Romans 13:1

Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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

2Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, purchase to themselves damnation.

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Cross References

Deuteronomy 17:12But he that will be proud, and refuse to obey the commandment of the priest, who ministereth at that time to the Lord thy God, and the decree of the judge, that man shall die, and thou shalt take away the evil from Israel:

1 Chronicles 28:4But the Lord God of Israel chose me of all the house of my father, to be king over Israel for ever: for of Juda he chose the princes: and of the house of Juda, my father's house: and among the sons of my father, it pleased him to choose me king over all Israel.

Proverbs 8:15By me kings reign, and lawgivers decree just things,

Daniel 2:21And he changeth times and ages: taketh away kingdoms and establisheth them, giveth wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that have understanding.

Daniel 5:18O king, the most high God gave to Nabuchodonosor thy father a kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and honour.

John 19:11Jesus answered: Thou shouldst not have any power against me, unless it were given thee from above. Therefore, he that hath delivered me to thee, hath 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 →

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