Pelagius — Commentary on Scripture

Romans 12:13

Provide for those who need the services of others for a while, because they neglect their own affairs for the sake of Christ. Practice hospitality, because the saints did this too, e.g., Abraham and Lot, who detained even guests who were reluctant to stay.

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Romans 12:15

The Lord was brought to tears by the tears of Mary, to give us an example. For do not suppose that he wept for Lazarus, whom he would bring back to life, nor because of the unbelief of those who again and again did not believe him when he performed wonders. But now we do the opposite—we weep over those who rejoice and rejoice over those who weep. For if someone has been praised, we are unhappy. If someone has fallen, we leap for joy. When we behave in this way we show that we do not belong to the body of Christ, we who do not grieve for a member who has been cut off but are enemies of our own side and friends of the opposite side, who do not grieve when the strongest men of our battle line fall and do not rejoice if we see them fighting bravely, even though we ourselves are not mighty in battle.

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Romans 12:16

Regard one another as you regard yourselves. The person who desires to avenge his wrongs by himself thinks proud thoughts and does not agree to things humble, i.e., to humiliation. Do not boast of human wisdom, but be fools to the world so that you may be wise in the Lord.

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Romans 12:17

It is human wisdom if you seek to repay your enemies in turn, for it is foolishness in this world if, having been struck, you offer the other cheek as well. But if you have such great patience and humility, you will be found praiseworthy not only in the Lord’s eyes but also in the eyes of all people. Take care not to act so that you seek to please not God but only other people.

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Romans 12:18

Inasmuch as you can, be at peace with everybody … desiring their conversion and salvation.

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Romans 12:19

I will avenge the wrong, says the Lord, as my own, not as yours.

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Romans 12:20

Do not deny your enemy what God denies no one, even if he is a godless blasphemer. When he realizes that coals have been heaped upon him through your undeserved mercy, he may shake them off, that is, repent, and may love you whom at one time he hated. Otherwise it is not mercy but cruelty, if you show mercy so that something worse might befall him, for whom you are called to intercede to the Lord.

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Romans 13:1

This is an argument against those who thought that they were obliged to use their Christian freedom in such a way that they gave honor or paid taxes to nobody. Paul wants to humble such people in any way he can, so that they will not suffer reproach on account of their pride instead of on account of God.It seems that Paul is speaking of secular authorities, not all of whom will be just, even if they received their authority from God.… The ruler is set up by God to judge with righteousness, so that sinners might have reason to be afraid should they sin.

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Romans 13:2

As it was said to Rahab: “Whoever goes outside will be responsible for himself.”

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Romans 13:3

The wicked should be afraid of the authorities, but the good have no reason to fear, for they come into glory if they are killed unjustly. Paul says: “Take my advice and you will never be afraid.” Condemnation of the wicked is in itself commendation of the good.

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Romans 13:4

The authorities are concerned for your safety. They also have the responsibility to see to it that if you sin you do not profit thereby, because God does not love the wicked and hates all who “work iniquity.”

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Romans 13:5

You must be subject, not only because the authorities can become angry even without cause but also so that you may not be condemned for the consciousness of some sin.

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Romans 13:6

Taxes can also mean taxes for the priests, which were set up for them by God. Or this may mean that you pay taxes to rulers because, in possessing the world, you subjected yourselves to them willingly. Paul calls them “God’s servants,” so that people might render to them what they owe, lest it seem that Christ taught his followers pride.

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Romans 13:7

Even alms can be called a due. Revenue is ours to give to those who are passing by or to those who are seated by the roadside while we pass by.… Fear as well as honor must be given to those who are your superiors but only honor to your peers.

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Romans 13:8

Do not fail to repay debts. Only the debt of love should remain, because it can never be paid in full. According to the parable of the Lord, who bids us show mercy to everyone without distinction, we must think of every person as our neighbor. Paul mentioned love first because he was writing to the faithful and dealing with behavior proper to righteousness.

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Romans 13:9

The whole of righteousness is summed up in the love of one’s neighbor. Unrighteousness is born when we love ourselves more than others. For one who loves his neighbor as himself not only does him no wrong but also does him good. He knows how much he wishes both aspects to be done with regard to himself.

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Romans 13:10

Even not to do good is wrong. For if one sees that one’s neighbor is in danger of starvation, does one not kill him if, while one has an abundance, one does not give him food, though one has not used up one’s own provisions? For anyone who is able to help someone close to death in whatever situation of need kills that person if he does not come to his aid.

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Romans 13:11

It is the hour for you to strive for that which is more perfect and complete, for you should not always be children and infants.… Let us together rise from the sleep of idleness and ignorance, for now the knowledge of Christ shines forth. With the increase of knowledge our salvation is nearer than it was when we first believed.

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Romans 13:12

Paul likens knowledge to the day and ignorance to the night, in accordance with what Hosea says: “I have likened your mother to the night; my people have become as those who have no knowledge.” Let us therefore cast off the works of ignorance and put on the armor of light, that is, works of light.

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Romans 13:13

Just as the light of day keeps everyone from doing what he would freely do at night, so too, knowledge keeps us from ignoring the commands of the law. A revel is a luxurious banquet, but we have a spiritual feast. Moreover, that drunkenness is ruinous and an occasion for debauchery is further proved by the fact that Paul has added “licentiousness.” That quarrelling and jealousy are also objects of reproach is demonstrated both here and by many other examples.

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