The Principles of Obedience to Civil Rule (Civil Government: An Exposition of Romans 13:1-7 4 of 6)

This topic has been incidentally noticed in commenting upon the duty itself; but it is made the subject of a distinct statement.

'Wherefore, ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake.' V. 5.

Obedience is to be rendered partly to avoid penal inflictions—'for wrath's sake.' It is not very material to determine whether the Apostle here refers to the 'wrath of the magistrate, or of God, or of both.'

If to the first—and the connection in which the term occurs seems to warrant this view—it still implies that the displeasure of God, also, rests upon him who withholds due subjection from the authorities previously described.

It is more important to remark that this phrase has been frequently applied to express that sort of submission which the slave gives to his master, or the oppressed to the power of the despot—a submission altogether forced, in which there is no heartfelt recognition.

There is such a subjection to lawless authority, and such a submission may be given on this principle. Moreover, this term is appropriate enough as thus applied. But it has not this meaning here.

As has been frequently stated already, Paul refers, in this passage, to no usurped, tyrannical or godless power. He speaks of but one kind of government—one sort of rulers: a government worthy of obedience—rulers who are 'ministers of God.'

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