Romans 13:1-7

Be Subject to Government

1 Every 1person is to be in 2subjection to the governing authorities. For 3there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
3 For 4rulers are not a cause of fear for 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 minister 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 minister of God, an 5avenger 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 6for conscience' sake.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
7 7Render to all what is due them: 8tax to whom tax is due; 9custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

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Cross References 9

  • 1. Acts 2:41
  • 2. Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13
  • 3. Daniel 2:21; Daniel 4:17; John 19:11
  • 4. 1 Peter 2:14
  • 5. 1 Thessalonians 4:6
  • 6. Ecclesiastes 8; 1 Peter 2:13, 19
  • 7. Matthew 22:21; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25
  • 8. Luke 20:22; Luke 23:2
  • 9. Matthew 17:25

Footnotes 4

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