John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the
Whole Bible
Verse 1. St. Paul, writing to the Romans,
whose city was the seat of the empire, speaks largely of
obedience to magistrates: and this was also, in effect, a
public apology for the Christian religion. Let every soul
be subject to the supreme powers - An admonition
peculiarly needful for the Jews. Power, in the singular
number, is the supreme authority; powers are they who
are invested with it. That is more readily acknowledged to be
from God than these. The apostle affirms it of both. They are
all from God, who constituted all in general, and permits each
in particular by his providence. The powers that be are
appointed by God - It might be rendered, are
subordinate to, or, orderly disposed under, God;
implying, that they are God's deputies or vicegerents and
consequently, their authority being, in effect, his, demands
our conscientious obedience. Verse 2.
Whosoever resisteth the power - In any other manner
than the laws of the community direct. Shall receive
condemnation - Not only from the magistrate, but from God
also. Verse 3. For rulers are - In
the general, notwithstanding some particular exceptions. A
terror to evil works - Only. Wouldest thou then not be
afraid - There is one fear which precedes evil actions,
and deters from them: this should always remain. There is
another fear which follows evil actions: they who do
well are free from this.
Verse 4. The sword - The instrument of capital
punishment, which God authorizes him to inflict.
Verse 5. Not only for fear of wrath - That is,
punishment from man. But for conscience' sake - Out of
obedience to God. Verse 6. For this
cause - Because they are the ministers (officers)
of God for the public good. This very thing -
The public good. Verse 7. 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. Verse 8. From
our duty to magistrates he passes on to general duties. To
love one another - An eternal debt, which can never be
sufficiently discharged; but yet if this be rightly performed,
it discharges all the rest. For he that loveth another
- As he ought. Hath fulfilled the whole law - Toward
his neighbour. Verse 9. If there be any
other - More particular. Commandment - Toward our
neighbour; as there are many in the law. It is summed up in
this - So that if you was not thinking of it, yet if your
heart was full of love, you would fulfil it.
Verse 10. Therefore love is the fulfilling of the
law - For the same love which restrains from all evil,
incites us to all good. Verse 11. And
do this - Fulfil the law of love in all the instances
above mentioned. Knowing the season - Full of grace,
but hasting away. That it is high time to awake out of
sleep - How beautifully is the metaphor carried on! This
life, a night; the resurrection, the day; the gospel shining
on the heart, the dawn of this day; we are to awake out of
sleep; to rise up and throw away our night-clothes, fit only
for darkness, and put on new; and, being soldiers, we are to
arm, and prepare for fight, who are encompassed with so many
enemies. The day dawns when we receive faith, and then sleep
gives place. Then it is time to rise, to arm, to walk, to
work, lest sleep steal upon us again. Final salvation,
glory, is nearer to us now, than when we first
believed - It is continually advancing, flying forward
upon the swiftest wings of time. And that which remains
between the present hour and eternity is comparatively but a
moment.
Verse 13. Banqueting - Luxurious, elegant feasts. Verse 14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus
Christ - Herein is contained the whole of our salvation.
It is a strong and beautiful expression for the most intimate
union with him, and being clothed with all the graces which
were in him. The apostle does not say, Put on purity and
sobriety, peacefulness and benevolence; but he says all this
and a thousand times more at once, in saying, Put on
Christ. And make not provision - To raise foolish
desires, or, when they are raised already, to satisfy them.
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