Still others sleep the sleep of spiritual death, as did certain Christians in Corinth. they cry, but they sleep anyway; and, while they sleep, there comes inevitably the hour when it is too late, and for them, as for Samson, they are led away to the blinding irons and the mill and the work of an ass until life is ended. Some think the passage should be understood thus: We have now many advantages which we did not formerly possess. Present-day lawgivers are not wiser than God who laid down such penalties and enforced them in the Old Testament dispensation. 1. Romans 13:13 - Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. Romans 13, Geneva Study Bible, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary of the Old and New Testament was penned by John Calvin, Martin Luther and Huldrych Zwingli. The necessity of subjection, Romans 13:5. The manifestation of the Messiah is regularly termed by the ancient Jews יום yom, day, because previously to this all is night, Bereshith rabba sect. More might be justly said, but when I have mentioned all these things, (and I mention them with exultation; and with gratitude to God), I need scarcely add the venerable name of George the Third, king of Great Britain; as every reader will at once perceive that the description suits no potentate besides. Love worketh no ill - As he that loves another will act towards that person as, on a reverse of circumstances, he would that his neighbor should act towards him; therefore, this love can never work ill towards another: and, on this head, i.e. Christians should love one another, Romans 13:8-10. I know the truth!" Don't throw it away, or allow some revolutionary to rape you intellectually and rob you of it. Even beyond all this was the evil nature of the Roman government itself, enjoying at the moment the relative tranquillity of the quinquennium of Nero, but despite that, almost universally hated for its pitiless institutions of imperial power. (Romans 13:1). Thus, "day" in this passage, having reference to the same time, means "at the present time, in the gospel age.". The necessity of immediate conversion to God proved from the shortness and uncertainty of time, Romans 13:11, Romans 13:12. He could always rise to the occasion. Also, there were certain Christian practices which might have led them easily to despise the state. The character of a lawful civil governor, Romans 13:4. There is no suggestion here that the evil laws of Rome may be justified, nor the evil laws of any other state; but, in the light of Christian acceptance of such laws under the direct guidance of Christ and the apostles, the conclusion is demanded that the constituted government must be viewed as "ordained of God" and entitled to Christian obedience. His views in writing are always comprehensive on every point; and he takes into his thoughts and instructions all parties that might probably reap any benefit by them. on StudyLight.org Some are already so far gone into such a fatal sleep that they cannot hear the cries of loved ones, nor the message of the gospel, nor the roar of the waves of Jordan. Had there been any doubt, up to here, that the total establishment of human government is to be honored, respected, and obeyed by Christians, upon pain of God's displeasure if they fail, it would have been effectively removed by this blanket inclusion of "all." That such was actually Paul's meaning here is evident from a comparison with Ephesians 5:14, quoted under Romans 13:11, above, where "Christ will shine upon you," does not mean at the judgment, but right now! May all the sleepers be aroused by the call of the apostle's words here. Render therefore to all their dues - This is an extensive command. The armor of light was available for all who would receive and wear it. 'Therefore, let us cast off - let us live as candidates for this eternal glory. 2. Strife and jealousy ... refer to the animosities of men inflamed with liquor, sated with vice, and living the lives of debauchees. Keep it! serum. Unbridled human nature is a savage beast that lies restless, and uneasy under the restraint imposed by the state, being ever ready, at the slightest opportunity, to break its chains and ravage the world with blood and terror. That they might not mistake his meaning concerning the decent clothing which he exhorts them to walk in, he immediately explains himself by the use of a common form of speech, and says, still following his metaphor, Put on the Lord Jesus Christ - receive his doctrine, copy his example, and seek the things which belong to another life; for the Gentiles thought of little else than making provision for the flesh or body, to gratify its animal desires and propensities. In Romans 13:4, διάκονος is used for minister. Illustration: On the night of September 2,1757, when the soldiers of the Marquis de Montcalm, commandant of the French army of Quebec, retired to their tents, they slept the sleep of insecurity. To fulfill the lusts thereof - Εις επιθυμιας, in reference to its lusts; such as the κωμοι, κοιται, μεθαι, and ασελγειαι, rioting, drunkenness, prostitutions, and uncleanness, mentioned, Romans 13:13, to make provision for which the Gentiles lived and labored, and bought and sold, and schemed and planned; for it was the whole business of their life to gratify the sinful lusts of the flesh. 91, fol. He is the minister of God - the office is by Divine appointment: the man who is worthy of the office will act in conformity to the will of God: and as the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears open to their cry, consequently the ruler will be the minister of God to them for good. Without such constituted authority, the whole world would sink in me chaos and ruin. The day is at hand - the full manifestation of the Sun of righteousness, in the illumination of the whole Gentile world approaches rapidly. And make not provision for the flesh - By flesh we are here to understand, not only the body, but all the irregular appetites and passions which led to the abominations already recited. Choose a verse from 'Romans 13' to begin your 'Verse-by-Verse' study of God's Word using the more than 100 commentaries available on StudyLight.org [5] J. Barmby, The Pulpit Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. His reference to Christ's coming, and such expression as "the day is at hand," applied to the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the judicial coming of Christ in that epic event. on StudyLight.org Home; Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary; Romans; Chapter … If he should use this to wrong, rob, spoil, oppress, and persecute his subjects, he is not only a bad man, but also a bad prince. Be rigidly just; withhold neither from the king nor his ministers, nor his officers of justice and revenue, nor from even the lowest of the community, what the laws of God and your country require you to pay. Test drive it and tell us about your experience. Putting on , or being clothed with Jesus Christ, signifies receiving and believing the Gospel ; and consequently taking its maxims for the government of life, having the mind that was in Christ. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). A Christian is prohibited from any such role, nor may he even "resist" (13:2), a conclusion that is based not alone on what Paul wrote here, but also upon the fact that no Christian of the apostolic age ever did anything remotely akin to pulling down a government. The "judgment" in this place refers primarily to the legal punishment of violators of the state's laws; but the displeasure of God regarding such violations implies that there will also be an eternal accounting to God for such sins. To see with what propriety the apostle introduces the important subjects which he handles in this chapter, it is necessary to make a few remarks on the circumstances in which the Church of God then was. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? "Worthy of" (Philippians 1:27) and "befitting" (Titus 2:1) are two examples. There was a man who knew all the dangers, but slept anyway. On the other hand, when a king governs according to the constitution of his realms and has his heart and life governed by the laws of his God, he is then a double blessing to his people; while he is ruling carefully according to the laws, his pious example is a great means of extending and confirming the reign of pure morality among his subjects. See several other examples in Kypke. More resources, better tools and easier navigation Test drive it and tell us about your experience. Some sleep the sleep of the sluggard (Proverbs 24:30-34). Kypke on this place has quoted some good authorities for the above distinction and signification. The sleep of those Christians had been induced by their neglect of the Lord's Supper and public worship, which shows how easily people may slip into such a deadly sleep. A fire may sweep through the city, a revolution rage in the streets, or a tornado bear down upon him, but he knows it not. Thus, it might be concluded that he was merely unconscious due to the fall. This cannot mean that the shameful deeds, of evil rulers are ever in any manner approved of God. I have only one abatement to make: had this potentate been as adverse from War as he was from public and private vices, he would have been the most immaculate sovereign that ever held a scepter or wore a crown. To that affluent host of Christians in present-day America, let it be thundered that they must not now allow the submerged torrent of blood, lust, and anarchy to break through. Let all hear it from the word of God, if they are so blind as to be unable to read it in history, that the policeman also is God's man, and that without him there is nothing. An assassin may slay him, a thief despoil him, or any unexpected peril overcome him; and, regardless of what might occur, he is vulnerable, asleep, in danger. Romans 12:12 - rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, on StudyLight.org Provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof ... refers to the investment of time, preparation and money in such a manner as to allow or facilitate the gratification of fleshly lusts. Only a few sentries were left to guard the heights overlooking the mighty St. Lawrence river; but, while they slept, the soldiers of General Wolfe scaled the heights of the river and defeated the French the next morning on the plains of Abraham. Romans 6:1-13 Though justified by grace, we may not live in sin; since the very figure of baptism requireth us to die. Thus, Stanley Baldwin described the disastrous effects which always accompany the dissolution of states and the breakdown of authority. This, of course, is a euphemism for death, the sleep from which one does not awaken until the sound of the trumpet and the gathering of the hosts for judgment. Of such, one can hear the Master say, "What, could ye not watch with me one hour?". Significantly, even in that last statement, Paul did not indicate that he expected the immediate second coming of Christ. Becomingly, as in the day ... suggests the beauty and adornment of Christian behavior, which is of a kind not to be ashamed of in broad open daylight, contrasting sharply with the Gentile debaucheries usually committed at night, and therefore called the works of darkness (Romans 13:12). Owe no man any thing, but to love one another - In the preceding verses the apostle has been showing the duty, reverence, and obedience, which all Christians, from the highest to the lowest, owe to the civil magistrate; whether he be emperor, king, proconsul, or other state officer; here he shows them their duty to each other: but this is widely different from that which they owe to the civil government: to the first they owe subjection, reverence, obedience, and tribute; to the latter they owe nothing but mutual love, and those offices which necessarily spring from it. See many pertinent examples in Kypke. Sorry but your search resulted in no verses being found. of sin; but we are still the servants of sin, if we This is in reference to what is said, Romans 13:13: Let us put on decent garments-let us make a different profession, unite with other company, and maintain that profession by a suitable conduct. Much of the vilification, harassment, and warring against policemen in the current era has blinded some good people to the absolute indispensability of governmental authority, including an effective police establishment. Bible Study Tools Language Tools Historical Writings Pastoral Resources Personal Resources Site Resources advertisement. - Dr. Taylor's Notes, page 352. Choose a verse from 'Romans 3' to begin your 'Verse-by-Verse' study of God's Word using the more than 100 commentaries available on StudyLight.org Government is thus elevated into the sphere of religion. Home > Study Desk. The Adam Clarke Commentary. It was not merely dawn, but daylight had fully burst upon them. For rulers are not a terror to good works - Here the apostle shows the civil magistrate what he should be: he is clothed with great power, but that power is entrusted to him, not for the terror and oppression of the upright man, but to overawe and punish the wicked. And what is this solemn doctrine? They ever stand, electric, upon the sacred page: Nearer than when we first believed ... is far from being a statement that it was, even at that time, "near" in the sense of soon. Christ never led a riot, organized an underground, criticized the government, or took the part of the Jews against Rome. Capital punishment is clearly allowed to be a legitimate prerogative of human government, by Paul's statements here. - As in the day, let us walk honestly (in the sense which honeste bears in Latin of decently, becomingly, with de. Parallel Verses. Christians should love one another, Romans 13:8-10. Test drive it and tell us about your experience. Thus, all that was said of policemen in Romans 13:1-5 is likewise applied here to all servants and officers of the secular state. Some sleep the sleep of Eutychus, the sleep of the injured. It would be easy, in running over the list of our own kings, to point out several who were deservedly reputed good kings, who in their private life were very immoral. with Christ unto sin, that we may lead a new life of. The widespread Jewish attitude toward Rome was well known in Paul's day, and there can be little doubt that practically all of the Christians sympathized with it and were strongly tempted to aid the Jewish cause. So Dionysius Hal., Antiq., lib. The word here brings out more fully the fact that the ruler, like the priest, discharges a divinely ordained service. ii., page 307. Choose a verse from 'Romans 16' to begin your 'Verse-by-Verse' study of God's Word using the more than 100 commentaries available on StudyLight.org Paul's imagery here still refers to sleepers waiting too long to rouse out of slumber. And practices of the most abandoned and dissolute sort? And wantonness - Ασελγειαις, All manner of uncleanness and sodomitical practices. It is a comment upon the extreme worthiness of our own government, as compared to other worldly states, that many Christians do share in the management of its institutions and hold offices of public trust, the nation being far better off for the presence of such citizens within the structure of its political and institutions. Jesus Christ our Lord never disobeyed any law, nor did he ever advocate disobedience, or any other kind of disobedience. No, indeed. Can any man suppose that this address is to the Christians at Rome? The old sins and debaucheries of the pagan darkness must be cast off. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead, Isaiah 26:19. Christ himself honored God's ordained institution, the state, ordered the payment of taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:21), declared that the authority of the procurator, Pontius Pilate, was given to him "from above" (John 19:11), prophetically identified the armies of Vespasian and Titus as those of God himself sent for the purpose of destroying those evil men and burning their city, the city of Jerusalem (Matthew 22:7), submitted to arrest, even illegal and unjust arrest (Matthew 26:47-56), refused to allow Peter to defend with the sword against such an outrage, and meekly accepted the death penalty itself, which the state unjustly exacted, and which Christ had ample means of avoiding (Matthew 26:53), but did not. Every man's salvation is nearer as life unfolds; and, for every man, it is sealed and assured, when his faithfulness has been manifested even unto the end. In this connection, a little further attention to Christ's teachings in this sector is helpful. "The attentive reader will be pleased to see with what dexterity, truth, and gravity the apostle, in a small compass, affirms and explains the foundation, nature, ends, and just limits of the magistrate's authority, while he is pleading his cause, and teaching the subject the duty and obedience he owes to the civil government." Romans 6:9 - knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 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. Ye are not bound in obedience to them as to the civil magistrate; for to him ye must needs be subject, not merely for fear of punishment, but for conscience sake: but to these ye are bound by love; and by that love especially which utterly prevents you from doing any thing by which a brother may sustain any kind of injury. 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