Romans 13:1-7
New American Standard Bible
Be Subject to Government
13 Every [a](A)person is to be (B)subject to the governing authorities. For (C)there is no authority except [b]from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore [c]whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For (D)rulers are not a cause of fear for [d]good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an (E)avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also (F)for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 (G)Pay to all what is due them: (H)tax to whom tax is due; (I)custom to whom custom; [e]respect to whom [f]respect; honor to whom honor.
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- Romans 13:1 Or soul
- Romans 13:1 Lit by
- Romans 13:2 Lit the one who
- Romans 13:3 Lit good work
- Romans 13:7 I.e., for authority; lit fear
- Romans 13:7 I.e., for authority; lit fear
Romans 13:1-7
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Be Subject To Authorities: They Are Established By God
13 Let every soul be subject[a] to superior authorities. For there is no authority except by God. And the existing ones are established[b] by God. 2 So then the one opposing[c] the authority has resisted[d] the ordinance[e] of God. And the ones having resisted will receive[f] judgment on themselves.
Rulers are God’s Servants To Reward Good And Punish Evil
3 For the rulers are not a fear to good work, but to evil[g]. Now do you want to not be fearing the authority? Be doing good, and you will have praise[h] from him[i]— 4 for he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you are doing evil, be fearing! For he does not bear[j] the sword in-vain[k]— for he is God’s servant, an avenger for wrath on the one practicing evil. 5 Therefore it is a necessity to be subject— not only because of the wrath[l], but also because of the conscience.
So Give Them Their Due
6 For because of this also you pay tributes[m]. For they are ministers[n] of God devoting-themselves to this very thing. 7 Give-back to all authorities the things owed— the tribute to the one owed the tribute, the tax[o] to the one owed the tax, the fear[p] to the one owed the fear, the honor to the one owed the honor.
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- Romans 13:1 Or, submit himself.
- Romans 13:1 Or, put in place, stationed, arranged, assigned.
- Romans 13:2 Or, setting himself against.
- Romans 13:2 Or, stood against.
- Romans 13:2 Or, decree, direction. The authority of government is God’s decree. Paul is commanding submission to this authority, however it is expressed in your nation. In some nations this includes active involvement in government; in others, citizens have little input.
- Romans 13:2 That is, from God, whose decree you have resisted. Secondarily, from the authorities, if you are caught.
- Romans 13:3 That is, civil evil, crime.
- Romans 13:3 This is the general rule. Paul does not deal here with exceptions. Paul himself was persecuted for doing good, for proclaiming the gospel.
- Romans 13:3 Or, it, the authority.
- Romans 13:4 Or, wear.
- Romans 13:4 That is, for no purpose. Governments have God’s authority to punish evil to the fullest extent, including death, and they serve God’s purposes in doing so. Governments exercise this authority through the police, the courts, and the military, in ways and means and degrees of their own choosing.
- Romans 13:5 We submit out of fear of God’s wrath expressed through government, and our own conscience toward God. Usually these are in agreement. In exceptional cases, which Paul does not address here, the conscience must be followed in spite of the threats from government.
- Romans 13:6 Taxes paid by foreigners to ruling states, such as that paid by Israel to Rome.
- Romans 13:6 Or, public servants. Note that Paul is talking about Rome, which conquered and subjugated his nation and took away their freedom and right of self-government.
- Romans 13:7 That is, the local taxes.
- Romans 13:7 Or, respect.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
