Romans 13:5-14:23 NIV

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 13:5

Wherefore - διό dio. The “reasons” why we should be subject, which the apostle had given, were two,That government was appointed by God. (2)That violation of the laws would necessarily expose to punishment.Ye must needs be - It is “necessary” ἀναγκή anagkē to be. This is a word stronger than what implies mere “fitness” or propriety. It means that it is a matter of high obligation and of “necessity” to be subject to the civil ruler.Not only for wrath - Not only on account of the “fear of... 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 13:5

for. App-104 .Romans 13:2 . wrath = the wrath. for conscience sake = on account of ( App-104 .Romans 13:2; Romans 13:2 ) the conscience. See Romans 2:15 ; Romans 9:1 .Acts 23:1 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 13:5

Whereofore ye must needs be in subjection, not merely because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.There are twin reasons for the Christian's observance of society's laws: first, as a matter of conscience, it is a sin for him to break the law; and second, in order that he might not incur the legal penalty of lawbreaking. The preeminent consideration is that of pleasing God, as Peter expressed it, "Obey every ordinance of man, for the Lord's sake" (1 Peter 2:13). read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 13:5

5. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath—for fear of the magistrate's vengeance. but also for conscience' sake—from reverence for God's authority. It is of Magistracy in general, considered as a divine ordinance, that this is spoken: and the statement applies equally to all forms of government, from an unchecked despotism—such as flourished when this was written, under the Emperor Nero—to a pure democracy. The inalienable right of all subjects to endeavor to alter or improve... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 13:1-7

1. Conduct towards the government 13:1-7Paul passed from a loosely connected series of exhortations in Romans 12:9-21 to a well-organized argument about a single subject in Romans 13:1-7 (cf. Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26; 1 Peter 2:13-14)."Forbidding the Christian from taking vengeance and allowing God to exercise this right in the last judgment [cf. Romans 12:19-21] might lead one to think that God was letting evildoers have their way in this world. Not so, says Paul in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 13:5

There are two reasons a Christian needs to be submissive to his government. One is that the government may punish him if he is not submissive. The other is that God may punish him. God’s punishment may be during the Christian’s lifetime or after that at the judgment seat of Christ. In this case the punishment might involve the loss of some reward that the believer would have received had he or she been submissive. "Conscience" refers to the believer’s knowledge of God’s will and purposes.... 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

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 13:2-5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 13:5

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 13:5

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Romans 13:5

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 13:5

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 13:1-7

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 13:5

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

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