Romans 13

Notes

Ver. 1. And whether ye be Jews or Gentiles, ministers or people, see that ye conscientiously submit to and cheerfully obey the civil governors who rule over you, in everything lawful; for they are advanced to their dignity by the providence ly of God, derive their whole authority from him as the supreme Governor of the world, and therefore ought to be acknowledged and obeyed as his deputies and Lt nnwavante 2 Whoever therefore thev be. and of vicegerents. 2. Whoever therefore they be, and of what religious profession or worldly circumstances soever, who, in their private capacity, oppose any lawful command of the civil government which is providenint set over them, and in a seditious and treasonable a manner endeavour to disturb, defame, and subvert tt, they rebel against the authority of God himself, and oppose an ordinance which he has appointed in his Jaw, natural and revealed, for the protection, safety, and welfare of mankind, and expose themselves to at, punishment from their rulers, and to the everer, wrath of God who appointed them. 3 mon For according to the end of their institution, civil rulers wh eat etand Lee Gad ta munich men far or deter are not authorized by God to punish men for or deter them from anything truly good and lawful, but to a restrain and punish what is manifestly injurious and ; of to the commonwealth, and dishonourable to ex- their supreme Governor, for the caution of others, the to preserve them from the like conduct. If theressa you would be safe from all danger of punishment ica- them, always live quietly and peaceably, in all godchat and honesty, doing what is morally and politically ards good; and then you may ordinarily expect the protecand commendation, and encouragement of magistrates, 1 do of their severe resentment. 4. For by the very rin- of their office, magistrates are God's deputies, : cs Se hae ne AL manbind in this rin- of their office, magistrates are God's deputies, ever for the common benefit of mankind in this and state, he has authorized to suppress vice ings and profaneness, and to maintain his fre? as the Lord of the world, and the natural, ften and religious rights of their subjects. If there ,22, you violate the moral and political laws of their eons government by doing what tends to dishonour, weaken, eted destroy it, you expose yourselves and families to the 'the dreadful consequences, magistrates being obliged, wate the deputies of God, to punish such as are turbulent ould chargeable with any other notorious crimes. 5. Ye who therefore bound to pay all due subjection and obeWoe ta macictrates not onlv for avoiding that punish: religion and conscience towards God, regarding their office as his ordinance, and themselves as his deputies, placed over you in his providence, and acting in his name and authority, in all their lawful injunctions, to whom, as guardians of the state under himself, he requires you to be subject. 6, 7. And since they are the deputies of the most high God, who, by virtue of their office and power derived from him, lay out themselves continually for the security of the rights and liberties of their good subjects, and the restraint and punishment of malefactors, make conscience of honestly paying whatever taxes are laid upon you for the support and dignity of government; and always labour to cultivate a becoming reverence and esteem of them in your minds as your political fathers and lords; and manifest it in every proper expression of outward homage, honour, or respect. 8-10. Never be either backward or dilatory to pay the tax you owe them or the debt you owe any other; and never think the just debt of love which you owe to all mankind fully paid, but in all circumstances, and by all proper means, desire, contrive, and labour how to exercise it best for their advantage.—For in love to our fellow-creatures in its due latitude and fervour, as founded upon and springing from our love to God, and from a sense of his love to us in Christ, we really fulfil all the commandments of

the second table of the moral law relative to chastity, preservation of life, furtherance of wealth, maintenance of truth, charitable contentment, and relative duties; for whenever unfeigned and fervent love reigns in the heart, it sweetly and powerfully restrains from desiring, designing, or willingly doing anything hurtful, and constrains to the performance of every kind office to every one; and so is radically and intentionally a compliance with all the duties of the second table of the law, and will render a man sincerely desirous of and diligent in performing them. 11. And the more careful ought we to be in cultivating this comprehensive duty of love, as now, under the light and grace, assistances and encouragements to the gospel dispensation, it is high time for us to shake off all our sloth and carnal security, that Jesus Christ may not, in death or judgment, find us asleep; for now our deliverance from persecution, and chiefly our complete salvation in heaven, is much nearer than when we first believed on him for it. 12. And since not only this night of our outward troubles, but also of our ignorance, unbelief, and sinful courses, is now far spent, and the day of gospel light hath begun to dawn in our souls, and the day of complete redemption is at hand, let us labour to mortify our shameful lusts, and shun every sinful and dangerous practice, and daily grow in and exercise the

precious, pure, heart-comforting, and adorning graces of God's Spirit, in opposition to the temptations and terrors of sin, Satan, and the world. 13. Let us constantly, uniformly, and progressively behave in a manner suited to our Christian character, and the privileges which we enjoy or expect—carefully avoiding all excessive feasting and carousing, revellings, and debaucheries; all whoredom in heart, looks, words, actions, or dress; all angry contentions and brawlings; and all envying or grudging at the prosperity of others. 14. And, on the contrary, let us by faith constantly receive, profess, and improve the Lord Jesus Christ, as our head and husband, &c., made of God unto us righteousness and sanctification. Let us study to be conformed to him in heart and life, as a mean of rendering us meet for the heavenly blessedness, and of recommending him to all around us; and let us never inordinately consult, care, or provide for our body, to the neglect of our spiritual concerns; nor contrive what may promote or gratify our sinful inclinations.

Ver. 1. The apostle does not speak of forms of government—which even in Israel, under divine authority, were various—but of powers, which he attributes directly to the appointment, and not mere permission, of Almighty God, Ps. 62. 11. C.

Ver. 2. That scriptural non-resistance to civil rulers does not necessarily include compliance with every command and requirement, may be seen from Ac. 4. 18, 19; 5. 28, 29, 42, where Peter and John went peaceably to prison, but peremptorily refused, even by silence, to comply with the ungodly prohibition of the Sanhedrim. C.

Ver. 4. This is the proper description of the civil magistrate:— (1) He is God's minister—God's servant—bound, appointed, to obey him. (2) The first object of his appointment is to do good to them that do good, ver. 3, and good in every form in which it is possible for the power of man to attempt or effect it. (3) He is invested with sufficient power for restraint of the wicked, and also for redressing and avenging wrong. C.

Ver. 8. Owe no man anything—when it is a debt of respect and honour which every right-hearted man can pay; and when it is a debt of money, owe nothing that present means, diligence, frugality, and self-denial can enable you to pay. C.

Ver. 11. And that knowing the time. Rather, 'and especially (attend to all these holy duties) knowing the time' which is quickly passing away, and calling upon us hourly to redeem it, Ep. 5. 16, saying, 'Awake out of sleep, for now is our salvation (our complete deliverance from this body of sin and death, ch. vii.) nearer its consummation in victory over the last enemy, 1 Co. 15. 26) than when we believed.' C.

Reflections.—Divine is the appointment, and advantageous the right exercise, of magistracy. And what a promoter of the peace, order, and happiness of nations is the Christian religion! While it directs rulers how to discharge their high trust as deputies of God, it requires the subjects to revere, honour, obey, support, and reward them as such.—An exact honesty in the contracting or payment of debts ought to mark every Christian. And Christian love to our neighbour is a permanent duty, and an amiable and powerful restraint from vices, and constraint to everything virtuous. No murder, adultery, theft, falsehood, covetousness, or relative disorder, can consist with it. But how imperfect, dark, dangerous, and transient is the present state of things on earth! Great is the mercy that eternal happiness daily approaches nearer to every believer. The faith and contemplation of these things should make us effectually to shake off our sinful indolence and unconcern; to avoid and abhor luxury, uncleanness, strife, and envy; and to receive Jesus, and his righteousness and grace, that we may be always perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord.