Let (1) every (a) soul be subject unto the higher (2) powers. (3) For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are (b) ordained of God. (1) Now he distinctly shows what subjects owe to their magistrates, that is, obedience: from which he shows that no man is free: and the obedience we owe i... [ Continue Reading ]
(4) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. (5) Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: (4) The third argument, taken from the reason for which they were made, which is that they are to be most profitable: because... [ Continue Reading ]
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 upon him that doeth evil. (6) God has armed the magistrate even with an avenging sword. (c) By wh... [ Continue Reading ]
(7) Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but (d) also for conscience sake. (7) The conclusion: we must obey the magistrate, not only for fear of punishment, but much more because (although the magistrate has no power over the conscience of man, yet seeing he is God's minister)... [ Continue Reading ]
(8) For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. (8) He sums up the main thing, in which consists the obedience of subjects.... [ Continue Reading ]
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, which (as we have reason) we must give to the magistrate.... [ Continue Reading ]
(9) Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: (10) for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the (g) law. (9) He shows how very few judgments need to be executed, that is, if we so order our life as no man may justly require anything from us, besides only that which we owe one to another, by 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 (h) briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (h) For the whole l... [ Continue Reading ]
(11) 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. (11) An application taken from the circumstances of the time: which also itself puts us in mind of our duty, seeing that this remains, after which the darkness... [ Continue Reading ]
The night is far spent, the day is (i) at hand: let us therefore cast off the works (k) of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. (i) In other places we are said to be in the light, but yet so that it does not yet appear what we are, for as yet we see but as it were in the twilight. (k)... [ Continue Reading ]
But (l) put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof]. (l) To put on Christ is to possess Christ, to have him in us, and us in him.... [ Continue Reading ]