Romans13
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God.
2Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.
3For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:
4for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil.
5Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
6For for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing.
7Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
8Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.
9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
10Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.
11And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed.
12The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
13Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy.
14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Romans 13.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The duty of subjection to governors. (1–7). Exhortations to mutual love. (8–10). To temperance and sobriety. (11–14).
vv1-7
The grace of the gospel teaches us submission and quiet, where pride and the carnal mind only see causes for murmuring and discontent. Whatever the persons in authority over us themselves may be, yet the just power they have, must be submitted to and obeyed. In the general course of human affairs, rulers are not a terror to honest, quiet, and good subjects, but to evil-doers. Such is the power of sin and corruption, that many will be kept back from crimes only by the fear of punishment. Thou hast the benefit of the government, therefore do what thou canst to preserve it, and nothing to disturb it. This directs private persons to behave quietly and peaceably where God has set them, 1Ti 2:1, 2. Christians must not use any trick or fraud. All smuggling, dealing in contraband goods, withholding or evading duties, is rebellion against the express command of God. Thus honest neighbours are robbed, who will have to pay the more; and the crimes of smugglers, and others who join with them, are abetted. It is painful that some professors of the gospel should countenance such dishonest practices. The lesson here taught it becomes all Christians to learn and practise, that the godly in the land will always be found the quiet and the peaceable in the land, whatever others are.
vv8-10
Christians must avoid useless expense, and be careful not to contract any debts they have not the power to discharge. They are also to stand aloof from all venturesome speculations and rash engagements, and whatever may expose them to the danger of not rendering to all their due. Do not keep in any one's debt. Give every one his own. Do not spend that on yourselves, which you owe to others. But many who are very sensible of the trouble, think little of the sin, of being in debt. Love to others includes all the duties of the second table. The last five of the ten commandments are all summed up in this royal law, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; with the same sincerity that thou lovest thyself, though not in the same measure and degree. He that loves his neighbour as himself, will desire the welfare of his neighbour. On this is built that golden rule, of doing as we would be done by. Love is a living, active principle of obedience to the whole law. Let us not only avoid injuries to the persons, connexions, property, and characters of men; but do no kind or degree of evil to any man, and study to be useful in every station of life.
vv11-14
Four things are here taught, as a Christian's directory for his day's work. When to awake; Now; and to awake out of the sleep of carnal security, sloth, and negligence; out of the sleep of spiritual death, and out of the sleep of spiritual deadness. Considering the time; a busy time; a perilous time. Also the salvation nigh at hand. Let us mind our way, and mend our pace, we are nearer our journey's end. Also to make ourselves ready. The night is far spent, the day is at hand; therefore it is time to dress ourselves. Observe what we must put off; clothes worn in the night. Cast off the sinful works of darkness. Observe what we must put on; how we should dress our souls. Put on the armour of light. A Christian must reckon himself undressed, if unarmed. The graces of the Spirit are this armour, to secure the soul from Satan's temptations, and the assaults of this present evil world. Put on Christ; that includes all. Put on righteousness of Christ, for justification. Put on the Spirit and grace of Christ, for sanctification. The Lord Jesus Christ must be put 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 how to walk. When we are up and ready, we are not to sit still, but to appear abroad; let us walk. Christianity teaches us how to walk so as to please God, who ever sees us. Walk honestly as in the day; avoiding the works of darkness. Where there are riot and drunkenness, there usually are chambering and wantonness, and strife and envy. Solomon puts these all together, Pr 23:29–35. See what provision to make. Our great care must be to provide for our souls: but must we take no care about our bodies? Yes; but two things are forbidden. Perplexing ourselves with anxious, encumbering care; and indulging ourselves in irregular desires. Natural wants are to be answered, but evil appetites must be checked and denied. To ask meat for our necessities, is our duty, we are taught to pray for daily bread; but to ask meat for our lusts, is provoking God, Ps 78:18.
Key Words
πᾶς (pâs): all, any, every, the whole
ψυχή (psychḗ): breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from G4151 (πνεῦμα), which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from G2222 (ζωή), which is mere vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the Hebrew H05315, H07307 and H02416)
ὑποτάσσω (hypotássō): to subordinate; reflexively, to obey
ὑπερέχω (hyperéchō): to hold oneself above, i.e. (figuratively) to excel; participle (as adjective, or neuter as noun) superior, superiority
ἐξουσία (exousía): privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence
γάρ (gár): properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἐστί (estí): he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
οὐ (ou): the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not
εἰ μή (ei mḗ): if not
ἀπό (apó): "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
Cross References
Romans 13Parallel command to submit to every human ordinance and honor the king for the Lord's sake.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Admonishes believers to be subject to principalities and powers and to obey magistrates.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jesus acknowledges that Pilate's authority was given to him from above by God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jesus' command to render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Wisdom declares that by her kings reign and princes decree justice, showing power is from God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Affirms that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomsoever He will.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Refers to loving one's neighbor as the royal law according to the scripture.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Reiterates that the entire law is fulfilled in keeping the command to love one's neighbor.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The Old Testament source of the royal law: 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.'
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Lists the second table commandments cited by Paul (adultery, murder, theft, covetousness).
Supported by JFB
Parallel exhortation to watchfulness, casting off darkness, and putting on the breastplate of faith/love.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Detailed description of the 'armour of light' or 'whole armour of God' for believers.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallel imagery of believers having 'put on Christ' through baptism.
Supported by JFB
Exhorts keeping the king's commandment in regard of the oath of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Rulers are sent for the punishment of evildoers and praise of them that do well.
Supported by JFB
Synoptic account of rendering taxes to Caesar and spiritual service to God.
Supported by JFB
Exhorts the sleeper to awake and arise from the dead, with Christ giving light.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Solomon's warning against being among riotous eaters of flesh and winebibbers.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Declaration that the end of all things is at hand, urging soberness and watchfulness.
Supported by JFB
Instructs believers to put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy communication.
Supported by Matthew Henry