Romans 13:1-7: An Historical and Exegetical Analysis

Schmalhofer, Travis A.

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Romans 13:1-7: An Historical and Exegetical Analysis

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MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Schmalhofer, Travis A. Romans 13:1-7: An Historical and Exegetical Analysis. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/7ce22f37-a77f-4fb5-86ba-b8c216344246.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

S. T. A. Romans 13:1-7: An Historical and Exegetical Analysis. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/7ce22f37-a77f-4fb5-86ba-b8c216344246

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Schmalhofer, Travis A. Romans 13:1-7: An Historical and Exegetical Analysis. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/7ce22f37-a77f-4fb5-86ba-b8c216344246.

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Schmalhofer, Travis A.

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Abstract

Romans 13:1-7 provides a general overview of the apostle Paul’s understanding of the role of government in society and the responsibilities of the members of society toward the government. The aim of this thesis is to analyze the history of interpretation on Romans 13:1-7, and then to provide a fresh interpretation of it, with interaction from modern commentaries. Some key questions about Romans 13:1-7 have arisen over the centuries: (1) To whom does Paul refer when he talks about the “governing authorities”?; (2) Whose judgment does Paul reference in vs. 2? Is God the judge in view, or is it the governing authorities?; (3) Does Paul condone capital punishment in vs. 4, where he references the sword?; (4) Does “wrath” refer to eternal condemnation, or temporal punishment in vs. 4?; (5) What does Paul mean by referring to the governing authorities as “God’s servants” and “ministers of God”? Is he putting them on a par with ecclesiastical authorities?; (6) Is this passage supposed to be understood as a universal rule for the Church throughout history, or was it intended to be guidance for the Christians in Rome around A.D. 55? After a concise introduction, there is a detailed annotated translation of Romans 13:1-7, which provides insight into the translational and interpretive decisions made by the author. After a general introduction in Chapter 1, then Chapters 2-4 present an analysis of some key figures in the history of interpretation from the Early Church to the Reformation. Specifically, we examine commentaries and sermons written by Origen, John Chrysostom, Augustine, Peter Abelard, William of St. Thierry, Nicholas of Lyra, Martin Luther, and John Calvin. Chapter 5 is devoted to a new examination of Romans 13:1-7 by the present author and modern commentaries are consulted throughout to provide an accurate interpretation of the passage.

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