Afraid Approval Authority Bad Behavior Cause Commend Conduct Desire Evil Fear Feared Free Hold Judges Magistrates Power Practise Praise Reason Receive Right-doers Ruler Rulers Ruling Terror Wilt Wish Works Wouldest Wrong Wrong-doers
13:3 {4} For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. {5} Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
(4) The third argument, taken from the reason for which they were made, which is that they are to be most profitable: because God by this means preserves the good and bridles the wicked: by which words the magistrates themselves are put in mind of that duty which they owe to their subjects.
(5) An excellent way to bear this yoke, not only without grief, but also with great profit.
13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works. This is the general rule. Of course there have been occasional exceptions, when some human monster has been invested with absolute power, but the principle is true.
Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? It is not the law-abiding, but the lawless, who fear the law. Rulers as a class are a blessing. There was an exception a few years later when Nero developed his fiendish hate of all good.
13:3 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.
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 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, 1Ti 2:1,2. Christians must not use any trick or fraud. All smuggling, dealing in contraband goods, withholding or evading duties, is rebellion against the express command of God. Thus honest neighbours are robbed, who will have to pay the more; and the crimes of smugglers, and others who join with them, are abetted. It is painful that some professors of the gospel should countenance such dishonest practices. The lesson here taught it becomes all Christians to learn and practise, that the godly in the land will always be found the quiet and the peaceable in the land, whatever others are.
Afraid Approval Authority Bad Cause Commend Conduct Desire Evil Fear Feared Free Good Hold Judges Magistrates Power Praise Reason Receive Right Ruler Rulers Terror Wilt Work Works Wrong
Afraid Approval Authority Bad Cause Commend Conduct Desire Evil Fear Feared Free Good Hold Judges Magistrates Power Praise Reason Receive Right Ruler Rulers Terror Wilt Work Works Wrong
