Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.
Parallel translations
- 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.
- 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.
- NKJV Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
- NASB Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
- NLT Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Every person should submit to governing authorities, since all authority comes from and is ordained by God.
Overview
Paul teaches that civil government is part of God's ordering of human life, established by him for good order. Believers are to be subject to these authorities as a matter of obedience to God. While Scripture elsewhere shows that obedience to God takes precedence when rulers command sin (Acts 5:29), the general rule here is willing, conscientious submission.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 19
- Titus 3:1Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,
- 1 Pet 2:13–17Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority,
- Dan 2:21He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
- John 19:11Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”
- Prov 8:15–16By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws;
- Jer 27:5–8By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please.
- Jude 1:8Yet in the same way these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings.
- Dan 5:18–23As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.
- Ps 62:11God has spoken once; I have heard this twice: that power belongs to God,
- Eph 5:21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
- 1 Chr 28:4–5Yet the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me out of all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah He chose my father’s household, and from my father’s sons He was pleased to make me king over all Israel.
- Rev 1:5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,
- Rev 19:16And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
- 1 Sam 2:8He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.
- Dan 4:32You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.”
- 2 Pet 2:10–11Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings.
- Matt 6:13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
- Deut 17:12But the man who acts presumptuously, refusing to listen either to the priest who stands there to serve the LORD your God, or to the judge, must be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel.
- Rev 17:14They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
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Original language
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