The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• The Calvin Translation Society, Instituted In May M.DCCC.XLIII.
• Translator’s Preface.
• Commentaries On the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans.
• The Epistle Dedicatory.
• Epistle to the Romans.: the Argument.
• Chapter I.
• Chapter II.
• Chapter III.
• Chapter IV.
• Chapter V.
• Chapter VI.
• Chapter VII.
• Chapter VIII.
• Chapter IX.
• Chapter X.
• Chapter XI.
• Chapter XII.
• Chapter XIII.
• Chapter XIV.
• Chapter XV. 1
• Chapter XVI.
• A Translation of Calvin’s Version of the Epistle to the Romans.
• Chapter I.
• Chapter II.
• Chapter III.
• Chapter IV.
• Chapter V.
• Chapter VI.
• Chapter VII.
• Chapter VIII.
• Chapter IX.
• Chapter X.
• Chapter XI.
• Chapter XII.
• Chapter XIII.
• Chapter XIV.
• Chapter XV.
• Chapter XVI.
• Errata.
• Works Published By T. and T. Clark, Edinburgh.

CHAPTER XIII.

1Let every soul be subject to the supreme powers; for there is no power but from God; and the powers that be have been2 ordained by God. He therefore who resists the power, resists the ordination of God; and they who resist, shall for themselves receive judgment.

3For princes are not for terror to good but to evil works: wouldest thou then not fear the power? Do good, and from it4 thou shalt have praise; for he is God’s minister to thee for good: but if thou doest any evil, fear; for not in vain does he bear the sword, since he is God’s minister, an avenger for wrath5 against those who do evil. It is therefore necessary to be subject, not only on account of wrath, but also on account of conscience.

6For this reason also pay tributes, since they are God’s ministers,7 constantly attending to this very thing. Render then to all what is due; to whom tribute is due, tribute; to whom custom, custom; to whom fear, fear; to whom honour, honour.

8To no one owe ye anything, except to love one another; for he9 who loves another, has fulfilled the law; for this, “Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not bear false testimony, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other10 precept, it is comprehended in this saying, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Love works no evil to a neighbour; the fulfilling then of the law is love.

11Moreover, as ye know the time, that the hour is, when we ought to have awakened already from sleep, (for nearer is now12 our salvation than when we believed,) the night is far advanced, and the day has approached; let us then cast away the works13 of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light: let us walk decently as in the day, not in revellings and drunkenness, not in chamberings and lasciviousness, not in contention and envy;14 but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and have no care for the flesh for the sake of its lusts.