A Christian’s Duties to the State

13 Let everyone submit to the governing authorities,^(A) since there is no authority except from God,^(B) and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. ² So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers are not a terror^(C) to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. ⁴ For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger^(D) that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. ⁵ Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience.^{(E) 6} And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks.^{[a] 7} Pay your obligations^(F) to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes,^(G) tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect,^(H) and honor to those you owe honor.

Love, Our Primary Duty

⁸ Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.^{(I) 9} The commandments, Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal;^[b] do not covet;^[c](J) and any other commandment, are summed up by this commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself.^{[d](K) 10} Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.

¹³ Submit^(A) to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor^[a] as the supreme authority^{(B) 14} or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. ¹⁵ For it is God’s will^(C) that you silence the ignorance^(D) of foolish people by doing good. ¹⁶ Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil,^(E) but as God’s slaves.^{(F) 17} Honor everyone. Love^(G) the brothers and sisters.^(H) Fear God.^(I) Honor the emperor.