Romans 13:5

5 ideo necessitate subditi estote non solum propter iram sed et propter conscientiam

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 nam principes non sunt timori boni operis sed mali vis autem non timere potestatem bonum fac et habebis laudem ex illa

4 Dei enim minister est tibi in bonum si autem male feceris time non enim sine causa gladium portat Dei enim minister est vindex in iram ei qui malum agit

5 ideo necessitate subditi estote non solum propter iram sed et propter conscientiam

6 ideo enim et tributa praestatis ministri enim Dei sunt in hoc ipsum servientes

7 reddite omnibus debita cui tributum tributum cui vectigal vectigal cui timorem timorem cui honorem honorem