8. Owe no man anything, but to love one another—"Acquit yourselves of all obligations except love, which is a debt that must remain ever due" [HODGE]. for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law—for the law itself is but love in manifold action, regarded as matter of duty. read more
9. For this, &c.—better thus: "For the [commandments], Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and whatever other commandment [there may be], it is summed up," &c. (The clause, "Thou shalt not bear false witness," is wanting in all the most ancient manuscripts). The apostle refers here only to the second table of the law, as love to our neighbor is what he is treating of. read more
10. Love worketh no ill to his—or, "one's" neighbour; therefore, &c.—As love, from its very nature, studies and delights to please its objects, its very existence is an effectual security against our wilfully injuring him. Next follow some general motives to the faithful discharge of all these duties. read more
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
Paul, as Jesus, commanded believers to give back (Gr. apodote) to the government what we owe for services it renders (cf. Mark 12:14; Mark 12:17). Paying taxes has always been repugnant to people, including Christians. Some Christians argue this way. Since the government uses my tax money for purposes that are contrary to God’s will, I do not want to support evil by paying taxes. Jesus came out flatly in favor of paying taxes and led his disciples in doing so even though the Roman government to... read more
The NASB translation "Owe nothing to anyone" is misleading because it contradicts Jesus’ teaching to loan to those who want to borrow from you (Matthew 5:42). He implied that borrowing is not always wrong. The New Testament does not forbid borrowing, only the practice of charging exorbitant interest on loans and failing to pay debts (Matthew 25:27; Luke 19:23). There are two kinds of debts: those with the lender’s consent and those without his consent. It is the second type to which Paul... read more
2. Conduct toward unbelievers 13:8-10Paul had previously glorified the importance of love among believers (Romans 12:9-10; cf. 1 Corinthians 13). Now he urged this attitude toward all people, though unbelievers are primarily in view in this chapter. The connecting link in the argument is our obligations to government (Romans 13:7) and to our fellow citizens (Romans 13:8; cf. Galatians 5:13-15). read more
Paul again appealed to the Law to show that what he had written in Romans 13:8 was in harmony with what God had commanded earlier. Whereas the Mosaic Law specified numerous situations in which the Israelites were to practice love, the Law of Christ contains comparatively few. The simple principle is enough. This is another excellent example of the essentially legal character of the Mosaic Law and the gracious character of Christ’s teachings. Jesus Christ gave us a model to follow in loving... read more
13:8 fulfilled (k-16) Perfect tense. By the conduct which flows from love, the law is already fulfilled before its requirement is applied. read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 13:7
7. Render therefore to all their dues—From magistrates the apostle now comes to other officials, and from them to men related to us by whatever tie. tribute—land tax. custom—mercantile tax. fear—reverence for superiors. honour—the respect due to persons of distinction. read more