Romans 13:5

5 And therefore by need be ye subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience.

Romans 13:5 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 13:5

Wherefore ye must needs be subject
To the higher powers, to the civil magistrates; there is a necessity of it, because magistracy is God's ordinance, it is for the good of men; and such that oppose it will severely smart for it: but subjection to it from Christians should be,

not only for wrath;
through fear of punishment, and for the sake of escaping it; either the wrath of men or of God, in this or the other world:

but also for conscience sake:
to keep conscience clear, to exercise a good one void of offence towards God and men; for natural reason, conscience itself, dictates that there ought to be such order among men, that civil government should take place, and ought to be submitted to.

Romans 13:5 In-Context

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.