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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>Romans 13:1 Context: Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/5001a.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 4800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 4800px)" href="/4801a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1550px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1550px)" href="/1551a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1250px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1250px)" href="/1251a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1050px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1050px)" href="/1051a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 900px), only screen and (max-device-width: 900px)" href="/901a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 800px)" href="/801a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 575px), only screen and (max-device-width: 575px)" href="/501a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-height: 450px), only screen and (max-device-height: 450px)" href="/h451a.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../vmenus/romans/13-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/romans/13-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="//biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="//biblehub.com/crossref/">Cross Refs</a> > Romans 13:1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../romans/12-21.htm" title="Romans 12:21">◄</a> Romans 13:1 <a href="../romans/13-2.htm" title="Romans 13:2">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Context</div><font color="#000000"><b><i>Be Subject to Government</i></b></font><p>      <span class="reftext"><a href="/romans/13-1.htm" target="_top"><b>1</b></a></span>Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. <span class="reftext"><a href="/romans/13-2.htm" target="_top"><b>2</b></a></span>Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. <span class="reftext"><a href="/romans/13-3.htm" target="_top"><b>3</b></a></span>For rulers 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; <span class="reftext"><a href="/romans/13-4.htm" target="_top"><b>4</b></a></span>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 avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. <span class="reftext"><a href="/romans/13-5.htm" target="_top"><b>5</b></a></span>Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience sake. <span class="reftext"><a href="/romans/13-6.htm" target="_top"><b>6</b></a></span>For because of this you also pay taxes, for <i>rulers</i> are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. <span class="reftext"><a href="/romans/13-7.htm" target="_top"><b>7</b></a></span>Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax <i>is due;</i> custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. <p>      <span class="reftext"><a href="/romans/13-8.htm" target="_top"><b>8</b></a></span>Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled <i>the</i> law. <span class="reftext"><a href="/romans/13-9.htm" target="_top"><b>9</b></a></span>For this, Y<font size="1">OU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,</font> Y<font size="1">OU</font> <font size="1">SHALL NOT MURDER</font>, Y<font size="1">OU SHALL NOT STEAL,</font> Y<font size="1">OU SHALL NOT</font> <font size="1">COVET</font>, and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, Y<font size="1">OU SHALL LOVE YOUR</font> <font size="1">NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF</font>. <span class="reftext"><a href="/romans/13-10.htm" target="_top"><b>10</b></a></span>Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of <i>the</i> law. <p>      <span class="reftext"><a href="/romans/13-11.htm" target="_top"><b>11</b></a></span><i>Do</i> this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. <span class="reftext"><a href="/romans/13-12.htm" target="_top"><b>12</b></a></span>The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. <span class="reftext"><a href="/romans/13-13.htm" target="_top"><b>13</b></a></span>Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. <span class="reftext"><a href="/romans/13-14.htm" target="_top"><b>14</b></a></span>But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to <i>its</i> lusts. <p><br /><br /><a href="//www.lockman.org" target="_top">NASB ©1995</a><div class="vheading2">Parallel Verses</div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/romans/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/romans/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />LET every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/dbt/romans/13.htm">Darby Bible Translation</a></span><br />Let every soul be subject to the authorities that are above him. For there is no authority except from God; and those that exist are set up by God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/romans/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/romans/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but from God: the powers that are, are ordained by God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Let every individual be obedient to those who rule over him; for no one is a ruler except by God's permission, and our present rulers have had their rank and power assigned to them by Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/romans/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/romans/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Let every soul to the higher authorities be subject, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities existing are appointed by God,<div class="vheading2">Library</div><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/simpson/days_of_heaven_upon_earth_/november_23_it_is_high.htm">November 23. "It is High Time to Awake Out of Sleep" (Rom. xiii. 11). </a><br></span><span class="snippet">"It is high time to awake out of sleep" (Rom. xiii. 11). One of the greatest enemies to faith is indolence. It is much easier to lie and suffer than to rise and overcome; much easier to go to sleep on a snowbank and never wake again, than to rouse one's self and shake off the lethargy and overcome the stupor. Faith is an energetic art; prayer is intense labor; the effectual working prayer of the righteous man availeth much. Satan tries to put us to sleep, as he did the disciples in the garden; but <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/simpson/days_of_heaven_upon_earth_/november_23_it_is_high.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Rev. A. B. Simpson—</span><span class="citation2">Days of Heaven Upon Earth </span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/simpson/days_of_heaven_upon_earth_/october_25_now_it_is.htm">October 25. "Now it is High Time to Awake Out of Sleep. Let us Cast Off the Works of Darkness and Let us Put on the Armor of Light" (Rom. xiii. 11, 12). </a><br></span><span class="snippet">"Now it is high time to awake out of sleep. Let us cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light" (Rom. xiii. 11, 12). Let us wake out of sleep; let us be alert; let us be alive to the great necessities that really concern us. Let us put off the garments of the night and the indulgences of the night; the loose robes of pleasure and flowing garments of repose; the festal pleasures of the hours of darkness are not for the children of the day. Let us cast off the works of darkness. <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/simpson/days_of_heaven_upon_earth_/october_25_now_it_is.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Rev. A. B. Simpson—</span><span class="citation2">Days of Heaven Upon Earth </span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle_sermons_vol_ii/fourth_sunday_after_epiphany.htm">Fourth Sunday after Epiphany</a><br></span><span class="snippet">Text: Romans 13, 8-10. 8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; love therefore is the fulfilment of the law. CHRISTIAN LOVE AND THE COMMAND TO LOVE. 1. This, like the two <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle_sermons_vol_ii/fourth_sunday_after_epiphany.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Martin Luther—</span><span class="citation2">Epistle Sermons, Vol. II</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/romans_corinthians_to_ii_corinthians_chap_v/salvation_nearer.htm">Salvation Nearer</a><br></span><span class="snippet">'... Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.'--ROMANS xiii. 11. There is no doubt, I suppose, that the Apostle, in common with the whole of the early Church, entertained more or less consistently the expectation of living to witness the second coming of Jesus Christ. There are in Paul's letters passages which look both in the direction of that anticipation, and in the other one of expecting to taste death. 'We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord,' he says twice in one <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/romans_corinthians_to_ii_corinthians_chap_v/salvation_nearer.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Alexander Maclaren—</span><span class="citation2">Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/romans_corinthians_to_ii_corinthians_chap_v/the_soldiers_morning-call.htm">The Soldier's Morning-Call</a><br></span><span class="snippet">'Let us put on the armour of light.'--ROMANS xiii. 12. It is interesting to notice that the metaphor of the Christian armour occurs in Paul's letters throughout his whole course. It first appears, in a very rudimentary form, in the earliest of the Epistles, that to the Thessalonians. It appears here in a letter which belongs to the middle of his career, and it appears finally in the Epistle to the Ephesians, in its fully developed and drawn-out shape, at almost the end of his work. So we may fairly <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/romans_corinthians_to_ii_corinthians_chap_v/the_soldiers_morning-call.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Alexander Maclaren—</span><span class="citation2">Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/romans_corinthians_to_ii_corinthians_chap_v/love_and_the_day.htm">Love and the Day</a><br></span><span class="snippet">'Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11. And that, knowing the time, that now <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/romans_corinthians_to_ii_corinthians_chap_v/love_and_the_day.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Alexander Maclaren—</span><span class="citation2">Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/hoadly/several_discourses_concerning_the_terms_of_acceptance_with_god/sermon_xi_1_peter_iv.htm">1 Peter iv. 8</a><br></span><span class="snippet">And above all things have fervent Charity among your selves: for Charity shall cover the multitude of Sins. THE Design which I am now prosecuting, obligeth me to take notice of such Passages of Scripture as any professed Christians may, on any Account, be apt to interpret to a very bad Purpose: that is, to the giving themselves Encouragement to hope for God's future Mercy; for the Sake of his Son: even whilst they continue in the habitual Practice of known Sins. And the Words which I have now read <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/hoadly/several_discourses_concerning_the_terms_of_acceptance_with_god/sermon_xi_1_peter_iv.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Benjamin Hoadly—</span><span class="citation2">Several Discourses Concerning the Terms of Acceptance with God</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the_works_of_the_rev_hugh_binning/chapter_i_the_beauty_and.htm">The Beauty and Excellency of this World Consists, not Only in the Perfection and Comeliness...</a><br></span><span class="snippet">The beauty and excellency of this world consists, not only in the perfection and comeliness of each part in it, but especially in the wise and wonderful proportion and union of these several parts. It is not the lineaments and colours that make the image or complete beauty, but the proportion and harmony of these, though different severally. And truly that is the wonder, that such repugnant natures, such different parts, and dissentient qualities, do conspire together in such an exact perfect unity <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the_works_of_the_rev_hugh_binning/chapter_i_the_beauty_and.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Hugh Binning—</span><span class="citation2">The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/luther/first_principles_of_the_reformation/iii_twenty-seven_articles_respecting_the.htm">Twenty-Seven Articles Respecting the Reformation of the Christian Estate. </a><br></span><span class="snippet">Now though I am too lowly to submit articles that could serve for the reformation of these fearful evils, I will yet sing out my fool's song, and will show, as well as my wit will allow, what might and should be done by the temporal authorities or by a General Council. 1. Princes, nobles and cities should promptly forbid their subjects to pay the annates and should even abolish them altogether. For the Pope has broken the compact, and turned the annates into robbery for the harm and shame of the <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/luther/first_principles_of_the_reformation/iii_twenty-seven_articles_respecting_the.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Martin Luther—</span><span class="citation2">First Principles of the Reformation</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/neander/light_in_the_dark_places/the_north_african_church_under.htm">The North African Church under the Vandals. </a><br></span><span class="snippet">THE wild tribes of the Vandals--which, although outwardly professing Christianity, yet, instructed and guided by ignorant and fanatical priests, seem to have had no idea of its essence--overran North Africa, under their cruel and despotic king, Geiserich. A fanatical hatred to the confessors of another form of doctrine (the Vandals being the adherents of Arianism) was united with an insatiable avarice, for which it served as an apology. The depravity of the nominal Christians in the rich cities of <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/neander/light_in_the_dark_places/the_north_african_church_under.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Augustus Neander—</span><span class="citation2">Light in the Dark Places</span><p><span class="headingtext"><a href="//christianbookshelf.org/bernard/some_letters_of_saint_bernard_abbot_of_clairvaux/letter_lxi_a_d_1138_to.htm">Letter Lxi (A. D. 1138) to Louis the Younger, King of the French. </a><br></span><span class="snippet">To Louis the Younger, King of the French. He endeavours to defend the election of Geoffrey, Prior of Clairvaux, to the See of Langres; to which the King had appeared adverse. 1. If the whole world were to conjure me to join it in some enterprise against your royal Majesty, I should still through fear of God not dare lightly to offend a King ordained by Him. Nor am I ignorant who it is that has said, Whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God (Rom. xiii. 2). Nor yet do I forget how <a href="//christianbookshelf.org/bernard/some_letters_of_saint_bernard_abbot_of_clairvaux/letter_lxi_a_d_1138_to.htm" title="continued">…</a><br></span><span class="citation">Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—</span><span class="citation2">Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux</span><p><div class="vheading2">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1 NIV</a> • <a href="/nlt/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1 NLT</a> • <a href="/esv/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1 ESV</a> • <a href="/nasb/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1 NASB</a> • <a href="/kjv/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1 KJV</a> • <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1 Bible Apps</a> • <a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1 Parallel</a> • <a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../romans/12-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 12:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 12:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../romans/13-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 13:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 13:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mp/romans/13-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /><iframe src="//biblemenus.com/adframebhbl.htm" width="122" height="250" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <div id="bot"><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /></div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhparnew.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></body></html>