Romans 13:2

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. WHOSOEVER THEREFORE RESISTETH THE POWER - `So that he who setteth himself against the authority' RESISTETH THE ORDINANCE OF GOD: AND THEY THAT RESIST SHALL RECEIVE TO THEMSELVES DAMNATION - or 'condemnation' (according to the old sense of the word); that is, not from the magistrate, but from God, whose authority in the magistrates is resisted....

2._And they who resist, etc. _As no one can resist God but to his own ruin, he threatens, that they shall not be unpunished who in this respect oppose the providence of God. Let us then beware, lest we incur this denunciation. And _by judgment, _(402) I understand not only the punishment which is inflicted by the magistrate, as though he had only said, that they would be justly punished who resisted authority; but also the vengeance of God, however it may at length be executed: for he teaches us in general what end awaits those who contend with God....

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, yet the just power they have, must be submitted to and obeyed. In the general course of human affairs, rulers are not a terror to honest, quiet, and good subjects, but to evil-doers. Such is the power of sin and corruption, that many will be kept back from crimes only by the fear of punishment. Thou hast the benefit of the government, therefore do what thou canst to preserve it, and nothing to disturb it. This directs private persons to behave quietly and peaceably where God has set them, 1 Timothy 2:1; 1 Timothy 2:2. Christians must not use any trick or fraud. All smuggling, dealing in contraband goods, withholding...

Verse Romans 13:2. _WHOSOEVER RESISTETH THE POWER_] ο αντιτασσομενος, He who sets himself in _order_ against this _order_ of God; τη του θεου διαταγη, and _they who resist_, οι ανθεστηκοτες, they who obstinately, and for no right reason, oppose the ruler, and strive to unsettle the constitution, and to bring about illegal changes, _SHALL RECEIVE TO THEMSELVES DAMNATION._] κριμα, _condemnation_; shall be _condemned_ both by the spirit and letter of that constitution, which, under pretence of defending or improving, they are indirectly labouring to subvert....

WHOSOEVER THEREFORE RESISTETH ... - That is, they who rise up against “government itself;” who seek anarchy and confusion; and who oppose the regular execution of the laws. It is implied, however, that those laws shall not be such as to violate the rights of conscience, or oppose the laws of God. RESISTETH THE ORDINANCE OF GOD - What God has ordained, or appointed. This means clearly that we are to regard “government” as instituted by God, and as agreeable to his will. “When” established, we are not to be agitated about the “titles” of the rulers; not to enter into angry contentions, or to refuse to submit to them, because we are apprehensive of a defect in their “title,” or because they may have obtained it by oppression. If the government is established, and if its decisions are not a manifest violation of the laws of God, we are to submit to them. Shall receive

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 passes to _the duty of Christians towards the civil government and the laws of the country in which they lived. _It is well known that the Jews were impatient of the Roman dominion, and that some held it to be unlawful, on religious grounds, to pay tribute to Caesar (Matthew 22:17). Insurrections against the government had consequently been frequent. There had been the notable one under Judas the Gaulonite of Gamala (called ὁ Γαλιλαῖος, Acts 5:37), who left followers behind him, called Gaul

WHOSOEVER THEREFORE RESISTETH THE POWER,.... The office of magistracy, and such as are lawfully placed in it, and rightly exercise it; who denies that there is, or ought to be any such order among men, despises it, and opposes it, and withdraws himself from it, and will not be subject to it in any form: RESISTETH THE ORDINANCE OF GOD, the will and appointment of God, whose pleasure it is that there should be such an office, and that men should be subject to it. This is not to be understood, as if magistrates were above the laws, and had a lawless power to do as they will without opposition; for they are under the law, and liable to the penalty of it, in case of disobedience, as others; and when they make their own will a law, or exercise a lawless tyrannical power, in defiance of the laws of God, and of the land, to the endangering of the lives, liberties, and properties of subjects, th...

DAMNATION Condemnation, that is, in the sense of judgment by the magistrate....

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 .) Romans 13:1 The children of God are strangers and pilgrims in the world. Our citizenship is in heaven. But what is the Christian to do as living under different forms of government? The Christian is to be in subjection to these, for the powers that exist are ordained by Him. Resisting these powers would mean resistance to God who has ordained them. They are God's ministers to maintain order. “Render therefore to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is d

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 Divine institution (_cf._ John 19:11; Psalms 82:6, etc.), and that the existing authorities (of the Empire) are ordained by God, so that he who is insubordinate resists the ordinance _of God_ and resisters will incur judgment. There is a play on the idea of _order._ In later and worse times Paul maintained the same attitude toward civil government; see 1 Timothy 2:1 ff.,...