13:1 - Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Martyrdom of Polycarp
" But Polycarp said, "To thee I have thought it right to offer an account [of my faith]; for we are taught to give all due honour (which entails no injury upon ourselves) to the powers and authorities which are ordained of God.[28]Irenaeus Against Heresies Book V
Paul the apostle also says upon this same subject: "Be ye subject to all the higher powers; for there is no power but of God: now those which are have been ordained of God."[209]Tertullian Scorpiace
No doubt the apostle admonishes the Romans[106]Origen Against Celsus Book VIII
For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God."[119]Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book IV
Render all the fear that is due to them, all offerings, all customs, all honour, gifts, and taxes.[34]
13:2 - Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
The Second Epistle of Pope Fabian
For his other actings, however, he is rather to be borne with by his flock and those put under him, than accused or made the subject of public detraction; because when any offence is committed in these matters by those put under them, His ordinance is withstood who set them before him, as the apostle says, "Whosoever resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God."[25]
13:3 - For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same:
Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book I
For if rulers are not a terror to a good work, how shall God, who is by nature good, be a terror to him who sins not? "If thou doest evil, be afraid,"[216]Cyprian Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews
In the Epistle of Paul to the Romans: "Wilt thou not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shall have praise of it."[593]
13:4 - For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book V
And again, in reference to them he says, "For he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, the avenger for wrath to him who does evil."[210]Tertullian A Treatise on the Soul
Who would not prefer the justice of the world, which, as the apostle himself testifies, "beareth not the sword in vain,"[235]
13:6 - For for this cause pay all of you tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Tertullian Scorpiace
Then he goes on also to show how he wishes you to be subject to the powers, bidding you pay "tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom,"[107]
13:7 - Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Theophilus to Autolycus Book III
And it teaches us to render all things to all,[32]Cyprian Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews
Also to the Romans: "Render to all what is due: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour; owe no man anything, except to love another."[399]
13:8 - Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book V
and, "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God: "[72]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book IV
"who hates evil, having love unfeigned; for he that loveth another fulfilleth the law."[76]Tertullian On Idolatry
How much sooner does he who carves a Mars out of a lime-tree, fasten together a chest! No art but is either mother or kinswoman of some neighbour[42]
13:9 - For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book VII
."[179]Tertullian An Answer to the Jews
all the precepts which afterwards sprouted forth when given through Moses; that is, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God from thy whole heart and out of thy whole soul; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself;[18]Tertullian Against Marcion Book V
Very properly, then, did he sum up the entire teaching of the Creator in this precept of His: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."[695]Tertullian On the Apparel of Women Book II
Are we to paint ourselves out that our neighbours may perish? Where, then, is (the command), "Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself? "[17]
13:10 - Love works no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
But if He had descended from another Father, He never would have made use of the first and greatest commandment of the law; but He would undoubtedly have endeavoured by all means to bring down a greater one than this from the perfect Father, so as not to make use of that which had been given by the God of the law. And Paul in like manner declares, "Love is the fulfilling of the law: "[141]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book IV
neither injuring nor revenging ever, but, in a word, doing good to all according to the image of God. "Love is," then, "the fulfilling of the law; "[177]The Second Epistle of Pope Fabian
and," Love worketh no ill to his neighbour."[5]
13:11 - And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book IV
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light."[213]
13:12 - The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book II
For the apostle decrees that, "putting off the works of darkness, we should put on the armour of light, walking honestly as in the day, not spending our time in rioting and drunkenness, in chambering and wantonness."[100]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book III
Non enim "carnis curam gerere ad concupiscentias" didicimus; "honeste autem tanquam in die," Christo, et Dominica lucida vitae institutione, "ambulantes, non in comessationibus et ebrietatibus, non in cubilibus et impudicitiis, non in litibus et contentionibus."[94]Cyprian Treatise X On Jealousy and Envy
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in lusts and wantonness, not in strifes and jealousy."[23]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XI
that is opposed to the Holy Spirit, then we believe that when the fourth watch impendeth, when "the night is far spent, and the day is at hand,"[55]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XII
But when He is transfigured, His face also shines as the sun, that He may be manifested to the children of light, who have put off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light,[230]
13:13 - Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book IV
We shall, however, treat of prayer in due course by and by. But we ought to have works that cry aloud, as becoming "those who walk in the day."[258]Tertullian On Fasting
Which alliance the apostle withal was aware of; and hence, after premising, "Not in drunkenness and revels," he adjoined, "nor in couches and lusts."[118]Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas
and if costly dinners, about these we have received a commandment to keep away from them, not to be burdened by carousing and drunkenness and the cares of life;[27]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XII
and are no longer the children of darkness or night, but have become the sons of day, and walk honestly as in the day;[231]
13:14 - But put all of you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
Epistle of Ignatius to the Tarsians
"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."[35]Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book III
For the divine apostle most beautifully counsels us "to put on Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the lusts of the flesh."[100]Tertullian On Monogamy
On the ground of continence the priests likewise of the famous Egyptian bull will judge the "infirmity" of Christians. Blush, O flesh, who hast "put on"[116]Origen de Principiis Book II
And do not be surprised if we speak of a perfect soul as the clothing of the body (which, on account of the Word of God and His wisdom, is now named incorruption), when Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Lord and Creator of the soul, is said to be the clothing of the saints, according to the language of the apostle, "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ."[14]The First Epistle of Clement Concerning Virginity
Those, therefore, who imitate Christ, imitate Him earnestly. For those who have "put on Christ"[57]