EVERYONE MUST OBEY THE STATE AUTHORITIES. Paul is telling Christians to obey the Roman government that would soon be persecuting them. This is a paradox. The Christian is to obey whatever government rules the country where he lives. The Gentile Christians would be expected to pick up many Jewish ide... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOEVER OPPOSES. This is a strong statement! We must obey the civil laws just as we must obey God's laws. Of course, this does not mean we are to obey wicked rulers when they order us to disobey God (_compare_ Acts 4:19).... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THOSE WHO DO GOOD. In general, rulers work for the good of their people [to stay in power], which includes punishing those who do evil. Some rulers are an exception to this, and probably all rulers are at sometime an exception.... [ Continue Reading ]
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 government, and it all ended in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT ALSO AS A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE. There are two reasons we should obey civil government: (1) to avoid God's wrath (Romans 13:4); (2) because of conscience (it is God's will that we obey).... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YOU PAY TAXES. Since the civil ruler is God's servant, Christians are obligated to pay taxes to him. See Matthew 22:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
PAY, THEN, WHAT YOU OWE THEM. Pay to them whatever they have a right to claim from you. AND SHOW RESPECT AND HONOR. [Fear = respect, reverence.] The Christian respects and honors those whose right it is to be respected and honored, and pays his just taxes. He cannot do less, and be true to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
BE IN DEBT TO NO ONE. Some think this means a Christian should not use credit or borrow money. But most see it continuing the thought of Romans 13:7, and understand it to mean: "Pay every just claim, not only to government, but to everyone. The debt of love, though fully paid, is still always owed!... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE SUMMED UP IN THE ONE COMMAND. Law describes moral standards. The law of Christ is a rule of life for believers. Paul names four commandments which have to do with human relationships. These and any others are summed up in LOVE. ["DO not give false testimony" is omitted in most of the manuscripts... [ Continue Reading ]
TO LOVE, THEN, IS TO OBEY THE WHOLE LAW. Compare Galatians 5:13-15_. The Expositor's Greek Testament_ says: "It is apparent once more that NOMOS is the Mosaic Law, and not law in general. ... [ Continue Reading ]
YOU MUST DO THIS. "Love your fellow-man as yourself." YOU KNOW WHAT HOUR IT IS. They lived at a crucial point in history! See notes on Matthew 24:29-31; Romans 11:25-26. FOR YOU TO WAKE UP. Christians must have a sense of _urgency,_ like the farmer who _races_ to finish his work before sundown!!! WH... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NIGHT IS NEARLY OVER. The "night" of spiritual darkness [ignorance and evil]. DAY IS ALMOST HERE. When the Truth of Christ sets people free from sin and death. [Johnson sees this night as the period leading up to the "will be saved" of Romans 13:11. But Romans 13:13 points this symbolism to the... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US CONDUCT OURSELVES PROPERLY. Christians are "walking advertisements" for the Faith. ORGIES. See note on Revelation 2:20. IMMORALITY. The technical word is _fornication._ See notes on Matthew 19:9; Hebrews 13:4. INDECENCY. Sensuality, things that degrade human character. FIGHTING. See James 4:1... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT TAKE UP THE WEAPONS. Compare note on Romans 13:12. We make ourselves part of Christ in baptism (Galatians 3:27). Here the thought is that we ourselves are to take the weapons (principles?) of Christ and make them part of our fighting-gear. The new birth (John 3:5) is only the beginning of our ne... [ Continue Reading ]