3. Conduct in view of our hope 13:11-14Paul’s thought moved from identifying responsibilities to urging their practice. What lies before us as Christians provides essential motivation for doing so. read more
In one sense every believer puts on Jesus Christ when he or she trusts Him as Savior (Galatians 3:27). However in another sense we put Him on when we dedicate ourselves to Him as our lord (Romans 12:1). [Note: See Cranfield, 2:688-89.] The first step in putting on the armor of light (Romans 13:12) is committing ourselves to follow Jesus Christ wholeheartedly."A literary parallel to this use of ’put on’ is quoted from Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Roman Antiquities 11.5, where ’to put on Tarquin’... read more
The Christian’s Duty to the State and to his NeighbourSt. Paul now passes to the duties of Christians to the State. In Romans 12:19 he had condemned revenge; but he asserts here that the State may rightly punish, as God’s agent in temporal affairs. He enforces obedience to government, i.e. to social order, not to any special form of government. He gives no directions as to what is to be done when there is a conflict of civil authority (Romans 13:1-7). Our behaviour to men in general is to be... read more
(11-14) The Apostle now gives a reason for enforcing this and other duties upon his readers. The end of the world itself is near.St. Paul, like the other Apostles (comp. 1 Peter 4:7; Revelation 22:20, et al.), certainly believed that the Parusia, or Second Coming of Christ, was near at hand. This was in strict accordance with Mark 13:32, and resulted naturally from the peculiar form of the Jewish Messianic expectation. A great shock had been given to the disciples by the crucifixion of Him whom... read more
(14) Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.—A continuation of the metaphor introduced in Romans 13:12. So invest and identify yourselves with the spirit of Christ as to reproduce it in your outward walk and conduct.Make not provision for the flesh.—Take no thought for the flesh, so as to supply a stimulus to its lusts. A life of luxury and self-indulgence is apt to excite those fleshly impulses which the Christian should try rather to mortify. He therefore warns his readers not to give their thoughts... read more
Romans 13:0 Mr. Seebohm, in The Oxford Reformers, tells us that when Dean Colet was expounding this chapter, he used to 'take down his Suetonius in order to ascertain the state of society at Rome and the special circumstances which made it needful for St. Paul so strongly to urge Roman Christians to be obedient to the higher powers and to pay tribute also'. Romans 13:1 Meseemeth (if I may speake boldly) that it argueth a great self-love and presumption for a man to esteeme his opinions so far,... read more
Chapter 28CHRISTIAN DUTY IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD’S RETURN AND INTHE POWER OF HIS PRESENCERomans 13:11-14THE great teacher has led us long upon the path of duty, in its patient details, all summed up in the duty and joy of love. We have heard him explaining to his disciples how to live as members together of the Body of Christ, and as members also of human society at large, and as citizens of the state. We have been busy latterly with thoughts of taxes, and tolls, and private debts, and the... read more
CHAPTER 13 1. Obedience to Authorities. (Romans 13:1-7 .) 2. Love the Fulfilling of the Law. (Romans 13:8-10 .) 3. The Day is at Hand. (Romans 13:11-14 .) Romans 13:1-7 The children of God are strangers and pilgrims in the world. Our citizenship is in heaven. But what is the Christian to do as living under different forms of government? The Christian is to be in subjection to these, for the powers that exist are ordained by Him. Resisting these powers would mean resistance to God who has... read more
13:14 But {l} put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].(l) To put on Christ is to possess Christ, to have him in us, and us in him. read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Romans 13:14
14. But—to sum up all in one word. put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ—in such wise that Christ only may be seen in you (see 2 Corinthians 3:3; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:24). and make no provision—"take no forethought." for the flesh, to fulfil the lust thereof —"Direct none of your attention to the cravings of your corrupt nature, how you may provide for their gratification." Note, (1) How gloriously adapted is Christianity for human society in all conditions! As it makes war directly against no... read more