Romans 13:3-4 NIV

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 13:3

For rulers - The apostle here speaks of rulers “in general.” It may not be “universally” true that they are not a terror to good works, for many of them have “persecuted” the good; but it is generally true that they who are virtuous have nothing to fear from the laws. It is “universally” true that the design of their appointment by God was, not to injure and oppress the good, but to detect and punish the evil. Magistrates, “as such,” are not a terror to good works.Are not a terror ... - Are not... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 13:4

The minister of God - The “servant” of God he is appointed by God to do his will, and to execute his purposes. “To thee.” For your benefit.For good - That is, to protect you in your rights; to vindicate your name, person, or property; and to guard your liberty, and secure to you the results of your industry. The magistrate is not appointed directly to “reward” people, but they “practically” furnish a reward by protecting and defending them, and securing to them the interests of justice.If thou... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 13:3-5

Romans 13:3-5 . For rulers In general, notwithstanding some particular exceptions; are not a terror to good works Were not ordained, and do not use to punish those that do well, and conform to good laws; but to the evil From which they deter people by punishing those who do them. Wilt thou Wouldest thou then; not be afraid of the power Of the high authority with which they are invested? Do that which is good Carefully perform the good actions which they enjoin, and, according to... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 13:3

rulers . App-172 . evil App-128 . Wilt . . . power? = desirest thou not then to fear the power? Wilt . App-102 . do . Greek. poieo. praise . See Romans 2:29 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 13:4

the = a. minister . App-190 . beareth = weareth. Greek. phoreo. Elsewhere, Matthew 11:8 . Joh 19:5 . 1 Corinthians 15:49 , 1 Corinthians 15:49 . James 2:3 revenger = avenger. Greek. ekdikos. Only here and 1 Thessalonians 4:6 . to execute = for. App-104 . upon him = to the one. doeth = practiseth. Greek. prasso . read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 13:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 13:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 13:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 13:2-5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 13:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 13:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 13:3-5

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Romans 13:1-14

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 13:3

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 13:4

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