Tertullian · a new plain-English translation from the original language
[1] Plainly he warns the Romans to be subject to all authorities, "because there is no authority except from God," and because it does not bear the sword without cause, and because it is "God's minister," yes, and "an avenger," he says, "for wrath against him who does evil." For he had already said beforehand: "Rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to evil. Do you wish to have no fear of authority? Do good, and you will have praise from it. It is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid." [2] Thus he does not command you to be subject to the authorities as an occasion for evading martyrdom, but as an incitement to live rightly, even with an eye to their office — as helpers of justice, as it were, as ministers of divine judgment, passing sentence here and now even on the guilty. Then he goes on to explain how he wants you subject to the authorities, bidding: "Render to whom tribute is due, tribute; to whom custom, custom" — that is, "the things that are Caesar's to Caesar, and the things that are God's to God"; but man belongs to God alone. [3] Peter, of course, had likewise laid it down that the king is indeed to be honored — but only so far as the king is honored while he keeps to his own province, and stays far from claiming divine honors; because "father and mother, too, are to be loved," yet not set on a level with God. But to love even one's own soul above God will never be permitted.