Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Ver. 1. _Let every soul be subject_] In things lawful only; for else we must answer as those apostles did, Acts 4:29, and as Polycarp, who being commanded to blaspheme Christ,... [ Continue Reading ]
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Ver. 2. _Resisteth the power_] His authoritative commands, not his personal. _ Receive to themselves damnation_] κριμα, 1 Corinthians 11:31,32. _Poenam sibi auferent... [ Continue Reading ]
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: Ver. 3. _For rulers, are not, &c._] They should not be. But Jeroboam set a net on Mizpeh, and spread a snare upon Tabor, to watch who... [ Continue Reading ]
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to _execute_ wrath upon him that doeth evil. Ver. 4. _For he is the minister_] It was written upon the sword of Charles the G... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore _ye_ must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. Ver. 5. _But also for conscience sake_] Good rulers we must obey as God; bad, for God. δια τον θεον. (Basil.)... [ Continue Reading ]
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Ver. 6. _Attending continually_] As born for the benefit of many. The Parliament in the 25 Edward III is known to posterity by the name of _Benedictam Parliamentum, _ Blessed Parliament... [ Continue Reading ]
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute _is due_; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Ver. 7. _Render therefore to all their dues_] He saith not their unjust exactions. Melancthon makes mention of a cruel prince, that to get money from his subjects,... [ Continue Reading ]
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Ver. 8. _Owe no man, &c._] The Persians reckoned these two for very great sins: 1. To be in debt. 2. To tell a lie; the latter being often the fruit of the former. (Xenophon, Gell. xii. 1.) By the 12 t... [ Continue Reading ]
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, 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 briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Ver. 9. _Briefly compre... [ Continue Reading ]
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love _is_ the fulfilling of the law. Ver. 10. _The fulfilling of the law_] The filling up of the law in this, that it closeth the duties of the law with the glory of a due manner, and seateth them upon their due subjects, with the unwearied labours of... [ Continue Reading ]
And that, knowing the time, that now _it is_ high time to awake out of sleep: for now _is_ our salvation nearer than when we believed. Ver. 11. _To awake out of sleep_] While the crocodile sleepeth with open mouth, the Indian rat gets into his stomach, and eateth through his entrails. While Ishbosh... [ Continue Reading ]
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Ver. 12. _The night_] Here it is taken for all unregeneracy, which (as the night) is full of error, terror, &c. _Nox pudore vacat._ This night with the saints is far s... [ Continue Reading ]
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. Ver. 13. _Let us walk honestly_] Handsomely, fashionably, mannerly, with a holy shamefacedness (ευσχημονως). _ Not in chambering_] Properly, lying a-bed or long-lying ... [ Continue Reading ]
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to _fulfil_ the lusts _thereof_. Ver. 14. _But put ye on_] Augustine confesseth that he was converted by reading and pondering this text. _ And make not provision_] Make not projects, cater not for the flesh.... [ Continue Reading ]