Romans 13:3-5 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

For rulers In general, notwithstanding some particular exceptions; are not a terror to good works Were not ordained, and do not use to punish those that do well, and conform to good laws; but to the evil From which they deter people by punishing those who do them. Wilt thou Wouldest thou then; not be afraid of the power Of the high authority with which they are invested? Do that which is good Carefully perform the good actions which they enjoin, and, according to the general course of administration, thou shalt have Not only protection, but praise and respect from it. There is one fear that precedes evil actions, and deters from them: this should always remain. There is another which follows evil actions: they who do well are free from this. For he is According to the original appointment, to be considered as elevated above his fellow-men, not for his own indulgence, dominion, and advantage, but that he might be to thee, and to all the rest of his subjects, as the minister of God for good By maintaining all in their just possessions, and protecting them from all injury and violence. But if thou do that which is evil And so makest thyself the enemy of that society of which he is the guardian; be afraid Thou hast reason to be so. For he beareth not the sword in vain Namely, the sword of justice, the instrument of capital punishment, which God hath put into his hands, and hath authorized him to use against malefactors. A revenger to execute wrath Not his own personal resentment, but the wrath of a righteous Providence; upon him that doeth evil In instances wherein it would be highly improper to leave that avenging power in the hands of private injured persons. Therefore a sense of duty to God, as well as prudence and human virtue, will teach you, that you must needs be subject, not only for fear of wrath That is, punishment from man; but for conscience' sake Out of obedience to God. It must be well observed, that “the apostle did not mean that they were to be subject to the sinful laws of the countries where they lived, otherwise he made it necessary for the Roman brethren to join in the worship of idols, contrary to the superior obligation they were under of obeying God rather than man. Besides, by telling them they were to be subject on account of conscience, he intimated that the subjection which he enjoined did not extend to things sinful.”