Romans 13:1

Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities existing are appointed by God,

Literal Standard Version

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 who is setting himself against the authority, has resisted against God’s ordinance; and those resisting will receive judgment to themselves.

Read all of Romans 13

Cross References

Deuteronomy 17:12And the man who acts with presumption, so as not to listen to the priest (who is standing to serve your God YHWH there), or to the judge, even that man has died, and you have put away evil from Israel,

1 Chronicles 28:4And YHWH, God of Israel, fixes on me out of all the house of my father to be for king over Israel for all time, for He has fixed on Judah for a leader, and in the house of Judah, the house of my father, and among the sons of my father, He has been pleased with me to make [me] king over all Israel;

Proverbs 8:15By me kings reign, and princes decree righteousness,

Daniel 2:21And He is changing times and seasons, He is causing kings to pass away, and He is raising up kings; He is giving wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those possessing understanding.

Daniel 5:18you, O king, God Most High, a kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and honor, gave to your father Nebuchadnezzar:

John 19:11Jesus answered, “You would have no authority against Me if it were not having been given you from above; because of this, he who is delivering Me up to you has 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