Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Romans: Chapter 13].
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13:1 {Every soul} (\p•sa psuch•\). As in 2:9; Ac 2:43. A
Hebraism for \p•s anthr•pos\ (every man). {To the higher powers}
(\exousiais huperechousais\). Abstract for concrete. See Mr
2:10 for \exousia\. \Huperech•\ is an old verb to have or hold
over, to be above or supreme, as in 1Pe 2:13. {Except by God}
(\ei m• hupo theou\). So the best MSS. rather than \apo theou\
(from God). God is the author of order, not anarchy. {The powers
that be} (\hai ousai\). "The existing authorities" (supply
\exousiai\). Art ordained (\tetagmenai eisin\). Periphrastic
perfect passive indicative of \tass•\, "stand ordained by God."
Paul is not arguing for the divine right of kings or for any
special form of government, but for government and order. Nor
does he oppose here revolution for a change of government, but he
does oppose all lawlessness and disorder.
13:2 {He that resisteth} (\ho antitassomenos\). Present middle
articular participle of \antitass•\, old verb to range in battle
against as in Ac 18:6, "he that lines himself up against."
{Withstandeth} (\anthest•ken\). Perfect active indicative of
\anthist•mi\ and intransitive, "has taken his stand against."
{The ordinance of God} (\t•i tou theou diatag•i\). Late word, but
common in papyri (Deissmann, _Light, etc._, p. 89), in N.T. only
here and Ac 7:53. Note repetition of root of \tass•\. {To
themselves} (\heautois\). Dative of disadvantage. See Mr 12:40
for "shall receive a judgment" (\krina l•mpsontai\). Future
middle of \lamban•\.
13:3 {A terror} (\phobos\). This meaning in Isa 8:13. Paul does
not approve all that rulers do, but he is speaking generally of
the ideal before rulers. Nero was Emperor at this time. {From the
same} (\ex aut•s\). "From it" (\exousia\, personified in verse
4).
13:4 {A minister of God} (\theou diakonos\). General sense of
\diakonos\. Of course even Nero was God's minister "to thee
(\soi\ ethical dative) for good (\eis to agathon\, for the
good)." That is the ideal, the goal. {Beareth} (\phorei\).
Present active indicative of \phore•\, old frequentative form of
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Word Pictures in the New Testament
(Romans: Chapter 13)