John Locke. A fragment of the “Paraphrase and Notes on the Epistles of St Paul” (Rom XIII. 1–7)

Preface and translation

Abstract

Translation of a fragment of one of Locke’s last major works named “A Paraphrase and Notes on the Epistles of St Paul” with a translators’ Preface, which traces Locke’s arguments tending to justify the resistance to the supreme powers and offer the corresponding interpretation of Paul’s famous ban on any opposition to political power. The main method applied by Locke is placing of Paul’s thesis into historical and personal context, and drawing the distinction between the power in abstract, and on the other hand the power of persons exercising it de facto. These last persons, in case they are not called by God or have no legal right to power or do iniquities and stay far from the law of nature, or act counter to the common good of the people, all these are due to be resisted and that with no fear of committing sin and incurring wrath from above. These conclusions though presupposed by the drift of Locke’s argument, remail prudently unvoiced by Locke, who keeps silence on the matter and expects from the readers the right understanding of his silences.