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 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 13:1 | 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) |
| Romans 13:2 | Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. | Romans 13:2 (NKJV) |
| Romans 13:3 | For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same. | Romans 13:3 (NKJV) |
| Romans 13:4 | For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. | Romans 13:4 (NKJV) |
| Romans 13:5 | Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. | Romans 13:5 (NKJV) |
| Romans 13:6 | For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. | Romans 13:6 (NKJV) |
| Romans 13:7 | Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. | Romans 13:7 (NKJV) |
| 1 Peter 2:13-17 | Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. ... Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. | 1 Peter 2:13-17 (NKJV) |
| Titus 3:1 | Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magis-trates, to be ready to every good work. | Titus 3:1 (NKJV) |
| 1 Timothy 2:1-2 | I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. | 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV) |
| Matthew 22:21 | They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. | Matthew 22:21 (NKJV) |
| Acts 5:29 | Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. | Acts 5:29 (NKJV) |
| John 19:11 | Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. | John 19:11 (NKJV) |
| Daniel 2:21 | And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: | Daniel 2:21 (NKJV) |
| Daniel 4:17 | This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and by the sentence of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. | Daniel 4:17 (NKJV) |
| Exodus 18:21 | Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. | Exodus 18:21 (NKJV) |
| Psalm 75:7 | But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and lifteth up another. | Psalm 75:7 (NKJV) |
| Proverbs 8:15 | By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. | Proverbs 8:15 (NKJV) |
| Joshua 1:8 | This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. | Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) |
| Deuteronomy 17:14-20 | When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; ... That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel. | Deuteronomy 17:14-20 (NKJV) |
| Acts 4:19 | But Peter and John answered them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. | Acts 4:19 (NKJV) |
| Romans 14:4 | Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. | Romans 14:4 (NKJV) |
Romans 13 verses
Romans 13 1 Meaning
Every person should submit to the governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Romans 13 1 Context
This chapter is part of Paul's letter to the believers in Rome. Having established the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in Romans, Paul moves to practical instruction on how Christians should live. Chapter 13 begins by addressing the believers' relationship with civil authorities. The historical context in Rome was that Christians were a minority group, and there were varying views on their civic responsibilities, sometimes fueled by persecution or misunderstanding of Christian distinctives. The prevailing governmental power was the Roman Empire.
Romans 13 1 Word analysis
Let (Estō): Greek for "let be," "stand," or "continue to be." It indicates a state of being or a command to allow something to exist as it is. It’s an imperative, a direct instruction.
every (pas): Greek for "all" or "every." It signifies comprehensiveness, meaning no one is exempt.
soul (psychē): Greek for "soul," "life," "self," or "person." In this context, it refers to the individual person.
be subject (hypotassē): Greek for "to put in order under," "to place oneself under the authority of," or "to subordinate oneself." It implies a willing submission and recognition of order, not servile cowering.
to (eis): Greek preposition indicating "into" or "to." Here it signifies direction and the object of submission.
the (tas): Greek definite article, masculine accusative plural. Refers to specific governing authorities.
governing (huperkeisēs): Greek for "over," "above," or "superior." It points to those who hold authority or power over others.
authorities (exousiais): Greek for "power," "authority," or "right." This refers to recognized legitimate governing powers and the people who hold that power.
For (gar): Greek conjunction meaning "for," "because." It introduces a reason or explanation for the preceding command.
there is (esti): Greek for "is" or "exists."
no (ouk): Greek for "not."
power (exousia): Greek again for "authority" or "power." It's the same word used for "authorities," emphasizing that governing power itself is the subject.
but (ei mē): Greek for "except" or "but." Used here to qualify the statement, meaning "none except from God."
of God (apo tou theou): Greek for "from God." Indicates the source of the authority.
the powers (hai ontos): Greek for "the existing ones" or "the ones which are."
that (hai): Greek relative pronoun referring back to "powers."
be (ousai): Greek participle of "to be," present tense.
instituted (tatasmenai): Greek for "to set," "to appoint," or "to arrange." It carries the sense of divine ordination or establishment.
by God (hupo tou theou): Greek preposition "by" or "from," with God as the agent.
Romans 13 1 Bonus section
The concept of "powers that be" being "ordained of God" (tatasmenai) connects to Old Testament understandings where God appointed kings and established governments. For example, in Daniel, the sovereignty of God over earthly kingdoms is a recurring theme, stating "the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will" (Daniel 4:17). This teaching counters any thought that believers should operate outside or against the governing structures in place. It establishes a framework of respect for governmental authority that is grounded in theology, not merely pragmatism. However, this does not imply endorsement of every governmental action or policy, but rather the recognition of the office and the authority granted by God for maintaining order. The limitation comes into play when such authorities command what God forbids, as exemplified by the apostles' response: "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).
Romans 13 1 Commentary
This verse lays a foundational principle for Christian interaction with governments. Believers are explicitly commanded to submit to the established governing authorities. This submission is not conditional on the ruler's personal virtue but on the divine source of authority. God is the ultimate sovereign, and human governments, in their legitimate function, derive their authority from Him. Therefore, obeying governmental authorities, within their God-ordained sphere, is an act of obedience to God. This principle acknowledges the necessity of civil order and structure for society. The submission described is not absolute; it is subordinate to God's higher authority, as demonstrated when human commands contradict divine law.
- Practical application: Christians should respect and obey laws, pay taxes, and honor civil leaders as part of their civic duty and religious conviction. This includes cooperating with authorities for good works and living peacefully.