Romans 13:7
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Romans 13:7
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.
Chapter Context
Romans 13 is a theological epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of covenant, creation, salvation. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 57 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Christians in Rome navigated tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers under imperial watch.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-14: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it establishes important theological principles that resonate throughout Scripture. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Romans and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Romans 13:7
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.
Analysis
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour—Apodote pasin tas opheilas, tō ton phoron ton phoron, tō to telos to telos, tō ton phobon ton phobon, tō tēn timēn tēn timēn (ἀπόδοτε πᾶσιν τὰς ὀφειλάς, τῷ τὸν φόρον τὸν φόρον, τῷ τὸ τέλος τὸ τέλος, τῷ τὸν φόβον τὸν φόβον, τῷ τὴν τιμὴν τὴν τιμήν). The imperative apodote (render/pay back) echoes Jesus' 'render unto Caesar' (Matthew 22:21).
Opheilas (dues/debts) frames civic obligation as moral debt. Four categories: phoron (tribute—direct taxes), telos (custom—indirect taxes/tolls), phobon (fear—healthy respect for authority's power), and timēn (honor—esteem for office and person). The fourfold repetition (tribute...tribute, custom...custom) emphasizes specificity—give exactly what is owed to whom it's owed. Christians don't grudgingly submit but joyfully honor authority as God's institution.
Historical Context
Rome's tax system was complex: tributum (direct land/property taxes) and vectigalia (indirect customs/tolls). Tax collectors (telōnai) were despised as collaborators, yet Jesus and Paul command payment. This radical teaching distinguished Christianity from revolutionary movements. The early church became known for scrupulous civic obedience (even under persecution), leading Tertullian to write: 'We pray for emperors, for their ministers and powers, for the state of the world, for peace.' Christian integrity in taxation witnessed to gospel transformation.
Reflection
- How does the command to give '<em>phobon</em>' (fear) and '<em>timēn</em>' (honor) to authorities apply when you disagree with their policies or character?
- In what ways might you withhold honor or respect from governing authorities while claiming to submit to them?
- What is the relationship between 'rendering to Caesar' (civic duty) and 'rendering to God' (ultimate allegiance)—where's the line?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Exodus 20:12, Proverbs 24:21, Matthew 17:25, 22:21, Mark 12:17, Luke 20:25