Submission to Governing Authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,^(A) for there is no authority except that which God has established.^(B) The authorities that exist have been established by God. ² Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,^(C) and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.^{(D) 4} For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.^{(E) 5} Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.^(F)

⁶ This is also why you pay taxes,^(G) for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷ Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes;^(H) if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Saved in Order to Do Good

3 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities,^(A) to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,^{(B) 2} to slander no one,^(C) to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:^(A) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong^(B) and to commend those who do right.^{(C) 15} For it is God’s will^(D) that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.^{(E) 16} Live as free people,^(F) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;^(G) live as God’s slaves.^{(H) 17} Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers,^(I) fear God, honor the emperor.^(J)

¹⁸ Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,^(K) not only to those who are good and considerate,^(L) but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹ For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.^{(M) 20} But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.^{(N) 21} To this^(O) you were called,^(P) because Christ suffered for you,^(Q) leaving you an example,^(R) that you should follow in his steps.

Instructions for Christian Households^(A)

²¹ Submit to one another^(B) out of reverence for Christ.

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands^(C) as you do to the Lord.^{(D) 23} For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,^(E) his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands^(F) in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(G) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her^{(H) 26} to make her holy,^(I) cleansing^[a] her by the washing^(J) with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself^(K) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.^{(L) 28} In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives^(M) as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰ for we are members of his body.^{(N) 31} “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”^{[b](O) 32} This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ However, each one of you also must love his wife^(P) as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.^{(Q) 2} “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”^[c](R)

⁴ Fathers,^[d] do not exasperate your children;^(S) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.^(T)

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(U) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(V) just as you would obey Christ.^{(W) 6} Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,^(X) doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,^{(Y) 8} because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,^(Z) whether they are slave or free.

⁹ And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours^(AA) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(AB) with him.