Charles Ellicott Commentary Romans 13:6

"For this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God`s service, attending continually upon this very thing." — Romans 13:6 (ASV)

Ministers.—The words thus translated here and in Romans 13:4 are not the same, but both are words commonly used in the New Testament of a sacred office; that in Romans 13:4 is the original of our word “deacon,” that used in this verse is (in another form) the original of our word “liturgy.” The choice of such terms harmonizes with the conception which is presented in this chapter of the divine origin and character of the state system.