1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 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:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
1 Let every G3956 soul G5590 be subject G5293 unto the higher G5242 powers. G1849 For G1063 there is G2076 no G3756 power G1849 but G1508 of G575 God: G2316 G1161 the powers G1849 that be G5607 are G1526 ordained G5021 of G5259 God. G2316
2 Whosoever therefore G5620 resisteth G498 the power, G1849 resisteth G436 the ordinance G1296 of God: G2316 and G1161 they that resist G436 shall receive G2983 to themselves G1438 damnation. G2917
3 For G1063 rulers G758 are G1526 not G3756 a terror G5401 to good G18 works, G2041 but G235 to the evil. G2556 Wilt thou G2309 then G1161 not G3361 be afraid G5399 of the power? G1849 do G4160 that which is good, G18 and G2532 thou shalt have G2192 praise G1868 of G1537 the same: G846
4 For G1063 he is G2076 the minister G1249 of God G2316 to thee G4671 for G1519 good. G18 But G1161 if G1437 thou do G4160 that which is evil, G2556 be afraid; G5399 for G1063 he beareth G5409 not G3756 the sword G3162 in vain: G1500 for G1063 he is G2076 the minister G1249 of God, G2316 a revenger G1558 to execute wrath G3709 upon G1519 him that doeth G4238 evil. G2556
5 Wherefore G1352 ye must needs G318 be subject, G5293 not G3756 only G3440 for G1223 wrath, G3709 but G235 also G2532 for conscience G4893 sake. G1223
6 For G1063 for G1223 this G5124 cause G1223 pay ye G5055 tribute G5411 also: G2532 for G1063 they are G1526 God's G2316 ministers, G3011 attending continually G4342 upon G1519 this G5124 very thing. G846
7 Render G591 therefore G3767 to all G3956 their dues: G3782 tribute G5411 to whom G3588 tribute G5411 is due; custom G5056 to whom G3588 custom; G5056 fear G5401 to whom G3588 fear; G5401 honour G5092 to whom G3588 honour. G5092
8 Owe G3784 no man G3367 any thing, G3367 but G1508 to love G25 one another: G240 for G1063 he that loveth G25 another G2087 hath fulfilled G4137 the law. G3551
9 For G1063 this, Thou shalt G3431 not G3756 commit adultery, G3431 Thou shalt G5407 not G3756 kill, G5407 Thou shalt G2813 not G3756 steal, G2813 Thou shalt G5576 not G3756 bear false witness, G5576 Thou shalt G1937 not G3756 covet; G1937 and G2532 if there be any G1536 other G2087 commandment, G1785 it is briefly comprehended G346 in G1722 this G5129 saying, G3056 namely, G1722 Thou shalt love G25 thy G4675 neighbour G4139 as G5613 thyself. G1438
10 Love G26 worketh G2038 no G3756 ill G2556 to his neighbour: G4139 therefore G3767 love G26 is the fulfilling G4138 of the law. G3551
11 And G2532 that, G5124 knowing G1492 the time, G2540 that G3754 now G2235 it is high time G5610 to awake G2248 G1453 out of G1537 sleep: G5258 for G1063 now G3568 is our G2257 salvation G4991 nearer G1452 than G2228 when G3753 we believed. G4100
12 The night G3571 is far spent, G4298 G1161 the day G2250 is at hand: G1448 let us G659 therefore G3767 cast off G659 the works G2041 of darkness, G4655 and G2532 let us put on G1746 the armour G3696 of light. G5457
13 Let us walk G4043 honestly, G2156 as G5613 in G1722 the day; G2250 not G3361 in rioting G2970 and G2532 drunkenness, G3178 not G3361 in chambering G2845 and G2532 wantonness, G766 not G3361 in strife G2054 and G2532 envying. G2205
14 But G235 put ye on G1746 the Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 and G2532 make G4160 not G3361 provision G4307 for G1519 the flesh, G4561 to fulfil the lusts G1939 thereof.
1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the `powers' that be are ordained of God.
2 Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.
3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:
4 for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore `ye' must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
6 For this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute `is due'; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.
11 And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we `first' believed.
12 The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to `fulfil' the lusts `thereof'.
1 Let every soul to the higher authorities be subject, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities existing are appointed by God,
2 so that he who is setting himself against the authority, against God's ordinance hath resisted; and those resisting, to themselves shall receive judgment.
3 For those ruling are not a terror to the good works, but to the evil; and dost thou wish not to be afraid of the authority? that which is good be doing, and thou shalt have praise from it,
4 for of God it is a ministrant to thee for good; and if that which is evil thou mayest do, be fearing, for not in vain doth it bear the sword; for of God it is a ministrant, an avenger for wrath to him who is doing that which is evil.
5 Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only because of the wrath, but also because of the conscience,
6 for because of this also pay ye tribute; for servants of God they are, on this very thing attending continually;
7 render, therefore, to all `their' dues; to whom tribute, the tribute; to whom custom, the custom; to whom fear, the fear; to whom honour, the honour.
8 To no one owe anything, except to love one another; for he who is loving the other -- law he hath fulfilled,
9 for, `Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false testimony, Thou shalt not covet;' and if there is any other command, in this word it is summed up, in this: `Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself;'
10 the love to the neighbor doth work no ill; the love, therefore, `is' the fulness of law.
11 And this, knowing the time, that for us, the hour already `is' to be aroused out of sleep, for now nearer `is' our salvation than when we did believe;
12 the night did advance, and the day came nigh; let us lay aside, therefore, the works of the darkness, and let us put on the armour of the light;
13 as in day-time, let us walk becomingly; not in revellings and drunkennesses, not in chamberings and lasciviousnesses, not in strife and emulation;
14 but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and for the flesh take no forethought -- for desires.
1 Let every soul be subject to the authorities that are above [him]. For there is no authority except from God; and those that exist are set up by God.
2 So that he that sets himself in opposition to the authority resists the ordinance of God; and they who [thus] resist shall bring sentence of guilt on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a terror to a good work, but to an evil [one]. Dost thou desire then not to be afraid of the authority? practise [what is] good, and thou shalt have praise from it;
4 for it is God's minister to thee for good. But if thou practisest evil, fear; for it bears not the sword in vain; for it is God's minister, an avenger for wrath to him that does evil.
5 Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only on account of wrath, but also on account of conscience.
6 For on this account ye pay tribute also; for they are God's officers, attending continually on this very thing.
7 Render to all their dues: to whom tribute [is due], tribute; to whom custom, custom; to whom fear, fear; to whom honour, honour.
8 Owe no one anything, unless to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
9 For, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not lust; and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love works no ill to its neighbour; love therefore [is the] whole law.
11 This also, knowing the time, that it is already time that *we* should be aroused out of sleep; for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, and the day is near; let us cast away therefore the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 As in the day, let us walk becomingly; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and lasciviousness, not in strife and emulation.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not take forethought for the flesh to [fulfil its] lusts.
1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.
2 Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.
3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same,
4 for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn't bear the sword in vain; for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
5 Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually on this very thing.
7 Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.
8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet,"{TR adds "You shall not give false testimony,"} and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
10 Love doesn't harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.
11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.
12 The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let's therefore throw off the works of darkness, and let's put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.
1 Let everyone put himself under the authority of the higher powers, because there is no power which is not of God, and all powers are ordered by God.
2 For which reason everyone who puts himself against the authority puts himself against the order of God: and those who are against it will get punishment for themselves.
3 For rulers are not a cause of fear to the good work but to the evil. If you would have no fear of the authority, do good and you will have praise;
4 For he is the servant of God to you for good. But if you do evil, have fear; for the sword is not in his hand for nothing: he is God's servant, making God's punishment come on the evil-doer.
5 So put yourselves under the authority, not for fear of wrath, but because you have the knowledge of what is right.
6 For the same reason, make payment of taxes; because the authority is God's servant, to take care of such things at all times.
7 Give to all what is their right: taxes to him whose they are, payment to him whose right it is, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour is to be given.
8 Be in debt for nothing, but to have love for one another: for he who has love for his neighbour has kept all the law.
9 And this, Do not be untrue in married life, Do not put to death, Do not take what is another's, Do not have desire for what is another's, and if there is any other order, it is covered by this word, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself.
10 Love does no wrong to his neighbour, so love makes the law complete.
11 See then that the time has come for you to be awake from sleep: for now is your salvation nearer than when you first had faith.
12 The night is far gone, and the day is near: so let us put off the works of the dark, arming ourselves with light,
13 With right behaviour as in the day; not in pleasure-making and drinking, not in bad company and unclean behaviour, not in fighting and envy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not give thought to the flesh to do its desires.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Romans 13
Commentary on Romans 13 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 13
There are three good lessons taught us in this chapter, where the apostle enlarges more upon his precepts than he had done in the foregoing chapter, finding them more needful to be fully pressed.
Rom 13:1-6
We are here taught how to conduct ourselves towards magistrates, and those that are in authority over us, called here the higher powers, intimating their authority (they are powers), and their dignity (they are higher powers), including not only the king as supreme, but all inferior magistrates under him: and yet it is expressed, not by the persons that are in that power, but the place of power itself, in which they are. However the persons themselves may be wicked, and of those vile persons whom the citizen of Zion contemneth (Ps. 15:4), yet the just power which they have must be submitted to and obeyed. The apostle had taught us, in the foregoing chapter, not to avenge ourselves, nor to recompense evil for evil; but, lest it should seem as if this did cancel the ordinance of a civil magistracy among Christians, he takes occasion to assert the necessity of it, and of the due infliction of punishment upon evil doers, however it may look like recompensing evil for evil. Observe,
Rom 13:7-10
We are here taught a lesson of justice and charity.
Rom 13:11-14
We are here taught a lesson of sobriety and godliness in ourselves. Our main care must be to look to ourselves. Four things we are here taught, as a Christian's directory for his day's work: when to awake, how to dress ourselves, how to walk, and what provision to make.