Romans 13:1,Romans 13:2

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Romans 13:1

13:1 subject (h-5) Or 'let every soul subject itself.' it is reflexive; see Note e, Hebrews 1:3 . 'Sets himself in opposition,' ver. 2, is in direct contrast. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:1-14

The Christian’s Duty to the State and to his NeighbourSt. Paul now passes to the duties of Christians to the State. In Romans 12:19 he had condemned revenge; but he asserts here that the State may rightly punish, as God’s agent in temporal affairs. He enforces obedience to government, i.e. to social order, not to any special form of government. He gives no directions as to what is to be done when there is a conflict of civil authority (Romans 13:1-7). Our behaviour to men in general is to be... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 13:1

(1) Every soul.—A Hebraism for “every person,” though at the same time here, as in Romans 2:9, there is a slight stress upon the fact that man is a conscious and intelligent being, capable of moral relations, and it is especially with reference to these relations that the phrase is used.Higher powers.—Authorities, i.e., magistrates, the abstract for the concrete.There is no power.—It is strange that the Apostle seems to go almost out of his way to include even usurped and tyrannical power. He... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 13:1-7

XIII.(1-7) Subject unto the higher powers.—Looking impartially at the passage which follows, it would seem at first sight—and perhaps not only at first sight—that the Apostle distinctly preaches two doctrines, both of which are now discredited, the doctrines of divine right and of passive obedience. The duty of obedience is grounded upon the fact that the power wielded by the magistrate is derived from God, and that duty itself is stated without qualification.What are we to understand by this?... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Romans 13:1-14

Romans 13:0 Mr. Seebohm, in The Oxford Reformers, tells us that when Dean Colet was expounding this chapter, he used to 'take down his Suetonius in order to ascertain the state of society at Rome and the special circumstances which made it needful for St. Paul so strongly to urge Roman Christians to be obedient to the higher powers and to pay tribute also'. Romans 13:1 Meseemeth (if I may speake boldly) that it argueth a great self-love and presumption for a man to esteeme his opinions so far,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Romans 13:1-10

Chapter 27CHRISTIAN DUTY; IN CIVIL LIFE AND OTHERWISE:Romans 13:1-10A NEW topic now emerges, distinct, yet in close and natural connection. We have been listening to precepts for personal and social life, all rooted in that inmost characteristic of Christian morals, self-surrender, self-submission to God. Loyalty to others in the Lord has been the theme. In the circles of home, of friendship, of the Church; in the open field of intercourse with men in general, whose personal enmity or religious... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Romans 13:1-14

CHAPTER 13 1. Obedience to Authorities. (Romans 13:1-7 .) 2. Love the Fulfilling of the Law. (Romans 13:8-10 .) 3. The Day is at Hand. (Romans 13:11-14 .) Romans 13:1-7 The children of God are strangers and pilgrims in the world. Our citizenship is in heaven. But what is the Christian to do as living under different forms of government? The Christian is to be in subjection to these, for the powers that exist are ordained by Him. Resisting these powers would mean resistance to God who has... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Romans 13:1

13:1 Let {1} every {a} soul be subject unto the higher {2} powers. {3} For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are {b} ordained of God.(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.(a) Indeed, though an apostle, though an evangelist, though a prophet;... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:1-14

Subjection to Proper Authority This chapter is as clear as can be in its teaching: nothing but a spirit of rebellion could find difficulty with it - except possibly in the matter of how far this subjection to government is to extend. Plainly, if matters are simply governmental, even though their requirements are in our estimation unjust and discriminatory, detrimental to our personal comfort or welfare, the honorable Christian attitude is submission. Anything else is resistance of God's... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Romans 13:1-14

PRACTICAL APPLICATION In chapter 6 Paul revealed the secret of experimental sanctification as the yielding of one’s self unto God, in which case sin would not have dominion over one In chapter 8 he showed the divine process of sanctification as the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer. Having finished the doctrinal part of his epistle, he returns to what he then said (chap. 6), and exhorts us to yield because of the “mercies of God” of which he had been speaking throughout (Romans 12:1-2... read more