“Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”
Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. — Apodidōmi (give back, repay) dues (opheilemata) establishes reciprocity: financial obligations (telos, tax; agora, customs) and relational ones (phobos, fear/respect; timē, honor). The word fear (phobos) here likely means respect rather than terror. Honor (timē) acknowledges authority's divinely-ordained position.
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
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