Romans 13:1-7

Order and Loyalty. On the turbulence of Roman Jews, see Introd. § 3.

Romans 13:1 f. Let every soul be subordinate to superior authorities, a general maxim, with two reasons given: that authority is of Divine institution (cf. John 19:11; Psalms 82:6, etc.), and that the existing authorities (of the Empire) are ordained by God, so that he who is insubordinate resists the ordinance of God and resisters will incur judgment. There is a play on the idea of order. In later and worse times Paul maintained the same attitude toward civil government; see 1 Timothy 2:1 ff., Titus 3:1, also 1 Peter 2:13 (cf. pp. 774 f.).

Romans 13:3 f. The state-rulers are ministers of God's avenging anger (cf. Romans 12:19, Romans 1:18).

Romans 13:5. The Christian, moreover, is subject. for conscience'sake.

Romans 13:6 f. On the same account taxes, direct or indirect, must be paid (cf. Matthew 22:21), and along with them fear and honour wherever due. The state-servants are sacred-ministers (same word as in Romans 15:16; Romans 15:27) of God for the maintenance of civil society. Paul's urgency points to symptoms of Anarchism, as well as Antinomianism (cf. Romans 6:1).