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He having said, in the latter end of the foregoing chapter, that Christians must not avenge themselves, but refer all to God, who says, that vengeance is his, and he will repay it; some might infer from hence, that it was not lawful for magistrates to right the wronged, and avenge them of their adversaries; or for Christians to make use of them to such a purpose; therefore, to set us right in this matter, he falls into the following discourse. Considering," 1. Do not spend that upon yourselves, which you owe to others." 1. What we have we have as stewards; others have an interest in it, and must have their dues. Know the time to be a busy time; we have a great deal of work to do, and our Master is calling us to it again and again. Commentary on Romans 15:8-13 (Read Romans 15:8-13) Christ fulfilled the prophecies and promises relating to the Jews, and the Gentile converts could have no excuse for despising them. It may be said to be more distinctly and peculiarly derived from Him than other parts of the order of nature, inasmuch as it is the channel used to convey His moral approbation, or the reverse. Love is a debt. 3:9) as a man is found in his clothes; put on the priestly garments of the elder brother, that in them you may obtain the blessing. Subject to the governing authorities: The connection between Romans 12 and Romans 13is clear. However the persons themselves may be wicked, and of those vile persons whom the citizen of Zion contemneth (Ps. Surely we serve a good master, that has summed up all our duty in one word, and that a short word and a sweet word—love, the beauty and harmony of the universe. Of justice (v. 7): Render therefore to all their dues, especially to magistrates, for this refers to what goes before; and likewise to all with whom we have to do. Magistrates are in a more peculiar manner God’s servants; the dignity they have calls for duty. They should praise God. Not in chambering and wantonness; not in any of those lusts of the flesh, those works of darkness, which are forbidden in the seventh commandment. Loving and being loved is all the pleasure, joy, and happiness, of an intelligent being. 1. Magistrates are here again and again called God’s ministers. We are here taught a lesson of justice and charity. 4:3), high time indeed, for behold the bridegroom cometh." John Darby’s Synopsis; The Geneva Study Bible; John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible; Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown; B. W. Johnson’s Bible Commentary ; Martin Luther’s Bible Commentary; Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete) Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary (concise) Wesley’s Explanatory Notes; Romans 13 audio bible; Footnotes 13:9 Exodus 20:13 … His informants at Rome may have told him of excitement prevailing among the Jewish portion of the community. it may be the lot of the best saints to be envied and striven with; but to strive and to envy ill becomes the disciples and followers of the peaceable and humble Jesus. But of God - By God's permission, or appointment; by the arrangements of his providence, by which those in office had obtained their power. He specifies, 1. In this section of Christian teaching there was something that was temporary and local, and that had reference to conditions that have now passed away. Says Mar Ukba, there are two daughters which cry out of hell, and say in this world, give, give, and they are heresy, "and the civil power". The eternal happiness we chose for our portion is now nearer to us than it was when we became Christians. It became, therefore, a question of great importance and difficulty, "what kind" of allegiance they were to render to earthly magistrates. Moreover, after this manner they explain (w) Proverbs 5:8, ""remove thy way far from her", this is heresy; "and come not nigh the door of her house", , "this is the power". "They are higher powers; be content they should be so, and submit to them accordingly." From the intention of magistracy: Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil, etc. Where there are riot and drunkenness, there usually are chambering and wantonness, and strife and envy. There are other inferior powers, which are also of God, as parents, masters, &c.; but of these he doth not speak in this place. On another occasion, when a question was asked as to the legitimacy of the Roman tribute, He replied in words already quoted, “Render to Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s, and to God the things which are God’s.” And, lastly, when appeal was made to Him to settle a disputed inheritance, He refused, saying to His petitioner, “Man, who made Me a judge or a divider over you?” Here we have really the key to the whole question. The least show of resistance or sedition in a Christian would soon be aggravated and improved, and would be very prejudicial to the whole society; and therefore they had more need than others to be exact in their subjection, that those who had so much occasion against them in the matter of their God might have no other occasion. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. 82:6), because they bear the image of God’s authority. They say (x), that, "no man is made a governor below, except they proclaim him above;''. but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God—"have been ordained of God. See 1 Jn. Such is the power of sin and corruption that many will not be restrained from the greatest enormities, and such as are most pernicious to human society, by any regard to the law of God and nature or the wrath to come; but only by the fear of temporal punishments, which the wilfulness and perverseness of degenerate mankind have made necessary. In the first verse of the foregoing chapter the body was put for the whole man; here, the soul; and when he says every person, it is plain that ecclesiastical persons are not exempted. This is not walking as in the day; for those that are drunk are drunk in the night, 1 Th. The duty enjoined: Let every soul be subject. Verses 1-7. On this is built that golden rule of doing as we would be done by. a. 4:20. This is the lesson the apostle teaches, and it becomes all Christians to learn and practise it, that the godly in the land may be found (whatever others are) the quiet and the peaceable in the land. As the killing of an inferior magistrate, while he is actually doing his duty, is accounted treason against the prince, so the resisting of any magistrates in the discharge of these duties of their place is the resisting of an ordinance of God. But supposing the magistrate calls upon the subject to do that which some other authority co-ordinate with that of the magistrate forbids—supposing, for instance, as in the case of Hampden, under a constitutional monarchy, the king commands one thing, and the Parliament another—there is clearly a conflict of obligations, and the decision which accepts the one obligation is not necessarily wrong because it ignores the other. The "principles" on which Christians should act are settled in this chapter. (1) Now he distinctly shows what subjects owe to their magistrates, that is, obedience: from which he shows that no man is free: and the obedience we owe is such that it is not only due to the highest magistrate himself, but also even to the lowest, who has any office under him. The dominion of the Messiah was to be not a spiritual, but a literal dominion, in which they, as a people, were to share. For - The apostle gives a "reason" why Christians should be subject; and that reason is, that magistrates have received their appointment from God. We are in the midst of enemies and snares. This proves that love is the fulfilling of the law, answers all the end of it; for what else is that but to restrain us from evil-doing, and to constrain us to well-doing? 23:29, etc. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. God will reckon with them for it, because the resistance reflects upon him. It would seem as if by some intuitive perception the disciples entered into the intention of their Master. Be not careful about the body." This subjection must be limited only to lawful things; otherwise, we must answer as they did, Acts 4:19: or as Polycarpus did; when he was required to blaspheme Christ, and swear by the fortune of Caesar, he peremptorily refused, and said: We are taught to give honour to princes and potentates, but such honour as is not contrary to true religion. Not that our consciences are to be subjected to the will of any man. Thus the same thing may be done from a very different principle. of magistrates), for they do not suffer a man to come near them, but in necessity, and then they appear as friends for their own advantage, but will not stand by a man in the time of distress.''. Doubtless, he here intends also to repress the vain curiosity and agitation with which men are prone to inquire into the "titles" of their rulers; to guard them from the agitation and conflicts of party, and of contentions to establish a favorite on the throne. Be subject - Submit. The necessities of the body must be considered, but the lusts of it must not be gratified. the duty of Christians towards the civil government and the laws of the country in which they lived. 18:7. Romans 13 Bible Commentary. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, v. 14. The very mention of the Messiah would tend to fan their smouldering passions into flame. that is, with a magistrate, which oftentimes is dangerous. Let us do it in truth and sincerity. The authorities that exist have been established by God. First, As a holy God, that hates sin, against which, as it appears and puts up its head, a public testimony is thus borne. It is not for nothing that God hath put such a power into the magistrate’s hand; but it is intended for the restraining and suppressing of disorders. And going back to the fountain-head of Christian doctrine, we find, indeed, no express statements, but several significant facts and some important intimations. "Owe no man anything"-"Leave no debt unpaid" (Wey). With these feelings they had become Christians; and it was natural that their former sentiments should exert an influence on them after their conversion. The exceptions to this principle are few and far between. Mark Dunagan Commentary on the Bible. '', ""the horse leech hath two daughters, crying, give, give", Proverbs 30:15, it is asked, what is the meaning of give, give? The Church at Rome was largely composed of Jews, and these would naturally be imbued with the fanatical spirit of their countrymen. But pity it is that ever this gracious intention should be perverted, and that those who bear the sword, while they countenance and connive at sin, should be a terror to those who do well. But so it is, when the vilest men are exalted (Ps. [2.] 19:11), the divine providence being in a special manner conversant about those changes and revolutions of governments which have such an influence upon states and kingdoms, and such a multitude of particular persons and smaller communities. "—Pay you tribute, phorous seleite. Those that tarry long at the wine (v. 30) have contentions and wounds without cause (v. 29) and their eyes behold strange women, v. 33. The powers that be are ordained of God: this passage is an exemplification of the former. Thou hast the benefit and advantage of the government, and therefore must do what thou canst to preserve it, and nothing to disturb it." Bible > Bible Commentary; John Darby’s Synopsis; Romans; Romans 13; John Darby’s Synopsis << Romans 12 | Romans 13 | Romans 14 >> (Read all of Romans 13) Among themselves Christians are exhorted not to seek the high things of this world, but to walk as brethren with those of low degree: a precept too much forgotten in the assembly of God-to her loss. 1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. And, since the certain natural course of things is the conduct of Providence or the government of God, though carried on by the instrumentality of men, the observation here made amounts to this, that mankind find themselves placed by Him in such circumstances as that they are unavoidably accountable for their behaviour, and are often punished and sometimes rewarded under His government in the view of their being mischievous or eminently beneficial to society.” In other words, the machinery of civil society is one of the chief and most conspicuous instruments by which God carries out His own moral government of mankind in this present existence. Mark Dunagan Commentary on the Bible. Hence devising iniquity is called working evil upon the bed, Mic. The law of God and the interest of mankind make it so. By higher powers, he means the supreme powers; so the word is rendered, 1 Peter 2:13. The whole law is written in the heart, if the law of love be there. (1.) The Gentiles, being brought into the church, are companions in patience and tribulation. When men are become such beasts, such ravenous beasts, one to another, they must be dealt with accordingly, taken and destroyed in terrorem—to deter others. From exhorting the believers at Rome to a life of entire devotedness to God, and the various duties of brotherly kindness, the apostle now proceeds to inculcate upon them that subjection and obedience which they owed to their civil rulers, and those duties of justice and benevolence which were due from them to all men. Romans 13New International Version (NIV) Submission to Governing Authorities 13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,for there is no authority except that which God has established. See on set under authority, Luke 7:8. How to dress ourselves. Those who profess to walk in the spirit must not fulfil the lusts of the flesh, Gal. And, lastly, He finally submitted to the civil power, as the instrument divinely employed to inflict upon Him those sufferings which were to be the cause of our redemption. The answer, “Render to Cæsar,” &c., left matters precisely as they stood, for the real question was, “What was Cæsar’s, and what was not?” The ambiguity of the reply was intended. Romans 13:7 mentions two of these public debts. It is high time to awake, for the Philistines are upon us; our neighbour’s house is on fire, and our own in danger. Unto the higher powers: though he speaks of things, he means persons; and he calls them rulers in Romans 13:3, whom he calls powers in this verse. To compass and imagine are treason begun. Our Lord was born when his mother went to be taxed; and he enjoined the payment of tribute to Caesar. Mark Dunagan Commentary on the Bible. 5:8, Walk as children of light. God invented and devised this order, that some should rule, and others obey; and he maintaineth and upholdeth it. Others think, that the apostle having spoken in several places concerning Christians’ liberty, lest what he had said should be misconstrued, as if he meant that Christians were freed from subjection to the powers that were over them, he seasonably insists upon the doctrine and duty of obedience to authority; which point is more fully handled in this context than in any other place besides. And there will be the further drawback, that in such cases the individual usually acts as judge in his own cause, where his conscience is pretty sure to be biased. And he forestalls the danger by an authoritative and reasoned description of the attitude which the Christian ought to assume. From our interest in it: "He is the minister of God to thee for good. He speaks of powers, in the plural number, because there are divers sorts and kinds thereof, as monarchy, aristocracy, democracy: under which soever of these we live, we must be subject thereunto. (3.) 5:17-19,21; Romans 13:9 Lev. The reasons to enforce this duty. III. The whole pagan magistracy they regarded as founded in a system of idolatry; as opposed to God and his kingdom; and as abomination in his sight. "Put him on as Lord to rule you, as Jesus to save you, and in both as Christ, anointed and appointed by the Father to this ruling saving work.". And it is observable, that the apostle speaks of powers, and not persons, at least, not of persons, but under the name of powers, to show that he means not this, or the other particular prince or magistrate, but the thing itself, the office and dignity of magistracy itself; for there may be some persons, who may of themselves usurp this office, or exercise it in a very illegal way, who are not of God, nor to be subject to by men. The higher powers - The magistracy; the supreme government. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do … Are we to say, for instance, that Hampden was wrong in refusing the payment of ship-money? A lesson of subjection to lawful authority (v. 1-6). 2:17) and outward reverence and respect, both in speaking to them and in speaking of them-obedience to their commands in things lawful and honest, and in other things a patient subjection to the penalty without resistance-a conformity in every thing to the place and duty of subjects, bringing our minds to the relation and condition, and the inferiority and subordination of it. Romans 13:8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. The standard contributions that the Roman government levied on its subject nations were three. Yet it contemplated the rearing of a kingdom amid other kingdoms, an empire amid other empires. Lest this liberty should be turned into licentiousness, and misconstrued to countenance faction and rebellion, the apostle enjoins obedience to civil government, which was the more necessary to be pressed now because the magistrates were heathens and unbelievers, which yet did not destroy their civil power and authority. 3:11, 14. Compare Eph. This subjection is likewise consented to by the tribute we pay (v. 6): "For this cause pay you tribute, as a testimony of your submission, and an acknowledgment that in conscience you think it to be due. "What we must put on." This is equally true at all times, that the powers that exist, exist by the permission and providence of God. This stands in opposition to a great many base lusts, mentioned v. 13. It is inclusive of all the duties of the second table, which he specifies, v. 9, and these suppose the love of God. There may be men in power who assume it of themselves, and are of themselves, and not of God; and others that abuse the power that is lodged in them; who, though they are by divine permission, yet not of God's approbation and good will. Are ordained of God - This word "ordained" denotes the "ordering" or "arrangement" which subsists in a "military" company, or army. God as the ruler and governor of the world hath appointed the ordinance of magistracy, so that all civil power is derived from him as from its original, and he hath by his providence put the administration into those hands, whatever they are that have it. I. He did herein consult the benefit of his creatures.—The powers that be: whatever the particular form and method of government are-whether by monarchy, aristocracy, or democracy-wherever the governing power is lodged, it is an ordinance of God, and it is to be received and submitted to accordingly; though immediately an ordinance of man (1 Pt. 4:1, Walk honestly as in the day. IV. "Let us therefore, who are of the day, cast them off; not only cease from the practice of them, but detest and abhor them, and have no more to do with them. Have we this light to sleep in? We are here taught how to conduct ourselves towards magistrates, and those that are in authority over us, called here the higher powers, intimating their authority (they are powers), and their dignity (they are higher powers), including not only the king as supreme, but all inferior magistrates under him: and yet it is expressed, not by the persons that are in that power, but the place of power itself, in which they are. They refused to avail themselves of the elements of fanaticism which existed wherever there were Jews, and at the head of which they might easily have placed themselves. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. It forbids an anxious encumbering care. The powers that be.—Those that we see existing all around us. Romans 13:1. (b) Be distributed: for some are greater, some smaller. The gloss on it is, magistrates, because they set their eyes upon rich men to kill them, and take away their substance. 3. It was practically a refusal to reply at all. He writes, “Pay to all what is due them — taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due” (Romans 13:7, NET). Lit., the existing. 21:28. By him kings reign, Prov. Those that keep in the way of their duty shall have the commendation and protection of the civil powers, to their credit and comfort. Magistrates bear the sword, and to oppose them is to hazard all that is dear to us in this world; for it is to no purpose to contend with him that bears the sword. "What we must put off; put off our night-clothes, which it is a shame to appear abroad in: Cast off the works of darkness." Submission to Governing Authorities. The horse and the mule must thus be held in with bit and bridle. Thirdly, As the protector of the good, whose persons, families, estates, and names, are by this means hedged about. Not only so, but when resistance was made on His behalf, He rebuked the disciple who had drawn the sword for Him. It may only be well to add one caution. Points to Note: 1. The graces of the Spirit are this armour, to secure the soul from Satan’s temptations and the assaults of this present evil world. 13. That which hath God for its author, is to be acknowledged and submitted to; but magistracy hath God for its author: ergo. Again, "says (u) Rabban Gamaliel, , "take heed of the power" (i.e. (6) in the "changes" which were to occur in human governments, it would be an inquiry of deep interest, what part Christians should take, and what submission they should yield to the various laws which might spring up among the nations. The Apostle would be aware of this. Where the precept is appealed to, “Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” one man will say that the particular point in question comes under the first head, another that it comes under the second. Render therefore to all their dues To all princes, magistrates, and officers, that are placed over us, from the supreme governor to the lowest officer under him, should we render as a due debt, and not as a mere gift, whatever belongs to them, or is proper for them for the due discharge of their office, to encourage in it, and support the dignity of it, whether external or internal: So far as His practice was concerned, our Lord pursued a course of simple obedience; into the theory of political or civil obligation He absolutely refused to enter. 6:13, etc. An induction of particular precepts, v. 9. Or if he was not wrong—and the verdict of mankind has generally justified his act—what are we to think of the language that is here used by St. Paul? Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. The subjection of soul here required includes inward honour (1 Pt. It does not necessarily follow that precisely the same attitude is incumbent upon the Christian now. He that loves his neighbour as himself will be desirous of the welfare of his neighbour’s body, goods, and good name, as of his own. Romans 1:13 And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles. Many, who in other things seem to be just, yet make no conscience of this, but pass it off with a false ill-favoured maxim, that it is no sin to cheat the king, directly contrary to Paul’s rule, Tribute to whom tribute is due. every person. This is the intention of magistracy, and therefore we must, for conscience’ sake, be subject to it, as a constitution designed for the public good, to which all private interests must give way. Due taxes: Tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom. A general rule concerning the nature of brotherly love: Love worketh no ill (v. 10)—he that walks in love, that is actuated and governed by a principle of love, worketh no ill; he neither practises nor contrives any ill to his neighbour, to any one that he has any thing to do with: ouk ergazetai. The doctrine in these verses Romans 13:11-14, therefore, is, "that a deep conviction of the nearness of eternity will prompt to an upright life in the contact of man with man. Render, therefore, to all — Magistrates, whether supreme or subordinate; their dues — What by law, or by the appointment of God, belongs to them, even though you may have opportunities of defrauding them of it, to your own immediate and temporal advantage. To ask meat for our necessities is duty: we are taught to pray for daily bread; but to ask meat for our lusts is provoking, Ps. 2. Powers is not in the text, and is supplied from the preceding clause. 15:4), yet the just power which they have must be submitted to and obeyed. Let every soul; i.e. Hence Bishop Butler feels himself justified in taking the principles which regulate civil society as an analogy for those which will regulate the ultimate divine disposition of things. The word denotes that kind of submission which soldiers render to their officers. If we have protection from the government, we owe subjection to it; by upholding the government, we keep up our own hedge. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 13:1-7 The grace of the gospel teaches us submission and quiet, where pride and the carnal mind only see causes for murmuring and discontent. Our conversation must be as becomes the gospel. Because of the reproach which the Christian religion lay under in the world, as an enemy to public peace, order, and government, as a sect that turned the world upside down, and the embracers of it as enemies to Caesar, and the more because the leaders were Galileans-an old slander. They will come under the lash of the law, and will find the higher powers too high to be trampled upon, all civil governments being justly strict and severe against treason and rebellion; so it follows (v. 3), Rulers are a terror. The powers that be - That is, all the civil magistracies that exist; those who have the "rule" over nations, by whatever means they may have obtained it.

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