Romans 13:1

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.

Darby Translation

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

2So that he that sets himself in opposition to the authority resists the ordinance of God; and they who [thus] resist shall bring sentence of guilt on themselves.

Read all of Romans 13

Cross References

Deuteronomy 17:12And the man that shall act presumptuously, and not hearken unto the priest that standeth to serve there before Jehovah thy God, or unto the judge, that man shall die; and thou shalt put away evil from Israel.

1 Chronicles 28:4And Jehovah the God of Israel chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever; for he has chosen Judah to be the prince; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel;

Proverbs 8:15By me kings reign, and rulers make just decrees;

Daniel 2:21And it is he that changeth times and seasons; He deposeth kings, and setteth up kings; He giveth wisdom to the wise, And knowledge to them that know understanding.

Daniel 5:18O thou king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty;

John 19:11Jesus answered, Thou hadst no authority whatever against me if it were not given to thee from above. On this account he that has delivered me up to thee has [the] greater sin.

Matthew Henry on Romans 13:1

There are three good lessons taught us in this chapter, where the apostle enlarges more upon his precepts than he had done in the foregoing chapter, finding them more needful to be fully pressed. I. A lesson of subjection to lawful authority, ver. 1-6 . II. A lesson of justice and love to our brethren, ver. 7-10 . III. A lesson of sobriety and godliness in ourselves, ver. 11 to the end . Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Romans 13:1