EVERY SOUL. — A Hebraism for “every person,” though at the same time here, as in Romans 2:9, there is a slight stress upon the fact that man is a conscious and intelligent being, capable of moral relations, and it is especially with reference to these relations that the phrase is used. HIGHER POWER... [ Continue Reading ]
XIII. (1-7) SUBJECT UNTO THE HIGHER POWERS. — Looking impartially at the passage which follows, it would seem at first sight — and perhaps not only at first sight — that the Apostle distinctly preaches two doctrines, both of which are now discredited, the doctrines of divine right and of passive ob... [ Continue Reading ]
DAMNATION. — _Condemnation_ — _i.e.,_ the sentence passed upon him by the judge or magistrate as God’s representative.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO GOOD WORKS. — Literally, _to the good work,_ as if it were personified. Human law can only take account of that which is actually done, not of the intention. In this and the following verse it is clearly the ideal aspect of the magistracy that the Apostle has in view. So Bishop Butler, in the par... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SWORD. — Not apparently the dagger worn by the Roman emperors, but, in a strict sense, “the sword.” “To bear the sword” seems to be a recognised Greek phrase to express the power of the magistrates. It was carried before them in processions, and on other important occasions. It is clear from th... [ Continue Reading ]
It follows, from this divine authority and title enjoyed by the magistrate, that he ought to be obeyed, not only from fear of the punishment that he is empowered to inflict, but also from the respect due to legitimate power. Of this respect conscience is the natural guardian.... [ Continue Reading ]
MINISTERS. — The words thus translated here and in Romans 13:4 are not the same, but both are words commonly used in the New Testament of a sacred office; that in Romans 13:4 is the original of our word “deacon,” that used in this verse is (in another form) the original of our word “liturgy.” The ch... [ Continue Reading ]
TRIBUTE. — Rather, _taxes_ — _i.e.,_ taxes upon person or property as opposed to the customs levied upon goods. These were collected by different officers. FEAR... HONOUR. — There would be one class of officers who could claim respect for their official position, though they had no special means of... [ Continue Reading ]
OWE NO MAN ANYTHING. — The word for “owe” in this verse corresponds to that for “dues” in the last. The transition of the thought is something of this kind. When you have paid all your other debts, taxes, and customs, and reverence, and whatever else you may owe, there will still be one debt unpaid... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY. — It will be seen that in this arrangement the seventh commandment precedes the sixth. The same arrangement is found in Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20, and James 2:11. On the other hand, the ordinary arrangement appears in Matthew 19:18. There can be no doubt that St. Paul fo... [ Continue Reading ]
FULFILLING OF THE LAW. — The form of the Greek word implies not only that love helps a man to fulfil the law, but that in the fact of the presence of love in his heart the law is actually fulfilled. The principle here stated is beautifully worked out in 1 Corinthians 13:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THAT, KNOWING THE TIME. — And that there is all the more urgent motive for you to do — this law of love it is the more incumbent on you to practise — because you know what a critical moment it is in which you are living. The word for “time” is different from that used in the next clause, and mea... [ Continue Reading ]
(11-14) The Apostle now gives a reason for enforcing this and other duties upon his readers. The end of the world itself is near. St. Paul, like the other Apostles (comp. 1 Peter 4:7; Revelation 22:20, _et al._)_,_ certainly believed that the _Parusia,_ or Second Coming of Christ, was near at hand.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NIGHT. — The time during which the Messiah is absent from His people is compared to night. He is the sun. whose coming converts it to day. It is rather strange that here, as in 1 Thessalonians 5:8, the metaphor of night and day should suggest that of “armour.” The warfare in which the Christian... [ Continue Reading ]
HONESTLY. — _Decorously, becomingly,_ as men do when their actions are seen. It is interesting to know that this verse, happening to catch the eye of St. Augustine, had a great effect in leading to his baptism and change of life.... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT YE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. — A continuation of the metaphor introduced in Romans 13:12. So invest and identify yourselves with the spirit of Christ as to reproduce it in your outward walk and conduct. MAKE NOT PROVISION FOR THE FLESH. — Take no thought for the flesh, so as to supply a stimulu... [ Continue Reading ]