Romans 13:3

The passage distinctly forbids revolutionary action in a Christian. Action within the limits of the existing constitution he may employ; for the constitution is, in fact, the "power that is," be it good or bad. But he must not plotfor its demolition, nor indeed actfor its demolition in any way of "violence;" be it violence of deed or word, violence direct or indirect.

For rulers, &c. St Paul enforces the certainty of "judgment" in this case by pointing out its manifest justice. "Rulers" (lit. the rulers, rulers as a class,) are, as a fact, an agency on the side of right and order; it is justly, then, a sin in the sight of God to resist their authority. No doubt the statement here is never fullyrealized save where the rulers are personally just and the constitution equitable; (and by no means always, in detail, even then). But the statement is not to be limited to such cases. Civil authority, even in its most distorted forms, never systematically favours wrong as wrongand punishes right as right. Even when a Nero or a Decius persecuted the Church of Christ, the theoryof persecution (apart from personal rancour) was the preservation of order; and meantime, in the innumerable details of the common life of the Roman world, the authority of a Nero or a Decius was a necessity and a providential blessing.

Wilt thou then not be afraid With the fear of an enemy;the feeling of a weaker towards a stronger opponent. "Then" is lit. but; and so better, perhaps: But wilt thou not, &c. Q. d., "But if, as a fact, they area terror to thee, and thou willest to shake off that terror the remedy is simple; be a good citizen and subject."

praise That at least of protection and security; the "good" referred to in the next clause.