13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom {e} fear; honour to whom {f} honour.
(e) Obedience, and that from the heart.
(f) Reverence, which (as we have reason) we must give to the magistrate.
13:7 Render therefore to all their dues. To all rulers. Render them whatever they have a right to claim.
Tribute. Direct taxes, whether upon persons or property.
Custom. A toll on goods, similar to the modern tariff. It was usually collected at the gates of cities on all goods entering. See Mt 9:9.
13:7 To all - Magistrates. Tribute - Taxes on your persons or estates. Custom - For goods exported or imported. Fear - Obedience. Honour - Reverence. All these are due to the supreme power.
13:1-7 The grace of the gospel teaches us submission and quiet, where pride and the carnal mind only see causes for murmuring and discontent. Whatever the persons in authority over us themselves may be, yet the just power they have, must be submitted to and obeyed. In the general course of human affairs, rulers are not a terror to honest, quiet, and good subjects, but to evil-doers. Such is the power of sin and corruption, that many will be kept back from crimes only by the fear of punishment. Thou hast the benefit of the government, therefore do what thou canst to preserve it, and nothing to disturb it. This directs private persons to behave quietly and peaceably where God has set them, 1Ti 2:1,2. Christians must not use any trick or fraud. All smuggling, dealing in contraband goods, withholding or evading duties, is rebellion against the express command of God. Thus honest neighbours are robbed, who will have to pay the more; and the crimes of smugglers, and others who join with them, are abetted. It is painful that some professors of the gospel should countenance such dishonest practices. The lesson here taught it becomes all Christians to learn and practise, that the godly in the land will always be found the quiet and the peaceable in the land, whatever others are.
