Romans 13

1 The Apostle further exhorts believers to subject themselves to Magistrates with due obedience, seeing their calling is from God, and they that do not so, thereby draw down punishment upon their own heads, and wound their consciences. 6 And consequently commands also to pay them custom and tribute, and to give them all reverence . 8 Afterwards he exhorts them to the exercise of brotherly love with a rehearsal of the commandments of the second Table of the Law. 11 Finally he exhorts them, that seeing the night of ignorance is passed away, and the light of the Gospel hath shined to them, they would beware of drunkenness, whoredome, hatred, strife, and such like sins, and endeavor after the contrary virtues, 14 and to that end put on the Lord Christ, laying aside the providing for the flesh unto lusts.

1. LET every soul [That is, every men, of what linage, state, calling, or age so ever he be, and consequently the minutes of the Church also] be subject [that is, must not be only obedient to them, but also duly acknowledge and honor them] to the powers [that is, the Magistrates, which are by Fod set over others, with power and authority] set over (them) [Gr. Having or excellent, i.e. having supreme power: whereby are understood not only the highest Magistrates, but also that are set in any office of government under them. 1 Tim 2.2. 1 Pet. 2.13,14.] For there is no power [that is, no Magistrate clothed with power] but of God: [namely, who hath not only instituted the office of Magistracy, but who also chooses and appointeth the persons thereunto, although for the most part by the means of men, Proverbs 8:15. Daniel 4:32.] and the powers that are [namely, be they high or low, be they ordained of God. [that is, instituted amongst mankind, to rule them with order in Gods stead: although some of them abuse their power, which God permitted to punish the sins of the people, Job 34:30.]

2. So that he that opposeth the power, [Not only by rebellion as Absalom, but also by obedience in thing: which are not contrary to Gods word] resisteth the ordinance of God, and they that resist it, shall bring [Gr. Receive] a judgement [that is, a punishment, as well from God as from the Magistrate] upon themselves.

3. For Rulers [That is, the Magistrates set over us] are not (for) a fear [namely, that they will punish] to good works [that is, when thou dost well and art obedient to their commands] but to evil, and transgressed their commands] Now wilt thou not fear the power? [that is, wilt thou be free from fear of being punished by them] Do good and thou shalt have praise of them. [that is, be praised by them, and honored with recompense. For the offences of the magistracy is not only to punish evil, but also to reward that which is good, by which two things, as by sinews, the body politick is bound and kept together.]

4. For it is Gods [That is, appointed by God, to serve thee as Gods instrument] for good to thee: [that is, to bring all good to thee by the same, and to take care for thy welfare. See the annot. On 1 Tim. 2.2.] but if thou doth evil, [that is, transgressed the good Law of the Magistrates] then fear: [namely, that thou shalt be punished by them for it] For it beareth not the sword [that is, hath received the power to punish evil doers even with death itself, Genesis 9:6. and causeth not the sword to be born before him without cause, and wears it by his side to give to understand that he hath such power, and will also execute the same against the evil doers] in vain. For it is Gods Minister, a revenge [namely, in Gods name to whom vengeance belongeth, Romans 12:19.] for punishment [Gr. Wrath. See the like Matthew 3:7. Luke 21:23. Romans 2:8.] to him that doth evil.

5. Therefore it is necessary [Namely, to be true subjects, and especially true Christians] to be subjects, not only for punishment. [that is, for fear of punishment. Gr. Wrath] but also for conscience sake. [that is, because we know that God hath ordained and commanded this, and that this cause no man can have a good and conscience, which doth it not.]

6. For therefore [That is, it appears that ye are and ought to be subject to Magistrates, because we pay tribute. See Matthew 22:21.] also ye pay [namely, to the Magistrates, or those that are appointed by them for this purpose] tributes [whereby are understood all burdens which era imposed on the subjects] for [this is a reason to prove it to be equal that we should be obedient to Magistrates, and pay tribute] that are ministers of God, [Gr. Lettourgoi. Which word we here see to be used, not only of the Ecclesiastical Ministries, as Acts 13:2. but also of politick and civil administrations. See also Romans 15:27. Hebrews 1:14.] being continually busied [Gr. Persevering to this same thing i.e. continually abiding labour, difficulty, trouble and care in this service. See of this word Acts 1:14.] in this same thing. [namely, to serve God in governing of the people.]

7. Give therefore [Gr. Render or, recompense every one to their dues] to every one [namely, Magistrates, although it may also be taken in general] that which ye owe: tribute [it is properly that which is laid upon personal or real estate] to whom ye (owe) tribute: custom [it is that which is laid upon merchandise, or upon goods and wares that are imported exported] to who ye (owe) costume: fear to whom ye (owe) fear: [namely, to the Magistrates and their offices, whom they make use to punish evil doers] honour, to whom ye (owe) honor, [namely, to Magistrates, whether they be high or low, 1 Pet. 2.17.]

8. Be not ought indebted to any man, [That is, pay every one that whereunto ye are engaged into him, whether is money, service or anything else; which when it is not done, the engagement and debt remained] but to love one another. [for that engagement can never be done away, or paid off, but remains always fresh, which must continually be paid] For he that loveth another, [that is, his neighbor] he hath fulfilled [that is, done and observed that , not only which was required of one or two commandments, but in all commandments together, in respect of all the parts of them: although in regard of the degrees of perfection, no man can fulfill the same in this life, seeing our love is still imperfect here, 1 Kings 8:46. Psalms 19:13. Proverbs 20:9. James 3:2.1. Job 1:8.] the Law [that is, the commandments of the second Table of the Law, as is declared in the following verse.]

9. For this, thou shalt not commit adultery , [The Apostle keeps not the order of the commandments, as they are propounded in the ten commandments, because that matters not so much, so that all the commandments be but well kept] 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 comprehended as in a capital sum, in this word, [that is, in this one commandment] (namely) in this, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self.

10. Love [Here he describes the nature of love, as also 1 Cor. 13] doth not ill to his neighbor, Therefore is love the fulfilling of the Law. [See v. 8. and 1 Tim. 1.5.]

11. And this (I say the rather) seeing we know the opportunity of time, [that is, seeing we are now more unbelieving, as we were in former times, being in the dark night of ignorance, Ephesians 4:18. Colossians 1:13. 1 John 2:8. but seeing Christ the son of righteousness, Malachi 4:2. and the light of the world, John 8:12. hath now appeared to us] that it is the hour that we now awake out of sleep: [namely, of sin, Ephesians 5:14. 1 The. 5.6.] for salvation [or our salvation is now nearer i.e. the price of our heavenly calling in Christ Jesus, which we run and pursue after, 1 Cor. 9. v24,25. Philippians 3:14. is now nearer to us [that is, we are now by our Christian course come nearer to the same, shortly to lay hold of it, Philippians 3:12. 1 Tim. 6.12. and therefore we must not faint before we have finished this Christian race, 2 Tim. 4.7. Seeing it would be great shame and loss, that being come so nigh through fainting or turning away we should not obtain the same, For by how much nearer any one cometh to the prize, so much that the faster he ought to run] then when we (first) believed. [that is, when we were first called and converted to the faith of Christ.]

12. The night [Nam. Of ignorance, 1 The. 5.5.] is passed away, [the Greek word signifies that the most part hereof is passed. For all darkness is not yet perfectly done away out of our heart, 1 Cor. 13.9.10.] and the day [namely, of saving knowledge. V. 13. 1 Thes. 5.5] is come nigh, of Christ, yet not perfect as long as we are in this life, but have such a light as there is when the day begins to break and wax light] Let us therefore put off [namely, as men when it becomes day cast away cloathsand coverings, and have no more to do with them, Ephesians 4:22.] the works of darkness, [that is, sins, which they are yet in ignorance are wont to commit, and especially those ugly sins which men are even ashamed to do publicly in the light, but which they commit by night in darkness, Job 24:15,16. Jo. 3.20.21. 1 Thes. 5.7. whereof some are rehearsed in the following verse] and upon on [or draw on, as they do who arising from sleep draw on their cloths to cover their nakedness, and to walk honestly in the day] the arms [this word signifies all that wherewith the is covered against all wounding: & here are understood by all manner of Christian virtues, wherewith our soul are not only clad & adorned, but also as it were armed against the wounds & temptations of the devil, and the flesh See Romans 6:3. 2 Cor. 6.7. Ephesians 6:11,12. etc. 1 Th. 5.8.] of light. [that is, which proceeds from the true knowledge of God, and to his glory gives light before men, and which becomes those who are called to this light, and will walk honestly in the light.]

13. Let us walk [That is, order our lives and converse amongst them] decently [that is, not only our piously before God, but also fairly and honestly before men] as in the day: [that is, as becometh those, to whom by the grace of God the light of saving the knowledge hath appeared] not in rioting [whereby are understood not honorable and moderate feasts, Genesis 21:8. Job 2:1. but gluttonous and immoderate, in which all manners of excess, wantonness, dancing and immodest practiced] and drunkenness, [or immoderate swallowing of wine or strong drink, Isaiah 5:22.] not in bed-chambers [that is, adultery and fornications, which are commonly practiced in bed-chambers] and immodesties, [that is, lascivious unchaste wantonness] not in strife and envying.

14. But put on [Or draw on, as your garment or armour] the Lord Jesus Christ, [namely, by faith receiving his righteousness, and imitating all his virtues, cloathing and adorning your soul therewithal, Galatians 3:27.] and take not care [Gr. Make no provision of the flesh] for the flesh [that is, the body, whereby it is not forbidden that men might provide the body of a decent garment, meat, drink, physic and other things necessary for sustentation of the same: for that is even commended, Ephesians 5:29. 1 Tim. 5.8,23. but not satisfy the same in its sinful lusts 1 Cor. 9.27.] unto lusts. [namely, which tend to intemperance, pride, gluttony, unchaste ness, therein to feed it, and to give it its desire, 1 John 2:16.]