Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 2 · Chapter 13 · Section 1 – Section 2
1. The text with the diuerse readings.
1. Let eueryevery soule be subiect to the higher (or supereminent) powers: for there is no power but of God: and the powers that be, are ordained of God.
2 Whosoeuer therefore setteth himselfe against the power, (resisteth, B.G.L. but there is an other word for that afterward) resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist, shall receiue to themselues condemnation. (iudgement, V.)
3 For rulers B. (magistrates, G. Be. foreign) are not to be feared (are not a feare, Gr.) for good works, but for euill: wilt thou then not feare (be without feare, G.) the power? doe well, so shalt thou hauehave praise of the same.
4 For he is the minister of God for thy good: (wealth, B.G.) but if thou doe euill, feare: for he beareth not the sword in vaine: (without cause, L. for nought, G. foreign) for he is the minister of God, and reuenger for wrath (to take vengeance, G.) on him, that doth euill.
5 Wherefore it is necessarie to be subiect, not because of wrath onelyonly, but also for conscience sake.
6 For, for this cause pay ye also tribute: for they are Gods ministers, bending themselues (seruing, L.B. applying themselues, G. foreign, with force and strength applying: see. c. 12.12.) to the same purpose.
6 GiueGive vntounto all men their dutie: tribute, to whome ye owe tribute; custome, to whom custome; feare to whome feare; honour, to whom honour.
8 Owe nothing to any man, but to louelove one an other: for he that loueth an other (his neighbour, L.S.) hath fulfilled the Law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adulterie, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steale, Thou shalt not beare false witnesse, Thou shalt not couet: and if there be any other commandement, it is briefly comprehended (capitulated, Gr. not restoared, L. fulfilled, S.) in this saying, namely B.Be. (in this, Gr.) Thou shalt louelove thy neighbour as thy selfe.
10 Charitie doth not euill to the neighbour: therefore is charitie the fulfilling of the Law.
11 And that considering (knowing, Gr.) the season, that it is now time (the houre, Gr.) that we should be raised (awake, B.) from sleeepe: for now is saluation nearer vsus (better, then our saluation is nearer, L.B.G.) then when we beleeued.
12 The night is past on, (passed before, L. praecessit, but it is better interpreted processit, is past on, Be.) and the day is approached: (is atiband, G. is come nigh, B.) let vsus therefore cast away the works of darknes, and put on the armour of light, (the habit which beseemeth the light, Be. ad.)
13 So that we walke honestly, as in the day, not in ryoting, Be. (or gluttonie, G. in musike, S.) or drunkennes, neither in chambring, and wantonnes, nor in strife, and envying:
14 But put ye on the Lord Iesus Christ, and take no care (make no perswasion, Gr. B.) for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
2. The Argument, method, and parts.
IN this Chapter from the generall exhortation to the offices of charitie, the Apostle commeth vntounto particular duties, as vntounto the Magistrate, and then falleth againe into the commendation of louelove, dehorting from grosse vices, and corruptions of life: so then of this chapter there are three parts, 1. the first of dutie to be exhibited to the magistrate, to v. 8. 2. of louelove in generall, v. 8, 9, 10. 3. the exhortation is extended from v. 11. to the ende.
1. In the first the proposition is expressed, v. 1. eueryevery soule must be subiect to the magistrate: which is confirmed by diuers reasons: 1. from the author or efficient cause, which is God, amplified by the contrarie, that may which resist magistrates, resist against the ordinance of God. 2. from the effects, the punishment of those which disobey, v. 2. 3. from the double ende of magistracie or gouernment, the praise of wel-doers, v. 3. and the punishment of them that doe euill, v. 4. 4. from the inconuenience that ensueth, he that disobeieth, violateth a good conscience: therefore for conscience sake we must be subiect, v. 5. 5. from a part to the whole: they pay tribute, therefore they must yeeld obedience also in other things, v. 6. 6. ab aequo, from the equitie of it: we must pay vntounto all, that which is due, but subiection is due vntounto the magistrate, as he prooueth by diuers particulars, v. 7. Ergo.
2. In the second part the Apostle exhorteth vntounto mutuall louelove. 1. from the rule of equitie, it is a common debt, which one oweth vntounto an other. 2. from the effects, it is the fulfilling of the law, v. 8. which he prooueth, 1. by a particular induction, v. 9. 2. by remoouing of the contrarie effects: louelove doth none euill vntounto our neighbour, therefore it is the fulfilling of the law.
3. Then the Apostle concludeth with a generall dehortation from certaine vices: which is ioyned with an exhortation to the contrarie vertues. And the same is either generall vrged by two arguments: 1. one taken from the state of the regenerate, saluation is nearer now, then before, v. 11. 2. the other from the circumstance of time, which is propounded figuratiuely; the night is past, and the day is come, v. 12. Then the particular exhortation followeth, v. 13. with a dehortation from the contrarie vices: and so he concludeth againe generally concerning both, v. 14.