18 Bible Verses about Government

And to the angel of the church at Laodicea write, These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: O that thou wert cold or hot! So because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot; I will spue thee out of my mouth. read more.
Because thou sayst, I am rich, and have inriched myself, and have need of nothing, and knowest not, that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. I counsel thee to buy of me gold purified in the fire, that thou mayst be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayst be clothed, and the shame of thy nakedness may not appear; and eye-salve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayst see. Whomsoever I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me. He that overcometh, I will give him to sit with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Therefore I suffer all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is through Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: if we are dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him:

And truly the Son of man goeth as it was determined; but wo to that man, by whom the Son of man is betrayed. And they inquired among themselves, Which of them it was, that would do this? There was also a contention among them, Which of them was greatest. read more.
And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and they that exercise authority upon them have the title of benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he that is chief as he that serveth. For which is greater, he that sitteth at table, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at table? But I am in the midst of you as he that serveth. Ye are they who have continued with in me in my temptations. And I appoint to you a kingdom, as my Father to me, That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And to the angel of the church at Thyatira write, These things saith the Son of God, who hath eyes as a flame of fire, and his feet like fine brass. I know thy love and faith, and thy service and patience, and thy last works more than the first. But I have against thee, that thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, who callest herself a prophetess, and teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. read more.
And I gave her time to repent of her fornication; but she will not repent. Behold I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her, into great affliction, unless they repent of her works. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know, that I am he who searcheth the reins and hearts; and I will give you, every man, according to your works. But I say to you, the rest that are at Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak, I will lay upon you no other burden. But what ye have, hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. (And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken in pieces) as I also have received from my Father. And I will give him the morning star.

They answered and said to him, Thou-wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus, to put him to death. And having bound him, they led him away and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governour.

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority dost thou these things? And who gave thee this authority?

And straightway in the morning the chief priests consulted with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, and having bound Jesus, carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

Then the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled together, at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas. And consulted, how they might apprehend Jesus by subtlety and kill him. But they said, Not at the feast, lest there be a tumult among the people.

And if any one be hungry, let him eat at home, that ye come not together to condemnation. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

And the apostles and elders came together, to consider of this matter.

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, that no further burden be laid upon you than these necessary things, To abstain from meats offered to idols and blood,

For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?

Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father, the younger men as brethren;

Jesus answered and said to him, If any man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not, keepeth not my words: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me. These things have I spoken to you, while I remained with you. But the Comforter, read more.
the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye heard me say to you, I go, and come again to you. If ye loved me, ye would have rejoyced, because I said, I go to the Father; for my Father is greater than me. And now I have told you, before it come to pass, that when it is come to pass, ye may believe. Hereafter I shall not talk much with with you; for the prince of this world is coming; but he hath nothing in me:

But if our gospel also is veiled, it is veiled to them that perish; Whose unbelieving minds the god of this world hath blinded, lest the illumination of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine upon them.

But I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go: for if I go not, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you. And he coming will convince the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; read more.
Of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Yet we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: but not the wisdom of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the hidden wisdom of God in a mystery, which God ordained before the world for our glory; Which none of the rulers of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

And after five days, Ananias the high priest came down with the elders, and a certain orator, named Tertullus; and appeared before the governor against Paul.

And having bound him, they led him away and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governour.

An heretic after a first and second admonition reject,

Among which are Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Now I Paul myself, who when present am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you, intreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ,

with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one to Satan, for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

I told you before, and do tell before-hand (though now absent, as if I were present the second time) those who had sinned before, and all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat thereon, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

But I say unto you, Swear not at all, neither by heaven, for it is God's throne.

And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, who sat before God on their thrones, fell on their faces and worshiped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who is, and who was, because thou hast taken thy great power, and hast reigned.

Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted to them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

And I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Verily I say to you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.

And as they went through the cities, they gave them the decrees, which were determined by the apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem to keep.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch over your souls, as they that must give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with groans: for that is unprofitable for you.

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work:

Let every soul be subject to the supreme powers, for there is no power but from God; the powers that be, are appointed by God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the appointment of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves condemnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Wouldest thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from it; for he is the servant of God to thee for good. read more.
But if thou dost that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the servant of God, an avenger for wrath against him that doth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause ye pay tribute also: for they are the ministers of God, attending continually on this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.

Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar, or not? But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute-mony. And they brought to him a penny. read more.
He saith to them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say to him, Cesar's. Then said he to them, Render therefore to Cesar the things that are Cesar's, and to God the things that are God's.

He said, Render therefore to C?sar the things which are C?sar's, and to God the things which are God's.

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme, Or to governors, as sent by him, for the punishment of evil-doers, and the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, read more.
yet not having your liberty for a cloak of wickedness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men, Love the brotherhood, Fear God,

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, going to the chief priests, Said, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him to you?

Then Judas who had betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned, in betraying innocent blood.

And in those days there went out a decree from Augustus Cesar, that all the world should be inrolled.

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme, Or to governors, as sent by him, for the punishment of evil-doers, and the praise of them that do well.

Let every soul be subject to the supreme powers, for there is no power but from God; the powers that be, are appointed by God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the appointment of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves condemnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Wouldest thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from it; for he is the servant of God to thee for good. read more.
But if thou dost that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the servant of God, an avenger for wrath against him that doth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause ye pay tribute also: for they are the ministers of God, attending continually on this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.

But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. Then Pilate, seeing, that he could prevail nothing, but rather a tumult was made, took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just man: see ye to it.

Upon this Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou release this man, thou art not a friend to Cesar. Whosoever maketh himself a king, opposeth Cesar. Pilate hearing this saying, brought Jesus forth, and sat on the judgment seat, in a place called the Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha; (It was then the preparation of the passover, and about the third hour:) And saith to the Jews, Behold your king. read more.
But they cried out, Away with him, away with him. Pilate saith to them, Shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cesar. Then delivered he him to them, to be crucified.

And having removed him, he raised up to them David for their king, to whom also bearing witness he said, I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, who will do all my will.

Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?

Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophecy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh to me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Then come together to him the Pharisees and certain of the scribes, who came from Jerusalem. And they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, unwashen hands. Now the Pharisees and all the Jews, except they wash their hands to the wrist, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

Honour all men, Love the brotherhood, Fear God,

And immediately the king sent one of his guard, and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in the prison, And brought his head in a charger and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother.

And he hoped also that money would have been given him by Paul to release him; therefore he sent for him the oftner, and discoursed with him.