로마서 13:1-6 KRV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 word, for the benefit of the community, and not for the aggrandizement of himself, that God has entrusted the supreme civil power to any man. If he should use this to wrong, rob, spoil, oppress, and persecute his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 as the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears open to their cry, consequently the ruler will be the minister of God to them for good. He beareth not the sword in vain - His power is delegated to him... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 conscience. For, as civil government is established in the order of God for the support, defense, and happiness of society, they who transgress its laws, not only expose themselves to the penalties assigned by the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 defense of the community, it is necessary that those in whose behalf these expenses are incurred should defray that expense; and hence nothing can be more reasonable than an impartial and moderate taxation, by which the expenses of the state may be defrayed, and the various officers, whether civil or military, who are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:1

Verse 1 1.Let every soul, (399) etc. Inasmuch as he so carefully handles this subject in connection with what forms the Christian life, it appears that he was constrained to do so by some great necessity which existed especially in that age, though the preaching of the gospel at all times renders this necessary. There are indeed always some tumultuous spirits who believe that the kingdom of Christ cannot be sufficiently elevated, unless all earthly powers be abolished, and that they cannot... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:2

Verse 2 2.And they who resist, etc. As no one can resist God but to his own ruin, he threatens, that they shall not be unpunished who in this respect oppose the providence of God. Let us then beware, lest we incur this denunciation. And by judgment, (402) I understand not only the punishment which is inflicted by the magistrate, as though he had only said, that they would be justly punished who resisted authority; but also the vengeance of God, however it may at length be executed: for he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:3

Verse 3 3. For princes, etc. He now commends to us obedience to princes on the ground of utility; for the causative γὰρ, for, is to be referred to the first proposition, and not to the last verse. Now, the utility is this, — that the Lord has designed in this way to provide for the tranquillity of the good, and to restrain the waywardness of the wicked; by which two things the safety of mankind is secured: for except the fury of the wicked be resisted, and the innocent be protected from their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:4

Verse 4 4.For he is God’s minister for good, etc. Magistrates may hence learn what their vocation is, for they are not to rule for their own interest, but for the public good; nor are they endued with unbridled power, but what is restricted to the wellbeing of their subjects; in short, they are responsible to God and to men in the exercise of their power. For as they are deputed by God and do his business, they must give an account to him: and then the ministration which God has committed to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:5

Verse 5 5.It is therefore necessary, etc. What he had at first commanded as to the rendering of obedience to magistrates, he now briefly repeats, but with some addition, and that is, — that we ought to obey them, not only on the ground of necessity arising from man, but that we thereby obey God; for by wrath he means the punishment which the magistrates inflict for the contempt of their dignity; as though he had said, “We must not only obey, because we cannot with impunity resist the powerful... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:6

Verse 6 6.For this reason also, etc. He takes occasion to introduce the subject of tributes, the reason for which he deduces from the office of magistrates; for if it be their duty to defend and safely preserve the peace of the good, and to resist the mischievous attempts of the wicked, this they cannot do unless they are aided by sufficient force. Tributes then are justly paid to support such necessary expenses. (406) But respecting the proportion of taxes or tributes, this is not the place to... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:6

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