Romans 13:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Therefore from ancient times, by common consent, it has been accepted by all that rulers be supported at our expense. They leave their own affairs, care for public affairs, and spend all their time so that our property may remain untouched. But after speaking of external motives for recognizing authorities, the Apostle again returns to his former proof. In this way he could more easily draw the faithful to his side. He again shows that this is pleasing to God, and with this he concludes his exhortation, saying, “For they are God’s ministers.” Then, portraying the cares and labors of rulers, he adds, “attending continually to this very thing.” That is, their whole life is dedicated to this, and all their cares are directed to this, that you may enjoy peace. Therefore in another epistle Paul commands not only that we submit to rulers, but also that we pray for them. Showing the common benefit of this, he added, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life” (1 Tim 2:2). Rulers contribute not a little to the ordering of our present life. They act with arms, repel enemies, pacify rebels in cities, and resolve every quarrel. Do not tell me that someone uses authority for evil. Instead, pay attention to the good order of the structure, and you will see great wisdom in the one who first ordained it.

Therefore, after speaking of taxes, the Apostle affirms with new force: “They are God’s ministers, attending continually to this very thing,” that is, service to God. Here they are called by a more sacred name, λειτουργοὶ, and not διάκονοι as in verse 4. This shows that their service too is sacred, and that by dedicating their labor to the common good, they thereby offer a continual sacrifice to God Himself. The same word appears in Heb 8:2; Rom 15:16; cf. Heb 10:11.

On the contrary, from ancient times it has been accepted by common consent that rulers should be maintained at our expense. For they leave their own affairs and care for public affairs, spending all their time in concerns that our property may remain untouched. After bringing motives drawn from without, the Apostle returns again to his former proof, for in this way he could more easily draw the faithful to his side. Therefore he again shows that this is pleasing to God, and concludes his exhortations by saying, “For they are God’s ministers.” Then, portraying the labors and cares connected with authority, he adds, “attending continually to this very thing.” That is, their whole life is dedicated to this, and all their cares are about this, that you may enjoy peace. “Attending continually,” προσκαρτεροϋντες, means laboring over something without sleep. Therefore in another epistle Paul commands not only that we submit to rulers, but also that we pray for them. Showing the common benefit of this, he added, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life” (1 Tim 2:2). For rulers contribute not a little to the tranquility of our present life by taking up arms against enemies, repelling them, quieting internal disorders, and resolving all disputes. Do not tell me that someone uses authority for evil. Rather, pay attention to the harmonious order of the civil institution and consider how much wisdom there was in the one who first ordained this” (Saint Chrysostom).