Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Footnotes

1. Romans 13:1 Or, submit himself.
2. Romans 13:1 Or, put in place, stationed, arranged, assigned.
3. Romans 13:2 Or, setting himself against.
4. Romans 13:2 Or, stood against.
5. Romans 13:2 Or, decree, direction. The authority of government is God’s decree. Paul is commanding submission to this authority, however it is expressed in your nation. In some nations this includes active involvement in government; in others, citizens have little input.
6. Romans 13:2 That is, from God, whose decree you have resisted. Secondarily, from the authorities, if you are caught.
7. Romans 13:3 That is, civil evil, crime.
8. Romans 13:3 This is the general rule. Paul does not deal here with exceptions. Paul himself was persecuted for doing good, for proclaiming the gospel.
9. Romans 13:3 Or, it, the authority.
10. Romans 13:4 Or, wear.
11. Romans 13:4 That is, for no purpose. Governments have God’s authority to punish evil to the fullest extent, including death, and they serve God’s purposes in doing so. Governments exercise this authority through the police, the courts, and the military, in ways and means and degrees of their own choosing.
12. Romans 13:5 We submit out of fear of God’s wrath expressed through government, and our own conscience toward God. Usually these are in agreement. In exceptional cases, which Paul does not address here, the conscience must be followed in spite of the threats from government.
13. Romans 13:6 Taxes paid by foreigners to ruling states, such as that paid by Israel to Rome.
14. Romans 13:6 Or, public servants. Note that Paul is talking about Rome, which conquered and subjugated his nation and took away their freedom and right of self-government.
15. Romans 13:7 That is, the local taxes.
16. Romans 13:7 Or, respect.