Wesley's Explanatory Notes
Romans 13:4
The sword — The instrument of capital punishment, which God authorizes him to inflict.
The sword — The instrument of capital punishment, which God authorizes him to inflict.
Verse Romans 13:4. _FOR HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD TO THEE FOR GOOD_] Here the apostle puts the character of the ruler in the strongest possible light. _He is the minister of God_-the office is by Div...
THE MINISTER OF GOD - The “servant” of God he is appointed by God to do his will, and to execute his purposes. “To thee.” For your benefit. FOR GOOD - That is, to protect you in your rights; to vindic...
CHAPTER 13 _ 1. Obedience to Authorities. (Romans 13:1 .)_ 2. Love the Fulfilling of the Law. (Romans 13:8 .) 3. The Day is at Hand. (Romans 13:11 .)...
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...
THE CHRISTIAN AND THE STATE (Romans 13:1-7)...
Let everyone render due obedience to those who occupy positions of outstanding authority, for there is no authority which is not allotted its place by God, for the authorities which exist have been se...
THE. a. MINISTER. App-190. BEARETH. weareth. Greek. _phoreo._ Elsewhere, Matthew 11:8. Joh 19:5. 1 Corinthians 15:49; 1 Corinthians 15:49;...
The passage by no means forbids Christians to take full advantage of existing authority and law; as St Paul himself took advantage of his civil rights. But its unmistakable drift is, what is always th...
ἜΚΔΙΚΟΣ ΕἸΣ ὈΡΓῊΝ. Cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:6 : for the execution of wrath; the wrath of offended authority....
F. 12–15:13. THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL SEEN IN ITS EFFECT UPON BOTH THE COMMON AND THE INDIVIDUAL LIFE OF CHRISTIANS. In this section S. Paul deals with the consequences of the principles he has worked...
1–7. Relation to civil authorities. There is no introduction or formula of connexion. This is still part of the new σωφροσύνη. It is to be observed that the reasons for civil obedience are fully and c...
Romans 13:1-10. The true relation to the civil power and the outside world....
ΣΟΊ _dat. sing. от_ ΣΎ (G4771) ты. "Тебе" "для тебя" этический _dat._ (RWP). ΠΟΙΉΣ _praes. conj. act. от_ ΠΟΙΈΩ (G4160) делать. _Conj._ с ΈΆΝ (G1437) в _conj._ 3 типа, предполагающем возможность усло...
DISCOURSE: 1911 DUTY TO CIVIL GOVERNORS Romans 13:1. 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. Whosoever therefore res...
FOR HE BEARETH NOT THE SWORD IN VAIN— This strongly intimates the lawfulness of inflicting capital punishments; to deny which, is in effectsubverting the chief use of magistrates; though sanguinary la...
_TEXT_ Romans 13:1-7. 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. Romans 13:2 Therefore he that resisteth the po...
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...
__ The Conduct of the Saints 14 The conduct of the saints in any given economy is based on God's dispensation. If He dispenses law, He requires conduct in accord with law. Mercy calls for a higher s...
PARAPHRASE. '(1) Obey civil rulers, for they are divinely ordained, (2) and therefore God will punish disobedience. (3, 4) They do God's work, rewarding the good and punishing the evil. (5) Therefore...
REVENGER] RV 'avenger.' Wrath] i.e. God's anger against evil-doing....
PAUL’S LETTER TO THE *ROMANS ROMANS _HILDA BRIGHT AND KEITH SIMONS_ CHAPTER 13 A CHRISTIAN’S DUTY TO THE STATE 13:1-7 V1 Everyone ought to obey their rulers. No government has authority unless G...
THE SWORD. — Not apparently the dagger worn by the Roman emperors, but, in a strict sense, “the sword.” “To bear the sword” seems to be a recognised Greek phrase to express the power of the magistrate...
XIII. (1-7) SUBJECT UNTO THE HIGHER POWERS. — Looking impartially at the passage which follows, it would seem at first sight — and perhaps not only at first sight — that the Apostle distinctly preach...
CHAPTER 27 CHRISTIAN DUTY; IN CIVIL LIFE AND OTHERWISE: Romans 13:1 A NEW topic now emerges, distinct, yet in close and natural connection. We have been listening to precepts for personal and social...
θεοῦ γὰρ διάκονός ἐστιν σοὶ εἰς τὸ ἀγαθόν. διάκονός is feminine agreeing with ἐξουσία, which is “almost personified” (Sanday and Headlam). The σοὶ is not immediately dependent on διάκονός, as if the S...
RENDERING “TO ALL THEIR DUES” Romans 13:1 Human government, like the existence of the family relationship, is a divine institution. It is part of the order of the world and rooted in the original con...
The apostle now showed what attitude the believer will take toward the world. The first thing dealt with is submission to authority. These powers are of God. The believer's submission to the will of G...
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. (6) 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 (c) revenger to [execute] wrath...
“ _For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.Now wouldest thou not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same; for he is the minister of G...
TWENTY-SIXTH PASSAGE (13:1-10). THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER AS A MEMBER OF THE STATE. Meyer and many others find no connection whatever between the subject treated in this chapter and that of the foregoi...
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. (2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God:...
The circumstances under which the epistle to the Romans was written gave occasion to the most thorough and comprehensive unfolding, not of the church, but of Christianity. No apostle had ever yet visi...
_THE MINISTRY OF MONARCHY_ ‘He is a minister of God to thee for good.’ Romans 13:4 So speaks the Apostle of the empire-monarchy of his own time, of its head, and of its officers. Minister of God: t...
4._For he is God’s minister for good, etc. _Magistrates may hence learn what their vocation is, for they are not to rule for their own interest, but for the public good; nor are they endued with unbri...
Among themselves Christians are exhorted not to seek the high things of this world, but to walk as brethren with those of low degree: a precept too much forgotten in the assembly of God to her loss. I...
FOR HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD TO THEE FOR GOOD,.... He is a minister of God's appointing and commissioning, that acts under him, and for him, is a kind of a vicegerent of his, and in some, sense repre...
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 hi...
_For rulers_ In general, notwithstanding some particular exceptions; _are not a terror to good works_ Were not ordained, and do not use to punish those that do well, and conform to good laws; _but to...
HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD; the magistrate is His servant. TO THEE FOR GOOD; made a ruler, not for his own good, but the good of the people whose interests he is bound to promote. NOT THE SWORD IN VAI...
OF OBEDIENCE TO THE GOVERNMENT, LOVE TOWARD ONE'S NEIGHBOR, AND THE WALK IN THE LIGHT. Government powers of God:...
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...
SUBJECTION TO PROPER AUTHORITY This chapter is as clear as can be in its teaching: nothing but a spirit of rebellion could find difficulty with it - except possibly in the matter of how far this subje...
Every soul = all people, every person Subject = submit to, obey their directions, orders All power is from God - Hitler, Saddam Hussein, etc. are from God. We may not understand their purpose; "Why...
FOR HE IS. 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. MINISTER OF GOD, AN AVENGER FOR WRATH TO HIM THAT DOETH EVIL...
1-7 The grace of the gospel teaches us submission and quiet, where pride and the carnal mind only see causes for murmuring and discontent. Whatever the persons in authority over us themselves may be,...
FOR HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD TO THEE FOR GOOD: q.d. That is the end of his office, and for this reason God hath invested him with his authority. The Scripture applieth the same title to him that prea...
for he is a minister of God to thee for good. [The law-abiding have no fear of the laws, and have just reason to expect the recognition and consideration which are the rightful dues of honesty and pro...
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book V And again, in reference to them he says, "For he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, the avenger for wrath to him who does evil."[210] Tert...
Romans 13:4 For G1063 is G2076 (G5748) Gods G2316 minister G1249 you G4671 for G1519 good G18 But...
‘Do what is good, And you will have praise from the same, For he is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, Be afraid, for he bears not the sword in vain, For he is a minis...
THE CHRISTIAN'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE STATE (13:1-7). Having called on Christians ‘not to be conformed to this world' (Romans 12:2), and having indicated that vengeance for wrongdoing lay in God's hand...
Romans 13:4. FOR HE IS GOD'S MINISTER TO THEE FOR GOOD. This is a purpose for which civil government was ordained of God (the word ‘God's' is in emphatic position). By the fulfilment of this purpose t...
3. _The Christian's Duty to Rulers_. This exhortation has seemed to many out of place, since in Romans 13:8 the precepts resume their general character, and the connection with what precedes is not ob...
A MINISTER OF GOD (θεου διακονος). General sense of διακονος. Of course even Nero was God's minister "to thee (σο ethical dative) for good (εις το αγαθον, for the good)." That is the ideal, the goa...
Romans 13:4 I. In the chapter from which my text is taken St. Paul speaks of civil rulers as ministers of God. He does not limit or soften his language to suit the circumstances of his own time. Nero'...
CONTENTS: Believer's attitude toward civil government. Law of love toward neighbors. CHARACTERS: God, Jesus, Paul. CONCLUSION: Obedience to civil magistrates is one of the laws of Christ whose relig...
Romans 13:1. _Let every soul be subject to the higher powers,_ of magistrates, governors, proconsuls, kings, and emperors. The christian finds them in power; they allow us to lock our doors at night,...
FOR HE IS GOD'S SERVANT. The ruler is to guard order and preserve peace. In this he is God's servant. BUT IF YOU DO EVIL. In just a few years, Jewish armed terrorists rebelled against the Roman govern...
_Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers._ For there is no power but of God. LET EVERY SOUL BE SUBJECT UNTO THE HIGHER POWERS I. Every soul, or man (Exodus 12:4; Genesis 46:27). 1. Secula...
_For rulers are not a terror to good works._ THE DUTIES OF RULERS AND SUBJECTS I. Of rulers. 1. To protect the good. 2. To restrain the evil. 3. To reward merit. II. Of subjects. 1. To respect...
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 13:1 Christians are to BE SUBJECT TO (which generally means to obey, see 1 Peter 3:5) the government because it has been put in place by God. Severa
ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 13:4 Governing authorities are God’s servants, for they carry out his WRATH on evildoers, and they do so FOR YOUR GOOD. Even though Christians must not take personal revenge ...
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 13:1.—Let every one submit to the authorities that are over him. A precept made remarkable by the time in which it was written. πᾶσα ψυχή, every soul; every office-bearer as we...
EXPOSITION ROMANS 13:1 From admonitions to keep peace, if possible, with all men, whether or not within the Christian circle, and to act honourably and benevolently towards all, the apostle now passe...
Shall we turn in our Bibles to Romans 13. As Christians, what should be our attitude towards government? Paul declares, Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of...
1 Kings 10:9; 2 Chronicles 19:6; Ecclesiastes 8:2; Ezekiel 22:27;...
Beareth [φ ο ρ ε ι]. Beareth and weareth. A frequentative form of ferw to bear. Sword [μ α χ α ι ρ α ν]. See on Revelation 6:4. Borne as the symbol of the magistrate's right to inflict capital punishm...
(CF. ROMANS 13:4)— Did Jesus repudiate capital punishment in this text? PROBLEM: Passages like Romans 13:4 present a good case for capital punishment, for the passage says, “for it [the government] do...
Here the apostle subjoins. reason, why. magistrate is not to be unduly dreaded and feared by his subjects who live well, for HE IS by his institution THE MINISTER OF GOD TO THEE FOR GOOD, if thou bees...