Romans 13:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 13:1-7

Loyalty, There was danger, in the first age of Christianity, lest the nature of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus should be misunderstood even by its subjects, and misrepresented by those without. A spiritual empire was a new conception, and carnal minds were prone to confound the dominion over souls with civil and political authority. Hence the importance and appropriateness of the admonitions so emphatically addressed by the apostle to the Christians of Rome. I. THE INSPIRED ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 13:1-7

The Christian as citizen. The duty of Christians as citizens is in our day not sufficiently recognized. Many Christians keep aloof from public life and the duties of citizenship because of the political corruption and party strife which are so common. Others, again, enter into public duties, but seem to leave their religion behind them. The result is a sad want of Christian statesmanship and of Christian legislation. I. THE CHRISTIAN RECOGNIZES THE NECESSITY OF GOVERNMENT ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 13:1-7

Christian submission. We now pass from ecclesiastical to civil relations. Because the Christian has entered upon a new brotherhood in Christ, he does not cease to belong to the old brotherhood of natural society. And as in the spiritual brotherhood humility and love are the twin principles that should regulate all our conduct, so in the natural commonwealth of the state there should be, analogously, submission towards the powers, and a love-inspired justice towards private members of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 13:1-8

From admonitions to keep peace, if possible, with all men, whether or not within the Christian circle, and to act honourably and benevolently towards all, the apostle now passes to the duty of Christians towards the civil government and the laws of the country in which they lived. It is well known that the Jews were impatient of the Roman dominion, and that some held it to be unlawful, on religious grounds, to pay tribute to Caesar ( Matthew 22:17 ). Insurrections against the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 13:2-5

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they which withstand shall receive to themselves condemnation ( i.e. really God's, operating through the human "power;" not meaning damnation in the common sense of the word). For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same . It is the theory of the laws of all civilized governments to uphold... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 13:1

Let every soul - Every person. In the seven first verses of this chapter, the apostle discusses the subject of the duty which Christians owe to civil government; a subject which is extremely important, and at the same time exceedingly difficult. There is no doubt that he had express reference to the special situation of the Christians at Rome; but the subject was of so much importance that he gives it a “general” bearing, and states the great principles on which all Christians are to act. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 13:2

Whosoever therefore resisteth ... - That is, they who rise up against “government itself;” who seek anarchy and confusion; and who oppose the regular execution of the laws. It is implied, however, that those laws shall not be such as to violate the rights of conscience, or oppose the laws of God.Resisteth the ordinance of God - What God has ordained, or appointed. This means clearly that we are to regard “government” as instituted by God, and as agreeable to his will. “When” established, we are... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 13:1

Romans 13:1. 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. And as Rome was the seat of the empire, it was highly proper for the credit of Christianity, for which indeed it was, in effect, a public apology for him to do... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 13:2

Romans 13:2 . Whosoever therefore resisteth the power Or the authority, of which the magistrate is possessed; resisteth the ordinance of God God’s appointment for the preservation of order and of the public peace. And they that resist Who withstand so wise and beneficial an institution; shall receive to themselves damnation Or condemnation and punishment, not only from the civil powers they injure, but from the supreme sovereign, whose laws they break, and whose order they endeavour... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Romans 13:1-14

Duties to rulers and to others (13:1-14)Since God is the source of all authority, governments exercise power by his permission. Christians should therefore obey the ruling authorities (13:1-2). If they keep the laws of the country, Christians have nothing to fear. They should have no difficulty in cooperating with the government, because the basic functions of government are the promotion of the well-being of society and the restraint of wrongdoing, and these functions are in keeping with... read more

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