Living Under God-Ordained Authority

Before You Study

Read This First

Romans is a profound letter from the Apostle Paul addressing the gospel's power to save and transform lives. Leading into chapter 13, Paul has explained justification by faith and the new life in Christ. Here, he transitions to practical Christian living, focusing on how believers relate to governing authorities amid a pagan Roman empire. Understanding the political and social pressures of first-century Rome helps us grasp why Paul emphasizes submission to authorities as God's ordinance. This chapter bridges theological truths with everyday obedience, showing how faith shapes conduct in society.

What You'll Learn

• Why all earthly authorities are ultimately established by God to promote order and justice.
• How resisting government authority equates to resisting God's appointed order with serious consequences.
• The role of rulers as God's ministers to reward good and punish evil, reflecting divine justice.
• How love fulfills the entire law by summing up commandments about neighborly conduct.
• The urgency for believers to live as children of light, rejecting sinful behaviors and embracing holiness.
• The practical call to ‘put on the Lord Jesus Christ’ as the defense against fleshly desires.

Believers honor God by submitting to earthly authorities and living in love and holiness as children of light.

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

Romans 13:1 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.

Romans 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Romans 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Romans 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:9 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.

Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Romans 13:1

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.

Study: Paul begins by commanding every person to submit to governing authorities because all power originates from God. This establishes that earthly rulers are not arbitrary but serve a divine purpose in maintaining order. Recognizing that 'the powers that be are ordained of God' helps believers understand submission as obedience to God's sovereign plan, not merely human rule. This truth calls Christians to respect authority even when imperfect, trusting God's control over history.

Romans 13:2

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Study: Resisting government authority is equated with resisting God's ordinance, which brings judgment upon oneself. Paul warns that opposition to rulers is ultimately rebellion against God's established order, carrying spiritual consequences. This underscores the seriousness of disobedience to civil authority and encourages believers to consider the divine implications of their civic actions. It reminds us that God's justice extends through earthly governance.

Romans 13:3

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Study: Rulers are described as not being a terror to those who do good but to evildoers, highlighting their role in promoting justice. Paul appeals to the conscience of believers, encouraging them to do good to avoid fear of authority. This verse reveals the protective and corrective function of government as God's instrument to reward righteousness and restrain evil. It reassures believers that submission aligns with living honorably.

Romans 13:4

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Study: The governing authority is called God's minister, tasked with executing wrath on evildoers, symbolized by bearing the sword. This imagery reflects the covenant purpose of justice and punishment to maintain societal order. Paul emphasizes that rulers serve a divine role in restraining evil, not for personal gain but as God's agents. This teaches believers to respect government as a necessary means of God's righteous judgment.

Romans 13:5

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Study: Submission to authorities is required not only to avoid punishment but also for conscience's sake, indicating an internal moral obligation. Paul moves beyond fear to highlight obedience as a matter of spiritual integrity before God. This insight encourages believers to submit out of reverence for God's order, fostering peace and godly witness. It connects external behavior with heart attitude.

Romans 13:6

For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Study: Paul explains that paying taxes is part of submitting to authorities because they are God's ministers attending to governance. This practical instruction grounds submission in everyday responsibilities, showing how civil duties honor God's ordained order. It also reflects the cultural reality of Roman taxation and the believer's role within society. This verse teaches that obedience includes fulfilling lawful obligations.

Romans 13:7

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Study: Believers are instructed to render to everyone what is due—tribute, customs, fear, and honor—recognizing different forms of respect owed. This comprehensive list shows submission involves financial, social, and emotional attitudes toward others, especially authorities. Paul’s teaching encourages a balanced and respectful posture that honors God’s order and promotes societal harmony. It challenges believers to consider how they show respect in various relationships.

Romans 13:8

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Study: Paul shifts focus to interpersonal relationships, commanding believers to owe nothing except love to one another. This highlights love as the ongoing debt that fulfills the law's demands. The verse connects covenant ethics with practical Christian living, showing that love is the perpetual obligation among believers. It teaches that love transcends legalistic requirements and is the essence of God's law.

Romans 13:9

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.

Study: The commandments listed—against adultery, killing, stealing, false witness, and coveting—are summarized by the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself. Paul reveals that these specific laws are expressions of the broader principle of love. This insight helps readers see the unity of God's moral law centered on love, which fulfills and transcends individual rules. It encourages believers to live by love as the guiding principle.

Romans 13:10

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Study: Love is described as working no ill to a neighbor, thus fulfilling the law’s entire purpose. This verse emphasizes love’s active nature in preventing harm and promoting good. Paul teaches that genuine love naturally obeys God's commands, making legalistic observance unnecessary when love governs behavior. This encourages believers to cultivate love as the true fulfillment of righteousness.

Romans 13:11

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Study: Paul urges believers to recognize the urgency of their spiritual awakening because salvation is nearer than when they first believed. This eschatological perspective motivates holy living and vigilance. The verse connects the believer’s conduct with the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, encouraging readiness for Christ’s return. It reminds Christians to live with eternal perspective and urgency.

Romans 13:12

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Study: The imagery of night ending and day approaching calls believers to cast off deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. This metaphor contrasts sinful behavior with the holiness required in the new covenant. Paul encourages active transformation and spiritual preparedness, reflecting the believer’s identity in Christ. It teaches that living in light involves intentional rejection of sin and embracing godliness.

Romans 13:13

Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

Study: Paul lists specific sins—rioting, drunkenness, chambering, wantonness, strife, and envying—that believers must avoid to walk honestly as in the day. This practical admonition grounds holiness in everyday conduct, contrasting the darkness of sin with the transparency of Christian living. It reveals the cultural vices prevalent in Roman society and calls believers to distinctiveness. This verse challenges believers to live visibly righteous lives.

Romans 13:14

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Study: The final exhortation to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and not fulfill fleshly lusts encapsulates the chapter’s call to holy living. This spiritual clothing metaphor signifies embracing Christ’s character and power to overcome sin. Paul directs believers to rely on Christ’s righteousness rather than their own strength, highlighting the new covenant reality. It encourages daily dependence on Jesus for victory over sinful desires.

Romans 13 teaches that all governing authorities are established by God to maintain justice and order, and believers are called to submit to them out of reverence for God’s sovereign rule. Paul explains that rulers serve as God’s ministers to reward good and punish evil, and Christians must fulfill their civic duties, including paying taxes and showing respect. The chapter also emphasizes that love fulfills the law’s commands and urges believers to live as children of light, rejecting sinful behaviors and embracing holiness in anticipation of salvation.

Lord, help us to honor the authorities You have established, submitting with a heart of reverence and conscience. Teach us to love others genuinely, fulfilling Your law through our actions. Strengthen us to live as children of light, putting on Christ daily and rejecting the darkness around us. May we walk in holiness and readiness, eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of our salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Pray daily for government leaders and those in authority over you.
• Memorize Romans 13:1 to remind yourself of God’s sovereignty over rulers.
• Reflect on ways you can show love to your neighbors this week in practical acts.
• Examine your life for any behaviors of darkness and commit to putting on the armor of light.
• Practice submitting to lawful authorities in your daily decisions and conversations.
• Journal how living as a child of light impacts your relationships and choices.
• Worship God for His justice and mercy displayed through earthly authorities and Christ’s salvation.

Romans 13 calls believers to submit to earthly authorities as God’s ordained ministers of justice, fulfilling their civic duties with respect and love. It teaches that love is the essence of God’s law and urges Christians to live holy, light-filled lives in anticipation of salvation. This chapter bridges faith and practical living, encouraging obedience to God’s order and daily reliance on Christ to overcome sin.

Loading your Kingdom Citizen progress…

Your completed chapters are connected to your Kingdom Citizen account.

View your full progress on the Romans Hub.

Still Studying?

Have a Question About This Chapter?

Ask a Bible question and receive a Scripture-guided study response designed to help point you back to God's Word.