Matthew Henry Commentary Romans 13

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, their just power 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 evildoers.

Such is the power of sin and corruption that many will be kept back from crimes only by the fear of punishment. You have the benefit of the government; therefore, do what you can to preserve it, and nothing to disturb it. This directs private persons to behave quietly and peaceably where God has set them (1 Timothy 2:1, 2). Christians must not use any trick or fraud.

All smuggling, dealing in contraband goods, and withholding or evading duties, is rebellion against the express command of God. Thus, honest neighbors are robbed, who will have to pay 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.

It is fitting for all Christians to learn and practice the lesson taught here: that the godly in the land will always be found the quiet and the peaceable in the land, whatever others are.

Christians must avoid useless expense and be careful not to incur any debts they do not have the power to repay. They are also to stay away from all risky speculations and rash commitments, and whatever may expose them to the danger of not giving everyone what they are owed. Do not remain in anyone's debt.

Give everyone what is theirs. Do not spend on yourselves what you owe to others. But many who are very aware of the trouble think little of the sin of being in debt. Love for others includes all the duties of the second table. The last five of the Ten Commandments are all summed up in this royal law, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; with the same sincerity that you love yourself, though not in the same measure and degree.

One who loves his neighbor as himself will desire his neighbor's welfare. On this is built the golden rule of doing as we would be done by. Love is a living, active principle of obedience to the whole law. Let us not only avoid injuries to the persons, connections, property, and characters of people, but also do no kind or degree of evil to anyone, and strive to be useful in every station of life.

Four things are taught here as a Christian's guide for his day's work. Regarding when to awake: the time is now. We are to awake from the sleep of carnal security, sloth, and negligence; from the sleep of spiritual death; and from the sleep of spiritual deadness. This should be done considering the time—which is a busy time and a perilous time—and also that salvation is near at hand.

Let us pay attention to our way and quicken our pace, for we are nearer our journey's end. We must also make ourselves ready. The night is far spent, the day is at hand; therefore, it is time to dress ourselves. Observe what we must put off: the clothes worn in the night. Cast off the sinful works of darkness.

Observe what we must put on, that is, how we should dress our souls. Put on the armour of light. A Christian must consider himself undressed if he is unarmed. The graces of the Spirit are this armour, meant to secure the soul from Satan's temptations and the assaults of this present evil world. Put on Christ; that includes all.

Put on the righteousness of Christ for justification. Put on the Spirit and grace of Christ for sanctification. The Lord Jesus Christ must be put on as Lord to rule you, as Jesus to save you, and in both capacities, as Christ, anointed and appointed by the Father to this ruling, saving work. And we are taught how to walk.

When we are up and ready, we are not to sit still but to go out; let us walk. Christianity teaches us how to walk so as to please God, who always sees us. Walk honestly as in the day, avoiding the works of darkness. Where there is riot and drunkenness, there usually are sexual immorality and sensuality, and strife and envy.

Solomon puts all these together (Proverbs 23:29–35). Now, let us see what provision to make. Our great concern must be to provide for our souls. But must we take no care for our bodies? Yes, we must; but two things are forbidden: perplexing ourselves with anxious, burdensome care, and indulging ourselves in irregular desires.

Natural needs are to be met, but evil appetites must be checked and denied. To ask for food for our necessities is our duty (we are taught to pray for daily bread); but to ask for food for our lusts is provoking to God (Psalms 78:18).