Romans 13:1

Every soul (pasa psuxh).
As in 2:9; Acts 2:43. A Hebraism for pav antrwpov (every man).

 

To the higher powers (exousiaiv uperexousaiv).
Abstract for concrete. See Mark 2:10 for exousia. Huperexw is an old verb to have or hold over, to be above or supreme, as in 1 Peter 2:13.

 

Except by God (ei mh upo teou).
So the best MSS. rather than apo teou (from God). God is the author of order, not anarchy.

 

The powers that be (ai ousai).
"The existing authorities" (supply exousiai). Art ordained (tetagmenai eisin). Periphrastic perfect passive indicative of tassw, "stand ordained by God." Paul is not arguing for the divine right of kings or for any special form of government, but for government and order. Nor does he oppose here revolution for a change of government, but he does oppose all lawlessness and disorder.

Romans 13:2

He that resisteth (o antitassomenov).
Present middle articular participle of antitassw, old verb to range in battle against as in Acts 18:6, "he that lines himself up against."

 

Withstandeth (antesthken).
Perfect active indicative of antisthmi and intransitive, "has taken his stand against."

 

The ordinance of God (thi tou teou diataghi).
Late word, but common in papyri (Deissmann, Light, etc., p. 89), in N.T. only here and Acts 7:53. Note repetition of root of tassw.

 

To themselves (eautoiv).
Dative of disadvantage. See Mark 12:40 for "shall receive a judgment" (krina lhmpsontai). Future middle of lambanw.

Romans 13:3

A terror (pobov).
This meaning in Isaiah 8:13. Paul does not approve all that rulers do, but he is speaking generally of the ideal before rulers. Nero was Emperor at this time.

 

From the same (ex authv).
"From it" (exousia, personified in verse 4).

Romans 13:4

A minister of God (teou diakonov).
General sense of diakonov. Of course even Nero was God's minister "to thee (soi ethical dative) for good (eiv to agaton, for the good)." That is the ideal, the goal.

 

Beareth (porei).
Present active indicative of porew, old frequentative form of perw, to bear, to wear.

 

But if thou do (ean de poihiv).
Condition of third class, ean and present active subjunctive of poiew, "if thou continue to do."

 

Sword (maxairan).
Symbol of authority as to-day policemen carry clubs or pistols. "The Emperor Trajan presented to a provincial governor on starting for his province, a dagger, with the words, 'For me. If I deserve it, in me'" (Vincent).

 

An avenger (ekdikov).
Old adjective from ek and dikh (right), "outside of penalty," unjust, then in later Greek "exacting penalty from one," in N.T. only here and 1 Thessalonians 4:6.

Romans 13:5

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

Romans 13:6

Ye pay (teleite).
Present active indicative (not imperative) of telew, to fulfil.

 

Tribute (porouv).
Old word from perw, to bring, especially the annual tax on lands, etc. (Luke 20:22; 23:1). Paying taxes recognizes authority over us.

 

Ministers of God's service (leitourgoi teou).
Late word for public servant (unused leitov from Attic lewv, people, and ergw, to work). Often used of military servants, servants of the king, and temple servants (Hebrews 8:2). Paul uses it also of himself as Christ's leitourgov (Romans 15:16) and of Epaphroditus as a minister to him (Philippians 2:25). See teou diakonov in verse Romans 13:4.

 

Attending continually (proskarterountev).
Present active participle of the late verb proskarterew (prov and karterew from kartov or kratov, strength) to persevere. See on Acts 2:42; 8:13.

Romans 13:7

Dues (opeilav).
Debts, from opeilw, 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 ministers.

 

To whom tribute is due (twi ton poron).
We must supply a participle with the article twi like apaitounti ("to the one asking tribute"). So with the other words (to whom custom, twi to telov apaitounti; to whom fear, twi ton pobon apaitounti; to whom honour, twi thn timhn apaitounti). Porov is the tribute paid to a subject nation (Luke 20:22), while telov is tax for support of civil government (Matthew 17:25).