Romans 13:7
Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easy to miss is that "taxes" and "revenue" aren't just about money owed to the government, but also about what that money is for – supporting the essential functions of society that allow everyone to live in peace. Similarly, "fear" and "honor" aren't just about appeasing authorities, but about recognizing the God-given role they play in maintaining order and justice.
Paul is explaining how Christians should relate to governing authorities, emphasizing that these authorities are established by God to maintain order and punish wrongdoing. He's building on the idea that resisting them is resisting God's own design, so he concludes by detailing the specific ways citizens should fulfill their obligations to those in power. This practical advice sets the stage for the subsequent instruction that love for one another fulfills the rest of the law.
We often focus on paying taxes, but Paul lists more than just financial obligations. What else do we owe?
Paul's command to 'render to all what is owed' isn't just about money. It's a comprehensive call to fulfill our responsibilities in society.
Financial Obligations
Personal Obligations
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These are not arbitrary demands but 'dues' – debts that are rightfully owed because of the structures God has put in place for order and well-being.
Why does God call us to pay taxes and respect leaders, even when they aren't perfect?
Paul grounds our civic duties not just in potential earthly consequences (like wrath), but in a deeper, spiritual motivation.
Conscience Before God
God's Ordained System
Understand the original words
phobos · Greek Noun
A deep-seated, often reverential regard for someone in a position of authority or status. It entails acknowledging the position God has ordained for that individual and responding with appropriate deference.
timē · Greek Noun
Recognition, esteem, or glory bestowed upon someone due to their position or character. It is the outward expression of high value placed on another person.
Writing from Rome, likely during imprisonment, Paul addresses Christians from diverse backgrounds, some possibly affected by earlier Roman policies like Claudius's expulsion. He emphasizes civic duties like paying taxes and showing respect, urging them to live peaceably under Roman rule, especially as Christians began to face scrutiny and persecution.
c. 4 BCE - 30 CE
Roman Rule in Judea
The Roman Empire, under emperors like Augustus and Tiberius, exerted direct or indirect control over Judea through appointed governors and client kings. This period was marked by Roman taxation and legal systems, which Paul's audience would have experienced.
c. 49 CE
Claudius Expels Jews from Rome
Emperor Claudius expelled Jews from Rome, a significant event that may have impacted many of Paul's Roman Christian audience, potentially including Jewish believers returning to the city after this decree was lifted. This context highlights the varied backgrounds of Roman Christians.
c. 60-62 CE— this verse
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Paul wrote the Epistle to the Romans likely during his imprisonment in Rome. This setting would have informed his perspective on Roman authority and Christian conduct within the Empire.
c. 64 CE
Great Fire of Rome and Persecution
The Great Fire of Rome led to widespread persecution of Christians, falsely blamed by Emperor Nero. This backdrop likely intensified the need for Christians to demonstrate their loyalty to the state and their adherence to civic duties.
This passage directly echoes Jesus' teaching to 'render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's,' establishing the foundational principle of distinguishing civic and divine obligations.
1 Peter 2:13-17Peter reinforces Paul's instruction, urging believers to 'be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,' and specifically mentioning honoring the emperor, highlighting the spiritual dimension of civic obedience.
Proverbs 8:15-16This passage speaks to the divine source of governmental authority, stating 'By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; by me princes rule, and nobles, and all who govern justly,' aligning with the idea that rulers' authority ultimately comes from God.
Luke 3:12-14During John the Baptist's ministry, tax collectors and soldiers asked about their duties, and he instructed them to 'collect no more than you are appointed to collect' and to 'do not extort money from anyone by force or by false accusation, but be content with your wages,' providing practical examples of righteous conduct within their roles.
barnesRomans 13:7: "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour."
Render therefore ... - This injunction is often repeated in the Bible; see the notes at Matthew 22:21 ; see also Matthew 17:25-27 ; 1 Peter 2:13-17 ; Proverbs 24:21 . It is one of the most lovely and obvious of the duties of religion. Christianity is not designed to break in upon the proper order of society, but rather to establish and confirm that…
bengelRomans 13:7: "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour."
Romans 13:7 . Ὀφειλὰς ), debts .— τῷ , an abbreviated mode of expression,[137] as in 2 Corinthians 8:15 , note.— ΦὉΡΟΝ, ΤΈΛΟς ) with respect to the thing itself; ΦΌΡΟς is the genus, ΤΈΛΟς the species.— ΦΌΒΟΝ, ΤΙΜῊΝ , fear, honour ) with the mind, and words and gestures. φόβος , respect , a higher degree of honour . [137] See Appendix. Concisa Locuti…
What's easy to miss is that "taxes" and "revenue" aren't just about money owed to the government, but also about what that money is for – supporting the essential functions of society that allow everyone to live in peace. Similarly, "fear" and "honor" aren't just about appeasing authorities, but about recognizing the God-given role they play in maintaining order and justice.
Paul is explaining how Christians should relate to governing authorities, emphasizing that these authorities are established by God to maintain order and punish wrongdoing. He's building on the idea that resisting them is resisting God's own design, so he concludes by detailing the specific ways citizens should fulfill their obligations to those in power. This practical advice sets the stage for the subsequent instruction that love for one another fulfills the rest of the law.
Paul is explaining how Christians should relate to governing authorities, emphasizing that these authorities are established by God to maintain order and punish wrongdoing. He's building on the idea that resisting them is resisting God's own design, so he concludes by detailing the specific ways citizens should fulfill their obligations to those in power. This practical advice sets the stage for the subsequent instruction that love for one another fulfills the rest of the law.
"Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed." — What's easy to miss is that "taxes" and "revenue" aren't just about money owed to the government, but also about what that money is for – supporting the essential functions of society that allow ev…
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