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Justin Edwards' Family Bible NT (1851)

Romans 13:7

Their dues; what rightfully belongs to them.

Tribute; taxes on real and personal estate.

Custom; taxes on merchandise, and on foreigners.

Fear-honor; pay to rulers and officers of government such respect as will conduce to the best discharge of their duties. If rulers transcend their just authority, neglect the objects for which they were appointed, and seek their own, not the good of the people-if they terrify the good, encourage the bad, and require men to commit sin-men are bound, in these things, to disobey them, and in all things to obey God. In no case are men to commit sin to accomplish any object whatever.

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See also Romans 13:7 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Romans 13:7. _RENDER THEREFORE TO ALL THEIR DUES_] This is an extensive command. Be rigidly just; withhold neither from the _king_ nor his _ministers_, nor his _officers_ of _justice_ and _reven...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    RENDER THEREFORE ... - This injunction is often repeated in the Bible; see the notes at Matthew 22:21; see also Matthew 17:25; 1 Peter 2:13;...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    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 .)...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    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...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE CHRISTIAN AND THE STATE (Romans 13:1-7)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    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...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    THEREFORE. Omit. THEIR. the. DUES. Greek. _opheile._ Only here and Matthew 18:32. CUSTOM. That which is paid for public ends. Greek. _telos_. Compare Matthew 17:25....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    This and other considerations combine to assure us that the principles of the Gospel, so far from favouring tyranny, tend _ultimately_to make it impossible. A perfectly Christian nation under tyrannic...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    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...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    Romans 13:1-10. The true relation to the civil power and the outside world....

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    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...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ἈΠΌΔΟΤΕ, pay as their due, οὐδὲ γὰρ χαρίζῃ τοῦτο ποιῶν· ὀφειλὴ γάρ ἐστι τὸ πρᾶγμα, Chrys....

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΆΠΌΔΟΤΕ _aor. imper. act. от_ ΑΠΟΔΊΔΩΜΙ (G591) возмещать, ΟΦΕΙΛΉ (G3782) обязательство, долг. Здесь имеются в виду наши обязательства перед государственными властями (Murray), ΦΌΡΟΣ (G5411) подать,...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    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...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    TRIBUTE TO WHOM TRIBUTE— The Jews had a favourite notion among them, that, as the peculiar people of God, they were exempted from obligations to pay tribute to Gentiles; against which notion this pass...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    _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...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    __ 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...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    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...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    CUSTOM] i.e. ordinary taxes. FEAR] i.e. scrupulous obedience....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    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...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    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...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    TRIBUTE. — Rather, _taxes_ — _i.e.,_ taxes upon person or property as opposed to the customs levied upon goods. These were collected by different officers. FEAR... HONOUR. — There would be one class o...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    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...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    At this point Weiss begins a new paragraph, but W. and H. make Romans 13:7 the conclusion of the first part of this chapter. In view of the close connection between Romans 13:7-8 (_cf._ ὀφειλάς, ὀφείλ...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    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...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    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...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom (e) fear; honour to whom (f) honour. (e) Obedience, and that from the heart. (f) Reverence,...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    “ _For it is for this cause also that ye pay tribute; for they are God's ministers for this very thing, attending thereto continually. Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute; custom to whom...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    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...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    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:...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    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...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    7._Render then to all what is due, etc. _The Apostle seems here summarily to include the particulars in which the duties of subjects towards magistrates consist, — that they are to hold them in esteem...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    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...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    RENDER THEREFORE TO ALL THEIR DUES,.... To all princes, magistrates, and officers, that are placed over us, from the supreme governor to the lowest officer under him, should we render as a due debt, a...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    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...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Render, therefore, to all_ Magistrates, whether supreme or subordinate; _their dues_ What by law, or by the appointment of God, belongs to them, even though you may have opportunities of defrauding t...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    RENDER, THEREFORE, TO ALL THEIR DUES: TRIBUTE TO WHOM TRIBUTE IS DUE; CUSTOM, TO WHOM CUSTOM; FEAR, TO WHOM FEAR; HONOR, TO WHOM HONOR. For necessity's sake the Christians are subject to the governmen...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Subject for conscience' sake:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    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...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    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...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    RENDER TO ALL THEIR DUES: TRIBUTE TO WHOM TRIBUTE IS DUE; CUSTOM TO WHOM CUSTOM; FEAR TO WHOM FEAR; HONOR TO WHOM HONOR. 'Render' -591. apodidomi ap-od-eed'-o-mee; from 575 and 1325; to give away, i...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    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,...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    This verse concludes his discourse about the civil powers. When he saith: RENDER TO ALL THEIR DUES, he doth not mean all men, but all magistrates, whatever they be for quality, either good or bad; or...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    Render to all [civil officials] _their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor_. [Kypke points out the distinction between tribute and custo...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Theophilus to Autolycus Book III And it teaches us to render all things to all,[32] Cyprian Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews Also to the Romans: "Render to all what is due:...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Romans 13:7 Render G591 (G5628) therefore G3767 all G3956 due G3782 taxes G5411 whom G3588 taxes G5411 customs...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    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...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘Render to all their dues; taxes to whom taxes (are due), tolls to whom tolls (are due), fear to whom fear (is due), honour to whom honour (is due).' In words which echo those of Jesus in respect of p...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    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...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Romans 13:7. RENDER TO ALL THEIR DUES. The weight of evidence is against the word ‘therefore,' which would readily be inserted, since we have here an inferential exhortation. Some connect this verse w...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    DUES (οφειλας). Debts, from οφειλω, to owe. Often so in the papyri, though not in Greek authors. In N.T. only here, Matthew 18:32; 1 Corinthians 7:3. Paying debts needs emphasis today, even for min...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Romans 13:7 The Doctrine of Obedience. Note: I. As suggested by the passage generally, the breadth and largeness of the gospel precepts. The broad principle is stated: obedience to lawful power. The...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    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...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    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,...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    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...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _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...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    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

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 13:8.—Augustine says that “love is a debt which is multiplied by paying.” Milton says, “_By_ owing owes not, but still pays, at once indebted and discharged.” The debt of love...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    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...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    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...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 2:18; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 Samuel 12:18; 1 Timothy 5:13

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    To all. Probably all magistrates, though some explain all men. Tribute - custom [φ ο ρ ο ν - τ ε λ ο ς]. Tribute on persons : custom on goods....

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    To all — Magistrates. Tribute — Taxes on your persons or estates. Custom — For goods exported or imported. Fear — Obedience. Honour — Reverence. All these are due to the supreme power....

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    A twofold duty towards magistrates is here laid down by our apostle, namely, maintenance and reverence. 1. There is due unto them maintenance. Tribute and custom is payable to them for that purpose, a...

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Old Testament