CHAPTER 13

(A.D. 60)

HONOR AUTHORITY

¹Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers (refers to Human Government). For there is no power but of God (refers to the fact that God has ordained Government): the powers that be are ordained of God (refers to Human Government being a permanent institution, brought into being by God for the regulation of human affairs).

²Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the Ordinance of God (anarchy is not of God): and they who resist shall receive to themselves damnation (the Law of the Land is always to be obeyed, providing it does not offend our conscience or the Word of God; the damnation mentioned here does not necessarily refer to such coming from God, but rather from men).

³For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil (concerns the Divine right of Government to oppose crime and to protect its citizens). Will you then not be afraid of the power? (This means that Civil Government should be respected, and all should fear breaking the Law.) do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same (refers to obeying the Law, as all Christians ought to do; as well, it assumes that the Laws are right and just):

⁴For he (the Civil Magistrate) is the minister of God to you for good (proclaims Government as a Divine Institution). But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain (the sword is the symbol of the right of the State to inflict Capital punishment for Capital crimes): for he is the minister of God (not a Preacher of the Gospel, but a servant of the State), a revenger to execute wrath upon him who does evil (proclaims the right of the State, as ordained by God, to use whatever force is necessary to stop evil, i.e., crime).

⁵Wherefore you must needs be subject (plainly tells us that Christians are subject to the Law of the Land; that is, if it does not violate the Word of God), not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake (refers to the fact that the Believer has a higher principle than that of the unbeliever).

⁶For for this cause pay ye tribute also (refers to the paying of taxes): for they are Gods ministers, attending continually upon this very thing (refers to public servants).

⁷Render therefore to all their dues (means that it is proper and right for all people to pay taxes, Christians as well!): tribute to whom tribute is due(refers to that which is owed, and should be paid); custom to whom custom (addresses hidden taxes, which we should pay as well); fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour (Government is an Institution to be respected, extending to all Civil servants from the lowest to the highest).

PUBLIC RELATIONSHIPS

⁸Owe no man any thing (carries the idea that Christians do not owe their Brethren in the Lord the same obedience that is owed Civil Rulers), but to love one another (proclaims the only requirement between Believers): for he who loves another has fulfilled the Law (pertains to what the Law of Moses intended, but wasnt able to bring about; it can be done under Christ, and Christ Alone).

⁹For this, You shall not commit adultery (sex in any form outside of marriage is unlawful [Gen. 2:23-24]), You shall not kill (should have been translated, murder), You shall not steal (dont take whats not yours), You shall not bear false witness (dont lie), You shall not covet (do not try to unlawfully take that which belongs to another); and if there be any other Commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbour as yourself (Divine Love produced by the Holy Spirit is self-sacrificial in its nature).

¹⁰Love works no ill to his neighbour (will not hurt his neighbor): therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law (proclaims the fact that this is all the Law formally requires, but can only be done in Christ).

¹¹And that, knowing the time (the Believer is to do everything with the Judgment Seat of Christ in view), and now it is high time to awake out of sleep (spiritual apathy and lethargy must be shaken off): for now is our Salvation nearer than when we believed (actually speaks of the coming Rapture of the Church, and the Believer at that time being Glorified).

¹²The night is far spent, the day is at hand (refers to everything up until the coming Resurrection as night; all after the Resurrection is referred to as day, with both day and night used as symbols): let us therefore cast off the works of darkness (could be translated, let us therefore cast off the clothes of darkness; former bad habits of life are here, as elsewhere, regarded as clothing once worn, but now to be put off), and let us put on the armour of light (could be translated, and let us put on the clothes of Light).

¹³Let us walk honestly, as in the day (we should conduct ourselves in a manner befitting our high station in life as Saints of the Most High God); not in rioting and drunkenness (the ways of the world), not in chambering and wantonness (speaks of sexual immorality of every nature), not in strife and envying (speaks of constant manipulation and exploitation to best others regarding business, place, or position).

¹⁴But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ (avail yourself of all that Christ has accomplished at the Cross, which is available to all Believers), and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof(Faith in the Cross will give the Holy Spirit latitude within our lives, which alone gives us victory over the flesh).