26 Bible Verses about Authority, of human institutions

Wherefore God abandoned them, through the lusts of their own hearts, unto impurity, to dishonour their own bodies by themselves: who perverted the truth of God by falsehood, and worshipped and paid divine honours to the thing created instead of the Creator, who is blessed for evermore. Amen. For this cause God gave them up to dishonourable passions. For even their women did change the natural use into that which was contrary to nature;

for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou doest that which is evil, tremble! for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to inflict wrath on him that practises what is evil.

LET every soul be subject to the superior powers: for there is no power but from God; the existing powers are appointed by God. Wherefore he that sets himself against authority, resists the ordinance of God: and they who resist shall receive to themselves condemnation.

Jesus answered, Thou wouldest have had no authority over me, unless it had been given thee from above: for this reason, he that hath delivered me up to thee hath the greater crime.

Be subject therefore to every human constitution for the Lord's sake; whether to a king as the supreme magistrate;

For on this account pay ye taxes also: for they are God's ministers, continually employed on this very service.

for kings, and all that are in a state of eminence, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and seriousness.

or to governors, as sent by him for the punishment of wicked doers, but the praise of those who do well.

LET every soul be subject to the superior powers: for there is no power but from God; the existing powers are appointed by God.

tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar, or not? But Jesus knew their wicked design, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the money for the tribute; and they brought him a denarius.read more.
And he saith unto them, Whose figure is this and inscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he to them, Render therefore to Caesar, the things which are Caesar's; and to God, the things which are God's.

And they come and say to him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar, or not? shall we pay, or shall we not pay it? but he, perceiving their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a denarius, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he said unto them, Whose figure and inscription is this? they say unto him, Caesar's.read more.
And Jesus addressing them, said, Render the things which are Caesar's, to Caesar; and what belongs to God, to God. And they marvelled at him.

Is it lawful for us to pay tribute to Caesar, or not? Then he, aware of their crafty design, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Shew me a denarius. Whose image and inscription hath it? And they answering said, Caesar's.read more.
Then said he to them, Pay therefore to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's.

Wherefore there is a necessity for being in subjection, not only for fear of wrath, but also for conscience sake. For on this account pay ye taxes also: for they are God's ministers, continually employed on this very service. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.

REMIND them to be subject to princes and those invested with authority, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work,

Be subject therefore to every human constitution for the Lord's sake; whether to a king as the supreme magistrate; or to governors, as sent by him for the punishment of wicked doers, but the praise of those who do well.

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

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

But Peter and John, answering them, said, If it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, be yourselves the judges.

They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he to them, Render therefore to Caesar, the things which are Caesar's; and to God, the things which are God's.

And Jesus addressing them, said, Render the things which are Caesar's, to Caesar; and what belongs to God, to God. And they marvelled at him.

Then said he to them, Pay therefore to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's.

By faith Moses, after he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw the child singularly beautiful; and they were not intimidated by the command of the king.

I EXHORT therefore, first of all, that there be offered supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings for the whole race of mankind: for kings, and all that are in a state of eminence, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and seriousness.

But when it was day, the magistrates sent the lictors, saying, Set those men at large. Then the jailor told these words to Paul, That the magistrates had sent to set them at liberty: now therefore, [said he,] get ye out, and pursue your journey in peace. But Paul said to them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Roman citizens, and have cast us into prison; and would they now clandestinely send us away? no, verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.read more.
Then the lictors reported all these words to the magistrates: and they were terrified, when they heard they were Roman citizens. So they came and spoke kindly to them, and fetching them out, besought them to depart from the city.

And they gave him audience to this sentence, and lifted up their voice, saying, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. So when they began raising a vast clamour, and stripping off their garments, and casting dust into the air, the military tribune commanded him to be brought into the fortress, ordering that he should be put to the question by scourging; that he might know for what cause they clamoured so loudly against him.read more.
So as they were tying him up for the thongs, Paul said to the centurion standing by him, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen, and uncondemned? And when the centurion heard this, he came and told the military tribune, saying, Consider what you are going to do: for this man is a Roman citizen. Then the tribune came, and said to him, Tell me, art thou a Roman citizen? And he said, Yes. And the tribune replied, With a large sum of money I purchased this citizenship. And Paul said, But I enjoy it as my birthright. Immediately then they who were about to put him to the question, withdrew from him: and indeed the tribune dreaded the consequences, when he knew that he was a Roman citizen, that he had even gone so far as to bind him.

WHEN Festus then was come into the province, after three days he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the high-priest and the principal persons among the Jews informed him against Paul, and entreated him, begging it as a favour from him, that he would send him back to Jerusalem, lying in wait for him to kill him on the road.read more.
Then Festus answered, that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was going thither shortly. Let therefore, said he, those among you who are able, go down with me, and accuse him, if there be anything criminal in this man. And after staying with them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and on the morrow seated on the bench, commanded Paul to be brought. And on his appearing, the Jews who came down from Jerusalem surrounded him, and laid many and heavy accusations against Paul, which they were not able to prove. But he pleaded in his defence, That neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I committed the least offence. Then Festus, desirous of ingratiating himself with the Jews, replying to Paul, said, Wilt thou go up unto Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Then said Paul, I am standing before the tribunal of Caesar, where I have a right to be judged: against the Jews I have committed no offence, as thou also clearly perceivest. For indeed if I have committed any crime, or done aught worthy of death, I object not to be put to death: but if there is nothing in those things whereof they accuse me, no man dare gratify them by abandoning me to them. I appeal unto Caesar. Then Festus, after conferring with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed to Caesar? to Caesar shalt thou go.