Rom 13:7 | RWP | e4.org | Dues ( οφειλας ). Debts, from οφειλω , to owe. Often so in the papyri, though not in Greek authors. In N.T. only here, ; . Paying debts needs emphasis today, even for ministers. To whom tribute is due ( τω τον φορον ). We must supply a participle with the article τω like απαιτουντ ("to the one asking tribute"). So with the other words (to whom custom, τω το τελος απαιτουντ ; to whom fear, τω τον φοβον απαιτουντ ; to whom honour, τω την τιμην απαιτουντ ). Φορος is the tribute paid to a subject nation ( ), while τελος is tax for support of civil government ( ).

‏ Romans 13:7

Dues ( οφειλας ). Debts, from οφειλω, to owe. Often so in the papyri, though not in Greek authors. In N.T. only here, Mt 18:32; 1Co 7:3. Paying debts needs emphasis today, even for ministers.

To whom tribute is due ( τω τον φορον ). We must supply a participle with the article τω like απαιτουντ ("to the one asking tribute"). So with the other words (to whom custom, τω το τελος απαιτουντ; to whom fear, τω τον φοβον απαιτουντ; to whom honour, τω την τιμην απαιτουντ ). Φορος is the tribute paid to a subject nation (Lu 20:22), while τελος is tax for support of civil government (Mt 17:25).