Romans 13 1

Romans 13:1 kjv

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.

Romans 13:1 nkjv

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

Romans 13:1 niv

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Romans 13:1 esv

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Romans 13:1 nlt

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

Romans 13 verses

Romans 13 1 Meaning

Romans 13:1 mandates that every individual must willingly submit to the governing authorities established by God. The fundamental reason given is that all legitimate authority, by its very nature and institution, originates from God. Therefore, the powers currently in existence have been specifically arranged and placed in their positions by divine appointment.

Romans 13 1 Context

Romans 13:1 is a critical part of Paul's teaching on practical Christian living, following his foundational discussions on theological truths (Rom 1-11) and calls for personal transformation (Rom 12:1-2). Chapter 12 emphasizes renewed minds and living out love within the community of believers and towards outsiders, including enemies. Romans 13 then specifically addresses the Christian's relationship with external governing authorities. It sits as a practical instruction alongside duties like paying debts (Rom 13:8) and loving one's neighbor (Rom 13:9-10), concluding with an appeal to live righteously in light of Christ's imminent return (Rom 13:11-14). Historically, Paul was writing to Christians in Rome, the heart of the Roman Empire, where loyalties could be perceived as divided between Caesar and Christ. Jewish communities, from which Christianity emerged, often struggled with Roman rule, some groups advocating rebellion. This passage clarifies that believers are to be exemplary citizens, honoring civil order as divinely established, counteracting potential accusations of sedition or an anarchist outlook.

Romans 13 1 Word analysis

• Let every soul (πᾶσα ψυχή - pasa psychē): "Every soul" emphasizes universal application to all individuals, without exception for social status, spiritual gifting, or perceived righteousness. "Soul" signifies the whole person, their entire being, implying total and internal disposition of submission, not just outward conformity. This aligns with Paul's call for renewed minds in Rom 12.

• be subject (ὑποτασσέσθω - hypotassesthō): A present passive imperative verb, meaning "let himself be subjected." It implies a voluntary, continuous, and personal act of putting oneself under authority. The root verb tassō is a military term, "to arrange under," but here denotes respectful subordination, not forced compliance.

• to the higher powers (ἐξουσίαις ὑπερεχούσαις - exousiais hyperechousais):

  • Exousiais: "authorities" or "powers." This refers specifically to the legitimate civil and governmental authorities of society, distinct from any spiritual powers. It denotes the right and ability to govern.
  • Hyperechousais: "superior," "preeminent," "supreme." These are the ruling, existing, and functional governmental authorities in a given context.

• For there is no power but of God: (Οὐ γὰρ ἔστιν ἐξουσία εἰ μὴ ἀπὸ θεοῦ - Ou gar estin exousia ei mē apo theou): The particle gar ("for") introduces the fundamental theological reason for submission. God is the ultimate origin and source of all legitimate governmental authority. This statement focuses on the institution of governing power as divinely ordained, not necessarily endorsing every act or individual ruler's character.

• the powers that be are ordained of God. (αἱ δὲ οὖσαι ἐξουσίαι ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ τεταγμέναι εἰσίν - hai de ousai exousiai hypo tou theou tetagmenai eisin):

  • Ousai: "being" or "existing." Refers to the current, functioning authorities.
  • Tetagmenai: A perfect passive participle of tassō. Means "to have been arranged," "appointed," "instituted," or "ordered." It denotes God's active, completed, and established ordering of these powers. It implies divine establishment and placement, indicating a sovereign act by God, not merely a passive allowance.

• "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.": This phrase establishes the universal scope and the proactive nature of the commanded submission. It’s an ethical demand for all Christians to embrace civic order willingly. The term "higher powers" explicitly directs this submission towards human, governmental authority, setting the stage for subsequent commands regarding respect and tax payment in the chapter.

• "For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.": This two-part clause provides the theological bedrock for the preceding command. It posits that civil authority is not a mere human construct or an unfortunate necessity, but rather a divinely instituted order. The repetition of the idea ("no power but of God" and "ordained of God") underscores God's absolute sovereignty and purposeful involvement in establishing the framework of governmental authority, grounding Christian civic duties in a cosmic theological truth.

Romans 13 1 Bonus section

• Nature of "Ordained": The Greek tetagmenai (ordained/appointed) signifies that governmental authorities are not merely "permitted" by God but actively "set in place" or "arranged" by Him. This emphasizes God's proactive role in establishing these structures. It doesn't imply God endorses every specific regime or their individual ungodly acts, but rather the concept and necessity of governing authority itself for societal order.
• Theological Foundation vs. Pragmatism: The basis for submission is primarily theological, not pragmatic. While there are pragmatic benefits to living peacefully under stable governance, Paul's core argument rests on God's sovereign arrangement of powers. This deepens the motivation for obedience beyond mere civic duty to a form of spiritual worship.
• Ethical Tension: While Romans 13:1 presents a strong default of submission, biblical wisdom recognizes a boundary where obedience to God must take precedence over obedience to human authorities (Acts 5:29). This tension arises when a governing power commands what is explicitly contrary to God's revealed will or attempts to usurp God's unique authority over conscience. This passage primarily addresses legitimate, albeit imperfect, governmental functions, setting the stage for this discernment rather than explicitly providing the limits, which are drawn from other biblical narratives.

Romans 13 1 Commentary

Romans 13:1 offers a concise yet profound statement on the Christian's responsibility toward governing authorities. It asserts that every individual believer is bound to a posture of voluntary submission. This is not out of fear of reprisal, but primarily because the very existence and function of civil government are rooted in God's sovereign will. God is the ultimate source from which all authority flows, and He has actively ordained and arranged existing governments for the purpose of maintaining order and, as later verses indicate, punishing evil and praising good. Paul does not suggest that individual rulers are infallible or that their every command is righteous; rather, he establishes the legitimacy of the institution of government itself as part of God's design for human society. This understanding removes the excuse for Christian anarchism or rebellion against lawful governance and encourages believers to be law-abiding citizens.

• Example for Practical Usage: A Christian driver choosing to strictly adhere to traffic laws (e.g., speed limits, stop signs) even when no police are present, seeing it as an act of submission to the divinely instituted order, not just human rule. Another example is willingly paying taxes, understanding it as contributing to the infrastructure and functions God uses to maintain society.