Verse. 13. Submit your selves therefore to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake; whether it be to the King, as supreme;
Verse. 14. Or unto Governours, as unto them that are sent by him; for the punishment of evill doers, and for the praise of them that do well.
Verse. 15. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
Verse. 16. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloake of maliciousnesse, but as the servants of God.
Verse. 17. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Feare God Honour the King.
The Analysis
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In these words the Apostle sheweth that particular part of obedience, which did in a speciall manner pertaine to the honesty of the faithfull among the Gentiles, that is, subjection to the Magistrates, which some at that time did begin to cast off, as not agreeing with Christian liberty. Now this subjection he doth. 1. Generally command and direct us unto, to performe it for religion sake towards God, v. 13.2. By a distribution of the object, to wit, that we ought to performe it, not only to the King and the supreme Magistrate, but also to the governours that are sent by him. v. 13.14. 3. He doth perswade us thereunto, 1. From the end of this ordinance, to wit, that it is to represse and punish the evill doers, and to preserve and cherish the good v. 14. at the end. 2. From the efficient cause, or command of God, v. 15. 3. From the end and benefit of performing this subjection, to wit, to stop the mouthes of the enemies, who are described by their ignorance and their foolishnesse, v. 15. 4. He removes an objection that might be made against it, about Christian liberty, v. 16. Where he distinguisheth betwixt faigned liberty, which is joyned with maliciousnesse; and true liberty, that makes men to be addicted unto the service of God: Now that this subjection to superiours belongs to the service of God, he shewes v. 17. by a short repetition of those precepts, that belong to this and the like duties.
Here a Question may be made.
