Romans 13 7

Romans 13:7 kjv

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

Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Romans 13:7 niv

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.

Romans 13:7 esv

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Romans 13:7 nlt

Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

Romans 13 verses

Romans 13 7 Meaning

Romans 13:7 instructs believers to fulfill their civic and social obligations by rendering what is due to every person, especially to governing authorities. This includes paying taxes, customs duties, showing appropriate fear or reverence to those in power, and extending honor to whom it is rightfully deserved. It is a command for conscientious participation in society, rooted in the understanding that all legitimate authority is ultimately ordained by God. The verse underlines the importance of order, justice, and respect in the Christian walk, demonstrating good citizenship as an expression of faith.

Romans 13 7 Context

Romans chapter 13 immediately follows Paul's detailed exposition on the transforming power of Christian love and spiritual gifts in chapter 12, encouraging believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices and live in love and humility. Chapter 13 shifts to the believer's public life, specifically their relationship with governmental authorities. Verses 1-7 emphasize submission to rulers, not merely out of fear of punishment, but as a recognition that authorities are divinely instituted for the purpose of maintaining order and punishing evildoers. The passage contrasts the ideal function of government as a "minister of God" with any antinomian or anarchic tendencies some early Christians might have had. Verse 7 concludes this section by summarizing the practical implications of submission, explicitly listing financial and relational obligations, setting the stage for the universal obligation of love in verse 8. Historically, Christians in the Roman Empire faced tension between loyalty to Christ and loyalty to Caesar, with a particular concern over taxation and loyalty oaths. Paul's instruction provides guidance for peaceful and obedient living within an often hostile political landscape.

Romans 13 7 Word analysis

• Render (ἀποδίδωμι - apodidōmi): To give back, pay back, return what is owed or due. Implies fulfilling an obligation or debt. This is not merely an option but a required action. It highlights that the listed items are not gifts but lawful entitlements of the recipients.
• Therefore: Connects the command in verse 7 to the preceding explanation in verses 1-6 about the divine institution of government. It implies this action is a logical consequence of accepting authorities as God's ministers.
• To all: Signifies a comprehensive scope, applying to every person in a position of receiving. This universal aspect reinforces Christian ethics in public and private spheres. It transcends specific officials or roles, including those outside the state structure where respect or honor is warranted.
• Their dues (τὰς ὀφειλάς - tas opheilās): The things owed, debts, obligations. This noun captures the overarching principle that specific responsibilities exist towards others. It is an umbrella term for the specific categories that follow.
• Tribute (τὸν φόρον - ton phoron): A direct tax, often a poll tax or land tax imposed on persons or property. It was a fixed, usually annual, payment to the Roman government. This represented a substantial and often resented burden for many.
• To whom tribute is due (τῷ τὸν φόρον - tō ton phoron): The repetition ("to whom...") emphasizes the legitimacy and rightful claim of the authority to receive it. It is not an arbitrary demand but a just one.
• Custom (τὸ τέλος - to telos): Indirect taxes, customs duties, tolls, or tariffs collected at borders or markets. These were often managed by publicans (telonai), who were generally disliked for their role in Roman administration.
• Fear (τὸν φόβον - ton phobon): This refers not to terror or fright, but to reverence, respect, or awe. It is a healthy apprehension and deference towards those in authority due to their office and divine appointment. It implies acknowledging their power to judge and punish.
• Honour (τὴν τιμήν - tēn timēn): Esteem, high regard, respect, value. It is about treating someone with dignity and according them the respect due to their position or person, distinct from "fear" which denotes the specific deference owed to authority figures. This might include leaders, elders, parents, or generally respected individuals.

Words-group analysis:

• "Render therefore to all their dues": This opening phrase establishes a foundational principle for Christian living in society: a proactive posture of fulfilling obligations to everyone. It implies that these are not optional courtesies but non-negotiable requirements stemming from righteous conduct.
• "tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour": This four-part chiasmus (or rather, a parallel structure with chiasmus-like repetition of "to whom X is due") emphasizes clarity and comprehensive application. It separates obligations into financial (tribute, custom) and relational (fear, honor) categories. The explicit repetition underscores that each type of "due" has its specific, rightful recipient and purpose, requiring discernment from the believer. This structure makes the command undeniable and leaves no room for selective obedience based on personal preference.

Romans 13 7 Bonus section

The explicit naming of "tribute" (φόρος) and "custom" (τέλος) in the Greek text reflects the two primary forms of Roman taxation relevant to provincials, direct and indirect respectively. This precise language suggests Paul was addressing very real and common obligations faced by Christians in the empire, leaving no room for misunderstanding about the specific kinds of payments. The phrase "to whom it is due" (lit., "to the one who the X [is due]") implies that the specific individuals receiving these "dues" are legitimate recipients. It grounds the payment not in the individual character of the ruler but in the office or position that the authority occupies, consistent with Romans 13:1-5, where authorities derive their power from God regardless of their personal morality. The pairing of "fear" and "honor" signifies a graduated scale of respect. "Fear" is a profound reverence for power that commands awe, typically for very high-ranking officials or for God Himself. "Honor" is a general regard and esteem that should be extended to those deserving, like parents (Ex 20:12) or elders (1 Tim 5:17), or indeed, all people (1 Pet 2:17). This subtle distinction highlights the nuanced Christian response to different forms of authority and personhood.

Romans 13 7 Commentary

Romans 13:7 is a profound instruction on Christian ethics regarding civil and social responsibilities. Paul, having just stated that governing authorities are "ministers of God" (Rom 13:6), logically extends this by commanding believers to actively demonstrate their submission through tangible actions. The verse addresses two categories of obligations: financial (taxes and customs) and interpersonal (fear/respect and honor). Paying taxes and duties acknowledges the authority's right to govern and fund its operations, even if one disagrees with policies. "Fear" refers to the awe and respectful submission appropriate for those holding significant power, while "honor" encompasses a broader spectrum of esteem and high regard shown to individuals based on their position, age, or merit. Together, these commands outline a robust Christian engagement with the world that prioritizes justice, order, and respect. It shows that discipleship is not merely inward spirituality but outward public virtue. Christians are to be exemplary citizens, reflecting the character of God by recognizing His providential hand in the establishment of human order and by valuing every person as made in His image. For example, a Christian business owner might conscientiously pay all applicable taxes even when others cut corners, or a believer might extend courtesy and respect to a challenging boss, fulfilling the command to honor.