CHAPTER XIII. _Subjection to civil governors inculcated, from the consideration_ _that civil government is according to the ordinance of God; and_ _that those who resist the lawfully constituted authorities_ _shall receive condemnation_, 1, 2. _And those who are obedient shall receive praise_,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 13:2. _WHOSOEVER RESISTETH THE POWER_] ο αντιτασσομενος, He who sets himself in _order_ against this _order_ of God; τη του θεου διαταγη, and _they who resist_, οι ανθεστηκοτες, they who obstinately, and for no right reason, oppose the ruler, and strive to unsettle the constitution, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 13:3. _FOR RULERS ARE NOT A TERROR TO GOOD WORKS_] Here the apostle shows the civil magistrate what he should be: he is clothed with great power, but that power is entrusted to him, not for the terror and oppression of the upright man, but to overawe and punish the wicked. It is, in a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 13:4. _FOR HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD TO THEE FOR GOOD_] Here the apostle puts the character of the ruler in the strongest possible light. _He is the minister of God_-the office is by Divine appointment: the man who is worthy of the office will act in conformity to the will of God: and a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 13:5. _YE MUST NEEDS BE SUBJECT_] αναγκη, There is a necessity that ye should be subject, not only for wrath, δια την οργην, on _account of the punishment_ which will be inflicted on evil doers, _but also for conscience' sake_; not only to avoid punishment, but also to preserve a clear... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 13:6. _FOR THIS CAUSE PAY YE TRIBUTE ALSO_] Because civil government is an order of God, and the ministers of state must be at considerable expense in providing for the safety and defence of the community, it is necessary that those in whose behalf these expenses are incurred should de... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 13:7. _RENDER THEREFORE TO ALL THEIR DUES_] This is an extensive command. Be rigidly just; withhold neither from the _king_ nor his _ministers_, nor his _officers_ of _justice_ and _revenue_, nor from even the lowest of the _community_, what the laws of God and your country require you... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 13:8. _OWE NO MAN ANY THING, BUT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER_] In the preceding verses the apostle has been showing the duty, reverence, and obedience, which all Christians, from the highest to the lowest, owe to the civil magistrate; whether he be emperor, king, proconsul, or other state offi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 13:9. _FOR THIS, THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY_] He that loves another will not deprive him of his _wife_, of his _life_, of his _property_, of his _good name_; and will not even permit a _desire_ to enter into his heart which would lead him to wish to possess any thing that is the pro... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 13:10. _LOVE WORKETH NO ILL_] As he that loves another will act towards that person as, on a reverse of circumstances, he would that his neighbour should act towards him; therefore, this love can never work ill towards another: and, on this _head_, i.e. the duty we owe to our neighbour,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 13:11. _AND THAT, KNOWING THE TIME_] Dr. Taylor has given a judicious paraphrase of this and the following verses: "And all the duties of a virtuous and holy life we should the more carefully and zealously perform, considering the nature and shortness of the present season of life; whic... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 13:12. _THE NIGHT IS FAR SPENT_] If we understand this in reference to the _heathen_ state of the Romans, it may be paraphrased thus: _The night is far spent_-heathenish darkness is nearly at an end. _The day is at hand_-the full manifestation of the Sun of righteousness, in the illumi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 13:13. _LET US WALK HONESTLY, AS IN THE DAY_] _Let us walk_, ευσχημονες, _decently_, from εν, _well_, and σχημα, _mien,_ _habit_, or _dress_. Let our deportment be decent, orderly, and grave; such as we shall not be ashamed of in the eyes of the whole world. _NOT IN RIOTING, AND DRUNKE... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 13:14. _PUT YE ON THE LORD JESUS_] This is in reference to what is said, Romans 13:13: _Let us put on decent garments_-let us make a different profession, unite with other company, and maintain that profession by a suitable conduct. _Putting on_, or _being clothed_ with Jesus Christ, si... [ Continue Reading ]