Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Romans 13:6
For this cause, i.e. in token, or in testimony, of that subjection you owe to magistracy, pay ye tribute: the word is plural in the original, and thereby is intended all taxes and burdens, which are legally and customarily imposed. For they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing: this is a reason why tribute should be paid to rulers; but it is for the support of their authority, and a due recompence for their great care and industry. When he says, they attend... read more
Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 13:1-7
Romans 13:1-Judges : . Order and Loyalty.— On the turbulence of Roman Jews, see Introd. § 3 . Romans 13:1 f. “ Let every soul be subordinate to superior authorities,” a general maxim, with two reasons given: that “ authority is of Divine institution” ( cf. John 19:11, Psalms 82:6, etc.), and that “ the existing authorities” (of the Empire) “ are ordained by God, so that he who is insubordinate resists the ordinance of God and resisters will incur judgment.” There is a play on the idea of ... read more