Romans 13:1 Parallel Translations

Every person should obey the government in power. No government would exist if it hadn't been established by God. The governments which exist have been put in place by God.(GOD'S WORD®)

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.

ASV:

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.

BBE:

Let everyone put himself under the authority of the higher powers, because there is no power which is not of God, and all powers are ordered by God.

DBY:

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.

ERV:

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.

WEY:

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.

WBS:

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.

WEB:

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.

YLT:

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,

Romans 13:1 Cross References

XREF:

Daniel 2:21 "It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.

Daniel 4:17 "This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers And the decision is a command of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, And bestows it on whom He wishes And sets over it the lowliest of men."

John 19:11 Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."

Acts 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

Titus 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,

1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, (NASB ©1995)

Commentaries and Concordances

GSB:

13:1 Let {1} every {a} soul be subject unto the higher {2} powers. {3} For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are {b} ordained of God.
(1) Now he distinctly shows what subjects owe to their magistrates, that is, obedience: from which he shows that no man is free: and the obedience we owe is such that it is not only due to the highest magistrate himself, but also even to the lowest, who has any office under him.
(a) Indeed, though an apostle, though an evangelist, though a prophet; Chrysostom. Therefore the tyranny of the pope over all kingdoms must be thrown down to the ground.
(2) A reason taken from the nature of the thing itself: for to what purpose are they placed in higher degree, but in order that the inferiors should be subject to them?
(3) Another argument of great force: because God is author of this order: so that those who are rebels ought to know that they make war with God himself: and because of this they purchase for themselves great misery and calamity.
(b) Be distributed: for some are greater, some smaller.

PNT:

13:1 The Christians and Civil Government
SUMMARY OF ROMANS 13:
Civil Government an Appointment of God. A Protection to the Law-Abiding. A Terror to Evil Doers. Must Be Supported by Taxes and Customs. Love the Fulfillment of the Divine Law. The Christian to Live a Holy, Spiritual Life.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. To the established civil government. Why should Paul, in this portion of the epistle to Christian life, give this exhortation to obedience to civil government? Perhaps for several reasons: (1) The Christians at that early period were usually associated by the heathen with the Jews, and the Jews were noted for turbulence. See Ac 18:2. (2) The fires that broke forth a few years later, in the Jewish uprising that led to the destruction of Jerusalem, were already smoldering wherever there were those of Jewish blood. Many Christians were Jews by birth. (3) There was danger that Christians, especially under persecution, should be inclined to make disturbance. (4) Some even held that since Christ's kingdom was established human governments had no rightful existence.
There is no power but of God. He is the source of all authority, and he has appointed human governments for the welfare of man. The existing government over us is to be regarded as a divine arrangement.

WES:

13:1 St. Paul, writing to the Romans, whose city was the seat of the empire, speaks largely of obedience to magistrates: and this was also, in effect, a public apology for the Christian religion. Let every soul be subject to the supreme powers - An admonition peculiarly needful for the Jews. Power, in the singular number, is the supreme authority; powers are they who are invested with it. That is more readily acknowledged to be from God than these. The apostle affirms it of both. They are all from God, who constituted all in general, and permits each in particular by his providence. The powers that be are appointed by God - It might be rendered, are subordinate to, or, orderly disposed under, God; implying, that they are God's deputies or vicegerents and consequently, their authority being, in effect, his, demands our conscientious obedience.

MHC:

13:1-7 The grace of the gospel teaches us submission and quiet, where pride and the carnal mind only see causes for murmuring and discontent. Whatever the persons in authority over us themselves may be, yet the just power they have, must be submitted to and obeyed. In the general course of human affairs, rulers are not a terror to honest, quiet, and good subjects, but to evil-doers. Such is the power of sin and corruption, that many will be kept back from crimes only by the fear of punishment. Thou hast the benefit of the government, therefore do what thou canst to preserve it, and nothing to disturb it. This directs private persons to behave quietly and peaceably where God has set them, 1Ti 2:1,2. Christians must not use any trick or fraud. All smuggling, dealing in contraband goods, withholding or evading duties, is rebellion against the express command of God. Thus honest neighbours are robbed, who will have to pay the more; and the crimes of smugglers, and others who join with them, are abetted. It is painful that some professors of the gospel should countenance such dishonest practices. The lesson here taught it becomes all Christians to learn and practise, that the godly in the land will always be found the quiet and the peaceable in the land, whatever others are.

CONC:

Appointed Assigned Authorities Authority Established Except Exist Existing God's Governing Higher Individual Instituted Obedient Ordained Ordered Permission Power Powers Present Rank Rule Ruler Rulers Soul Subject Subjection

Appointed Assigned Authorities Authority Established Except Exist Existing God's Higher Individual Instituted Obedient Ordained Ordered Permission Power Powers Present Rank Rule Ruler Rulers Soul Subject Subjection Submit

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GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.

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