Romans 13:1-7
Wycliffe Bible
13 Every soul be subject to higher powers. For there is no power but of God, and those things that be of God, be ordained.
2 Therefore he that against-standeth power, against-standeth the ordinance of God; and they that against-stand, get to themselves damnation.
3 For princes be not to the dread of good work, but of evil. But wilt thou, that thou dread not power? Do thou good thing, and thou shalt have praising of it [Soothly wilt thou not dread power? Do good, and thou shalt have praising of it];
4 for he is the minister of God to thee into good. But if thou doest evil, dread thou [Soothly, if thou doest evil, dread]; for not without cause he beareth the sword, for he is the minister of God, venger into wrath to him that doeth evil.
5 And therefore by need be ye subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience.
6 For therefore [and] ye give tributes, they be the ministers of God, and serve for this same thing [for this same thing serving].
7 Therefore yield ye to all men debts, to whom tribute, tribute, to whom toll, toll [to whom toll, or custom for things borne about, toll, or such custom], to whom dread, dread, to whom honour, honour.
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Romans 13:1-7
New Matthew Bible
The obedience of people to governing powers. Love fulfils the law. It is now no time to follow the works of darkness.
13 Let every soul submit himself to the authority of the higher powers. For there is no power except from God. The powers that be are ordained by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority, resists the ordinance of God. And those who resist will bring retribution on themselves, 3 for rulers and authorities are not to be feared for good works, but for bad. Would you be without fear of the authority? Do well then, and you will be commended by the same. 4 For he is the minister of God for your welfare. But if you do wrong, then fear. For he does not bear a sword for nothing, but is the minister of God to take vengeance on those who do evil. 5 Therefore you must obey – not for fear of vengeance only, but also because of conscience. 6 And also for this reason, pay tribute. For the Roman authorities are God’s ministers, serving for the same purpose.
7 Give to all persons therefore that which is due to them: tribute to whom tribute belongs, custom to whom custom is due, fear to whom fear belongs, honour to whom honour pertains.
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Romans 13:1-7
1599 Geneva Bible
13 1 He willeth that we submit ourselves to Magistrates: 8 To love our neighbor: 13 To love uprightly, 14 and to put on Christ.
1 Let (A)[a]every [b]soul be subject unto the higher [c]powers: [d]for there is no power but of God: and the powers that be, are [e]ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist, shall receive to themselves condemnation.
3 [f]For Magistrates are not to be feared for good works, but for evil. [g]Wilt thou then be without fear of the power? do well: so shalt thou have praise of the same.
4 For he is the minister of God for thy wealth: [h]but if thou do evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword for nought: for he is the minister of God to [i]take vengeance on him that doeth evil.
5 [j]Wherefore ye must be subject, not because of wrath only, but [k]also for conscience sake.
6 [l]For, for this cause ye pay also tribute: for they are God’s ministers, applying themselves for the same thing.
7 (B)Give to all men therefore their duty: tribute, to whom ye owe tribute: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom [m]fear: honor, to whom ye owe [n]honor.
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- Romans 13:1 Now he showeth severally, what subjects owe to their Magistrates, to wit, obedience: From which he showeth that no man is free: and in such sort that it is not only due to the highest Magistrate himself, but also even to the basest, which hath any office under him.
- Romans 13:1 Yea, though an Apostle, though an Evangelist, though a Prophet: Chrysostom. Therefore the tyranny of the Pope over all kingdoms must down to the ground.
- Romans 13:1 A reason taken of the nature of the thing itself: For to what purpose are they placed in higher degree, but that the inferior should be subject unto them?
- Romans 13:1 Another argument of great force: Because God is author of this order: so that such as are rebels ought to know, that they make war with God himself: wherefore they cannot but purchase to themselves great misery and calamity.
- Romans 13:1 Be distributed: for some are greater, some smaller.
- Romans 13:3 The third argument taken from the end wherefore they were made, which is most profitable: for that God by this means preserveth the good and bridleth the wicked: by which words the Magistrates themselves are put in mind of that duty which they owe to their subjects.
- Romans 13:3 An excellent way to bear this yoke, not only without grief, but also with great profit.
- Romans 13:4 God hath armed the Magistrate even with a revenging sword.
- Romans 13:4 By whom God revengeth the wicked.
- Romans 13:5 The conclusion: We must obey the magistrate, not only for fear of punishment, but much more because that (although the Magistrate have no power over the conscience of man, yet seeing he is God’s minister) he cannot be resisteth by any good conscience.
- Romans 13:5 So far as lawfully we may: for if unlawful things be commanded us, we must answer as Peter teacheth us, It is better to obey God than men.
- Romans 13:6 He reckoneth up the chiefest things wherein consisteth the obedience of subjects.
- Romans 13:7 Obedience, and that from the heart.
- Romans 13:7 Reverence, (which as reason is) we must give to the Magistrate.
Romans 13:1-7
Authorized (King James) Version
13 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. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 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: 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. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 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.
Read full chapter2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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