Romans 13:2

2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Romans 13:2 in Other Translations

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.

2 If you're irresponsible to the state, then you're irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible.

2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.

Romans 13:2 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 13:2

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power
The office of magistracy, and such as are lawfully placed in it, and rightly exercise it; who denies that there is, or ought to be any such order among men, despises it, and opposes it, and withdraws himself from it, and will not be subject to it in any form:

resisteth the ordinance of God,
the will and appointment of God, whose pleasure it is that there should be such an office, and that men should be subject to it. This is not to be understood, as if magistrates were above the laws, and had a lawless power to do as they will without opposition; for they are under the law, and liable to the penalty of it, in case of disobedience, as others; and when they make their own will a law, or exercise a lawless tyrannical power, in defiance of the laws of God, and of the land, to the endangering of the lives, liberties, and properties of subjects, they may be resisted, as Saul was by the people of Israel, when he would have took away the life of Jonathan for the breach of an arbitrary law of his own, and that too without the knowledge of it, ( 1 Samuel 14:45 ) ; but the apostle is speaking of resisting magistrates in the right discharge of their office, and in the exercise of legal power and authority:

and they that resist
them, in this sense,

shall receive to themselves damnation;
that is, punishment; either temporal, and that either by the hand of the magistrate himself, who has it in his power to punish mutiny, sedition, and insurrection, and any opposition to him in the just discharge of his duty; or at the hand of God, in righteous judgment, for their disobedience to an ordinance of his; as in the case of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who opposed themselves both to the civil and sacred government of the people of Israel, ( Numbers 26:9 ) ; and were swallowed up alive in the earth, ( Numbers 26:10 ) : or eternal punishment, unless the grace of God prevents; for "the blackness of darkness is reserved for ever", ( Jude 1:13 ) , for such persons, who, among other of their characters, are said to "despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities", ( Jude 1:8 ) . This is another argument persuading to subjection to magistrates.

Romans 13:2 In-Context

1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.

4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 16:8