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Text -- Romans 13:5 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
13:5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience.
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Taxes | Rulers | Rome | Romans, Epistle to the | LAW IN THE NEW TESTAMENT | Integrity | Government | Citizenship | CONSCIENCE | CHURCH GOVERNMENT | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Rom 13:5 - -- Ye must needs ( anagkē ). "There is necessity,"both because of the law and because of conscience, because it is right (Rom 2:15; Rom 9:1).

Ye must needs ( anagkē ).

"There is necessity,"both because of the law and because of conscience, because it is right (Rom 2:15; Rom 9:1).

Wesley: Rom 13:5 - -- That is, punishment from man.

That is, punishment from man.

Wesley: Rom 13:5 - -- Out of obedience to God.

Out of obedience to God.

JFB: Rom 13:5 - -- For fear of the magistrate's vengeance.

For fear of the magistrate's vengeance.

JFB: Rom 13:5 - -- From reverence for God's authority. It is of Magistracy in general, considered as a divine ordinance, that this is spoken: and the statement applies e...

From reverence for God's authority. It is of Magistracy in general, considered as a divine ordinance, that this is spoken: and the statement applies equally to all forms of government, from an unchecked despotism--such as flourished when this was written, under the Emperor Nero--to a pure democracy. The inalienable right of all subjects to endeavor to alter or improve the form of government under which they live is left untouched here. But since Christians were constantly charged with turning the world upside down, and since there certainly were elements enough in Christianity of moral and social revolution to give plausibility to the charge, and tempt noble spirits, crushed under misgovernment, to take redress into their own hands, it was of special importance that the pacific, submissive, loyal spirit of those Christians who resided at the great seat of political power, should furnish a visible refutation of this charge.

Clarke: Rom 13:5 - -- Ye must needs be subject - Αναγκη, There is a necessity that ye should be subject, not only for wrath, δια την οργην, on account ...

Ye must needs be subject - Αναγκη, There is a necessity that ye should be subject, not only for wrath, δια την οργην, on account of the punishment which will be inflicted on evil doers, but also for conscience’ sake; not only to avoid punishment, but also to preserve a clear conscience. For, as civil government is established in the order of God for the support, defense, and happiness of society, they who transgress its laws, not only expose themselves to the penalties assigned by the statutes, but also to guilt in their own consciences, because they sin against God. Here are two powerful motives to prevent the infraction of the laws and to enforce obedience

1.    The dread of punishment; this weighs with the ungodly

2.    The keeping of a good conscience, which weighs powerfully with every person who fears God. These two motives should be frequently urged both among professors and profane.

Calvin: Rom 13:5 - -- 5.It is therefore necessary, etc What he had at first commanded as to the rendering of obedience to magistrates, he now briefly repeats, but with som...

5.It is therefore necessary, etc What he had at first commanded as to the rendering of obedience to magistrates, he now briefly repeats, but with some addition, and that is, — that we ought to obey them, not only on the ground of necessity arising from man, but that we thereby obey God; for by wrath he means the punishment which the magistrates inflict for the contempt of their dignity; as though he had said, “We must not only obey, because we cannot with impunity resist the powerful and those armed with authority, as injuries are wont to be borne with which cannot be repelled; but we ought to obey willingly, as conscience through God’s word thus binds us.” Though then the magistrate were disarmed, so that we could with impunity provoke and despise him, yet such a thing ought to be no more attempted than if we were to see punishment suspended over us; for it belongs not to a private individual to take away authority from him whom the Lord has in power set over us. This whole discourse is concerning civil government; it is therefore to no purpose that they who would exercise dominion over consciences do hence attempt to establish their sacrilegious tyranny.

TSK: Rom 13:5 - -- ye : 1Sa 24:5, 1Sa 24:6; Ecc 8:2; Tit 3:1, Tit 3:2; 1Pe 2:13-15 conscience : Act 24:16; Heb 13:18; 1Pe 2:19, 1Pe 3:16

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Rom 13:5 - -- Wherefore - διό dio . The "reasons"why we should be subject, which the apostle had given, were two, (1)    That gover...

Wherefore - διό dio . The "reasons"why we should be subject, which the apostle had given, were two,

(1)    That government was appointed by God.

(2)\caps1     t\caps0 hat violation of the laws would necessarily expose to punishment.

Ye must needs be - It is "necessary" ἀναγκή anagkē to be. This is a word stronger than what implies mere "fitness"or propriety. It means that it is a matter of high obligation and of "necessity"to be subject to the civil ruler.

Not only for wrath - Not only on account of the "fear of punishment;"or the fact that wrath will be executed on evil doers.

For conscience’ sake - As a matter of conscience, or of "duty to God,"because "he"has appointed it, and made it necessary and proper. A good citizen yields obedience because it is the will of God; and a Christian makes it a part of his religion to maintain and obey the just laws of the land; see Mat 22:21; compare Ecc 8:2, "I counsel them to keep the king’ s commandments, and "that in regard of the oath of God."

Poole: Rom 13:5 - -- q.d. Seeing things are so as I have said; that magistracy is of God, that it is his ordinance, that it is for the benefit of mankind, and that it is...

q.d. Seeing things are so as I have said; that magistracy is of God, that it is his ordinance, that it is for the benefit of mankind, and that it is armed with the sword; therefore there is a necessity of subjection, and that for a double reason: first, from fear of wrath, or punishment from the magistrate. Secondly, and more especially, from the obligation of conscience, because God hath so commanded; and to err in this particular, is to offend God, and to wound our own consciences: see 1Sa 24:5 Ecc 8:2 1Pe 2:13 .

Gill: Rom 13:5 - -- Wherefore ye must needs be subject,.... To the higher powers, to the civil magistrates; there is a necessity of it, because magistracy is God's ordina...

Wherefore ye must needs be subject,.... To the higher powers, to the civil magistrates; there is a necessity of it, because magistracy is God's ordinance, it is for the good of men; and such that oppose it will severely smart for it: but subjection to it from Christians should be,

not only for wrath; through fear of punishment, and for the sake of escaping it; either the wrath of men or of God, in this or the other world:

but also for conscience sake: to keep conscience clear, to exercise a good one void of offence towards God and men; for natural reason, conscience itself, dictates that there ought to be such order among men, that civil government should take place, and ought to be submitted to.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Rom 13:5 Grk “because of (the) conscience,” but the English possessive “your” helps to show whose conscience the context implies.

Geneva Bible: Rom 13:5 ( 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...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Rom 13:1-14 - --1 Subjection, and many other duties, we owe to the magistrates.8 Love is the fulfilling of the law.11 Gluttony and drunkenness, and the works of darkn...

MHCC: Rom 13:1-7 - --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 pe...

Matthew Henry: Rom 13:1-6 - -- We are here taught how to conduct ourselves towards magistrates, and those that are in authority over us, called here the higher powers, intimatin...

Barclay: Rom 13:1-7 - --At first reading this is an extremely surprising passage, for it seems to counsel absolute obedience on the part of the Christian to the civil power....

Constable: Rom 12:1--15:14 - --VI. THE PRACTICE OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS 12:1--15:13 In contrasting chapters 1-11 with chapters 12-16 of Romans, ...

Constable: Rom 13:1-14 - --C. Conduct within the state ch. 13 This chapter broadens the Christian's sphere of responsibility by ext...

Constable: Rom 13:1-7 - --1. Conduct towards the government 13:1-7 Paul passed from a loosely connected series of exhortations in 12:9-21 to a well-organized argument about a s...

College: Rom 13:1-14 - --E. THE RELATION BETWEEN CITIZENS AND GOVERNMENT (13:1-7) In this section we have what appears to be an abrupt change of subject, as Paul turns his at...

McGarvey: Rom 13:5 - --Wherefore [because of all that has been said -- Rom 13:1-4] ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sa...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Romans (Book Introduction) The Epistle to the Romans Spring of a.d. 57 By Way of Introduction Integrity of the Epistle The genuineness of the Epistle is so generally adm...

JFB: Romans (Book Introduction) THE GENUINENESS of the Epistle to the Romans has never been questioned. It has the unbroken testimony of all antiquity, up to CLEMENT OF ROME, the apo...

JFB: Romans (Outline) INTRODUCTION. (Rom. 1:1-17) THE JEW UNDER LIKE CONDEMNATION WITH THE GENTILE. (Rom. 2:1-29) JEWISH OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. (Rom 3:1-8) THAT THE JEW IS S...

TSK: Romans (Book Introduction) The Epistle to the Romans is " a writing," says Dr. Macknight, " which, for sublimity and truth of sentiment, for brevity and strength of expression,...

TSK: Romans 13 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Rom 13:1, Subjection, and many other duties, we owe to the magistrates; Rom 13:8, Love is the fulfilling of the law; Rom 13:11, Gluttony ...

Poole: Romans 13 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 13

MHCC: Romans (Book Introduction) The scope or design of the apostle in writing to the Romans appears to have been, to answer the unbelieving, and to teach the believing Jew; to confir...

MHCC: Romans 13 (Chapter Introduction) (Rom 13:1-7) The duty of subjection to governors. (Rom 13:8-10) Exhortations to mutual love. (Rom 13:11-14) To temperance and sobriety.

Matthew Henry: Romans (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans If we may compare scripture with scripture, and take the opinion ...

Matthew Henry: Romans 13 (Chapter Introduction) There are three good lessons taught us in this chapter, where the apostle enlarges more upon his precepts than he had done in the foregoing chapter...

Barclay: Romans (Book Introduction) A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS OF PAUL The Letters Of Paul There is no more interesting body of documents in the New Testament than the letter...

Barclay: Romans 13 (Chapter Introduction) The Christian And The State (Rom_13:1-7) The Debts Which Must Be Paid And The Debt Which Never Can Be Paid (Rom_13:8-10) The Threat Of Time (Rom_1...

Constable: Romans (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical Background Throughout the history of the church, from postapos...

Constable: Romans (Outline) Outline I. Introduction 1:1-17 A. Salutation 1:1-7 1. The writer 1:1 ...

Constable: Romans Romans Bibliography Alford, Henry. The Greek Testament. 4 vols. New ed. Cambridge: Rivingtons, 1881. ...

Haydock: Romans (Book Introduction) THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE ROMANS. INTRODUCTION. After the Gospels, which contain the history of Christ, and the Acts of...

Gill: Romans (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS Though this epistle is in order placed the first of the epistles, yet it was not first written: there were several epistles ...

Gill: Romans 13 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS 13 The principal things contained in this chapter, enjoined the saints, are the duties of subjection to magistrates, love to...

College: Romans (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION I. ROMANS: ITS INFLUENCE AND IMPORTANCE God's Word is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path (Ps 119:105), and no part of it shine...

College: Romans (Outline) VIII. OUTLINE PROLOGUE - 1:1-17 I. EPISTOLARY GREETING - 1:1-7 A. The Author Introduces Himself - 1:1 1. A Slave of Christ Jesus 2. Call...

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