1Every soul is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. [13:2] Therefore the one resisting the authority has opposed the ordinance of God, and those who have opposed will bring judgment upon themselves. [13:3] For rulers are not a terror to the good work but to the evil. Do you desire not to fear the authority? Do the good and you will have praise from it; [13:4] for he is a servant of God to you for the good. But if you do evil, be afraid — for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to the one doing evil. [13:5] Therefore it is necessary to be subject — not only on account of wrath but also on account of conscience. [13:6] For because of this also you pay taxes, for they are servants of God, attending continually to this very thing. [13:7] Render to all their dues: to whom the tax, the tax; to whom the revenue, the revenue; to whom fear, the fear; to whom honor, the honor.
ROM 13:1-7
Submission to Authorities
In the world it was spoken into
In the Roman Empire, authority was deeply intertwined with the divine. Emperors were often deified, and local magistrates acted as representatives of imperial power. The concept of (submission) would have been familiar in a society structured around patronage and hierarchy, where clients submitted to patrons and citizens to magistrates. The (sword) symbolized the state’s authority to enforce justice, including capital punishment, which was a visible reminder of Rome’s power. Paul’s audience would have understood authorities as God-ordained, a common Jewish and Stoic idea that divine providence governs human institutions. However, this teaching would have been provocative for Jewish listeners, who lived under Roman occupation and often viewed Gentile rulers as illegitimate. For Gentile converts, it reinforced the idea that their new faith did not undermine civic order. The call to pay taxes and respect would have resonated in a society where tax-farming was pervasive and honor-shame dynamics governed social interactions.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
ROM 13:1
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.
- Koinōnos
- Every soul is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
ROM 13:2
- KJV
- Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
- BSB
- Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
- Koinōnos
- Therefore the one resisting the authority has opposed the ordinance of God, and those who have opposed will bring judgment upon themselves.
ROM 13:3
- KJV
- 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:
- BSB
- For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.
- Koinōnos
- For rulers are not a terror to the good work but to the evil. Do you desire not to fear the authority? Do the good and you will have praise from it;
ROM 13:4
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- For he is Godʼs servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is Godʼs servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.
- Koinōnos
- for he is a servant of God to you for the good. But if you do evil, be afraid — for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to the one doing evil.
ROM 13:5
- KJV
- Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
- BSB
- Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.
- Koinōnos
- Therefore it is necessary to be subject — not only on account of wrath but also on account of conscience.
ROM 13:6
- KJV
- For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
- BSB
- This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are Godʼs servants, who devote themselves to their work.
- Koinōnos
- For because of this also you pay taxes, for they are servants of God, attending continually to this very thing.
ROM 13:7
- KJV
- Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
- BSB
- Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
- Koinōnos
- Render to all their dues: to whom the tax, the tax; to whom the revenue, the revenue; to whom fear, the fear; to whom honor, the honor.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, WarsWars 2.8.1
- Josephus, WarsWars 2.8.1
- Josephus, WarsWars 2.8.1
›Josephus, Wars Wars 2.8.1
“And now Archelaus's part of Judea was reduced into a province, and Coponius, one of the equestrian order among the Romans, was sent as a procurator, having the power of [life and] death put into his hands by Caesar.”
Cited to ground: The (sword) symbolized the state’s authority to enforce justice, including capital punishment, which was a visible reminder of Rome’s power.
›Josephus, Wars Wars 2.8.1
“Under his administration it was that a certain Galilean, whose name was Judas, prevailed with his countrymen to revolt, and said they were cowards if they would endure to pay a tax to the Romans and would after God submit to mortal men as their lords.”
Cited to ground: Paul’s audience would have understood authorities as God-ordained, a common Jewish and Stoic idea that divine providence governs human institutions. However, this teaching would have been provocative for Jewish listeners, who lived under Roman occupation and often viewed Gentile rulers as illegitimate.
›Josephus, Wars Wars 2.8.1
“said they were cowards if they would endure to pay a tax to the Romans and would after God submit to mortal men as their lords.”
Cited to ground: The call to pay taxes and respect would have resonated in a society where tax-farming was pervasive and honor-shame dynamics governed social interactions.
Translator's notes
ROM 13:1
- soul:The word translated 'soul' here refers to the entire person, the whole self, not just an inner spiritual part. It emphasizes that every individual, in their totality, is included.
- should be subject.:The term translated 'should be subject' implies an ordered arrangement or submission, often voluntary, within a hierarchy. It suggests placing oneself under the authority of another, not necessarily forced subjugation.
ROM 13:4
- servant:The word translated 'servant' here describes someone who actively serves or ministers, often in an official capacity. It can refer to a messenger, an attendant, or even a public official, highlighting active service rather than mere subservience.
- sword:The word translated 'sword' refers to a large knife or short sword, often used for combat or sacrifice. In this context, it symbolizes the authority to inflict punishment, including capital punishment.