heathen countries where they lived, nor from contributing to the support of the government by which they were protected, although it was administered by idolaters. Withal, having inscribed this letter to the unbelieving as well as to the believing inhabitants of Rome, the brethren were thereby directed, for the vindication of their religion, to shew the copies which they took of it to such of the heathens as were willing to read it.

This admirable part of his letter, the Apostle began with exhorting every one to obey the government of the country where he lives, whether it be established by the express consent of the people, or by their acquiescence, or by long usage; founding his exhortation on the following principle: That God having formed mankind for living in society, and some government being absolutelynecessary for maintaining order and peace among the associated, whatever form of government happens to be established in any country, is authorized of God, and is subordinate to his general government of the world, Romans 13:1.—Civil government, therefore, being authorized of God, he who resists the established exercise of it in any country, on pretence that the persons holding the reins of government have no just title to do so, or on pretence that they profess a false religion, and exercise their power in supporting error, really resists the ordinance of God; and all who do so, bring on themselves just condemnation, both from God and men, Romans 13:2.—On the other hand, magistrates, being servants of God, for good to the people, ought, agreeably to the end of their office, to exercise their power for the welfare of their subjects, by punishing none but evil-doers, and by protecting and encouraging all who obey the wholesome laws of the state, whatever religion they may profess, Romans 13:4.—It was therefore necessary for the brethren to obey the heathen magistrates, in all things consistent with their duty to God; not only to avoid punishment, but from a principle of conscience, Romans 13:5.—And that the rulers might be honourably maintained, and the government effectually supported; the Apostle ordered tax, and custom, and tribute, to be paid, as well as that fear or respect, which is due to rulers, on account of their office, Romans 13:6.—In this, I suppose the Apostle had the Jews in his eye, who held it unlawful to pay tribute to Caesar; yet what he says being general, and applicable to all who enjoy the protection of government, it could give the Jews no just offence. Lastly, The disciples of Christ, as members of society, are to owe no man any thing, except to love one another, because love leads to the performance of every social duty, and prevents all manner of injuries and crimes, Romans 13:8.

It deserves both notice and praise, that in explaining to the inhabitants of Rome their duty as citizens, the Apostle has shewn the finest address. For while he seemed only to plead the cause of the magistrate with the people, he tacitly conveyed the most wholesome instruction to the heathen rulers, who he knew were too proud to receive advice from teachers of his character and nation. For, by telling rulers that they are the servants of God for good to the people, he taught them the purpose of their office, and shewed them, that their sole aim in executing it ought to be, to promote the happiness of their people; and that as soon as they lost sight of this, their government degenerates into tyranny. Moreover, by establishing the office and power of magistrates on their proper foundation, and by teachingthe people to obey their rulers from conscience, he made such of the heathens as read his letter, sensible that the Gospel nourishes no rebellious principles in its disciples; that it does not meddle with the political constitution of any state, on pretence of mending it; and that it enjoins subjects, in things not sinful, to obey their rulers, whateverthe form of government is, under which they act. Such a discourse concerning obedience to laws and magistrates, was addressed to the Roman brethren with peculiar propriety, because they had been banished from Rome with the Jews, by the emperor Claudius, under the pretence of tumultuous behaviour, and were but lately returned.—The Apostle, however, gave the same directions to other churches, Titus 3:1 as did St. Peter likewise, 1 Peter 2:13.; from which we may learn how turbulent the Jews were in all the heathen countries, and how anxious the Christian teachers were, to have their disciples free from blame in every respect.

In what follows, the Apostle earnestly recommended to the Romans the duties of temperance and chastity, because, in their heathen state, they had been extremely deficient in these virtues. And that his exhortation might make the deeper impression, he compared their former ignorance, from which their lewdness and intemperance had proceeded, to the darkness of night; and opposed thereto the knowledge which the Gospel had imparted to them, likening it to the light of day, springing up after a long dark night, and graduallyadvancing to meridian brightness. And the heathens lying in that ignorance, he compared to persons in a deep sleep, because they were as incapable of performing the rational functions of men, as persons arewho sleep in the intoxication of drunkenness, Romans 13:11.

The precepts in this and the preceding chapter do great honour to the Gospel, and to its ministers. They shew us, that instead of contracting men's affections, and limiting them to their own pale, the Gospel enlarges their hearts, so as to embrace the whole humanrace,notexcludingtheirveryenemies:thatit cherishes no rebellious principles in its disciples, but enjoins obedience to superiors from a regard to conscience; and that it allures no proselytes, by the prospect of criminal sensual pleasures of any kind.