10 Bible Verses about Magistrates
Most Relevant Verses
Let every individual be obedient to those who rule over him; for no one is a ruler except by God's permission, and our present rulers have had their rank and power assigned to them by Him.
For he is God's servant for your benefit. But if you do what is wrong, be afraid. He does not wear the sword to no purpose: he is God's servant--an administrator to inflict punishment upon evil-doers.
or to provincial Governors as sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and the encouragement of those who do what is right.
For judges and magistrates are to be feared not by right-doers but by wrong-doers. You desire--do you not? --to have no reason to fear your ruler. Well, do the thing that is right, and then he will commend you.
I exhort then, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men; including kings and all who are in high station, in order that we may live peaceful and tranquil lives with all godliness and gravity.
The teacher must do the same in his teaching; and he who exhorts others, in his exhortation. He who gives should be liberal; he who is in authority should be energetic and alert; and he who succours the afflicted should do it cheerfully.
And when they are bringing you before synagogues and magistrates and governors, do not anxiously ponder the manner or matter of your defence, nor what you are to say;
Let every individual be obedient to those who rule over him; for no one is a ruler except by God's permission, and our present rulers have had their rank and power assigned to them by Him. Therefore the man who rebels against his ruler is resisting God's will; and those who thus resist will bring punishment upon themselves.
"I did not know, brethren," replied Paul, "that he was the High Priest; for it is written, 'Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of Thy people.'"
Submit, for the Lord's sake, to every authority set up by man, whether it be to the Emperor as supreme ruler, or to provincial Governors as sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and the encouragement of those who do what is right.
From Thematic Bible
Foundation » Illustrative of » Magistrates
Magistrates » Wisdom and integrity essential to
Magistrates » Examples of honour rendered to
Magistrates » Should » Judge righteously
Magistrates » Should » Rule in the fear of God
Magistrates » Should » Not take bribes
Magistrates » Should » Be impartial
Magistrates » Wicked--exemplified » Pilate
So when he saw that he could gain nothing, but that on the contrary there was a riot threatening, he called for water and washed his hands in sight of them all, saying, "I am not responsible for this murder: you must answer for it."
Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he ordered to be scourged, and gave Him up to be crucified.
Magistrates » Purpose of their appointment
For he is God's servant for your benefit. But if you do what is wrong, be afraid. He does not wear the sword to no purpose: he is God's servant--an administrator to inflict punishment upon evil-doers.
or to provincial Governors as sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and the encouragement of those who do what is right.
Magistrates » Are ministers of God
For he is God's servant for your benefit. But if you do what is wrong, be afraid. He does not wear the sword to no purpose: he is God's servant--an administrator to inflict punishment upon evil-doers.
Why, this is really the reason you pay taxes; for tax-gatherers are ministers of God, devoting their energies to this very work.
Magistrates » To be wisely selected and appointed
Magistrates » Should » Defend the poor, &c
Magistrates » Should » Judge for God, not for man
Magistrates » Good--exemplified » samuel
Magistrates » Should » Judge wisely
Magistrates » To be prayed for
I exhort then, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men; including kings and all who are in high station, in order that we may live peaceful and tranquil lives with all godliness and gravity.
Magistrates » Should » Subjection to their authority encouraged
"The Scribes," He said, "and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses. Therefore do and observe everything that they command you; but do not imitate their lives, for though they tell others what to do, they do not do it themselves.
Magistrates » Wicked--illustrated
Magistrates » Wicked--exemplified » Magistrates in philippi
The crowd, too, joined in the outcry against them, till at length the praetors ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods; and, after severely flogging them, they threw them into jail and bade the jailer keep them safely.
Magistrates » Wicked--exemplified » Gallio
So he ordered them out of court. Then the people all set upon Sosthenes, the Warden of the synagogue, and beat him severely in front of the court. Gallio did not concern himself in the least about this.
Magistrates » Good--exemplified » Nehemiah
Magistrates » Good--exemplified » Joseph
Magistrates » Wicked--exemplified » Sons of samuel
Magistrates » Should » Hate covetousness
Magistrates » Good--exemplified » gideon
Magistrates » Should » Be diligent in ruling
The teacher must do the same in his teaching; and he who exhorts others, in his exhortation. He who gives should be liberal; he who is in authority should be energetic and alert; and he who succours the afflicted should do it cheerfully.
Magistrates » Should » Seek wisdom from God
Magistrates » Are not a terror to the good, but to the evil
For judges and magistrates are to be feared not by right-doers but by wrong-doers. You desire--do you not? --to have no reason to fear your ruler. Well, do the thing that is right, and then he will commend you.
Magistrates » Are appointed by God
Let every individual be obedient to those who rule over him; for no one is a ruler except by God's permission, and our present rulers have had their rank and power assigned to them by Him.
Magistrates » Wicked--exemplified » Felix
At the same time he hoped that Paul would give him money; and for this reason he sent for him the oftener to converse with him.
Magistrates » Good--exemplified » Daniel
Magistrates » Should » Be faithful to the sovereign
Magistrates » Good--exemplified » Job
Magistrates » Should » Know the law of God
Magistrates » Should » Enforce the laws
Magistrates » Their office to be respected
"I did not know, brethren," replied Paul, "that he was the High Priest; for it is written, 'Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of Thy people.'"
Related Topics
- Acceptance Of Bribes
- Attitudes Towards Kings
- Authority
- Authority, of human institutions
- Avoiding Bribes
- Blinding
- Bribery, Is Sin
- Citizenship
- Civic Duties
- Civil Government
- Civil authorities
- Commendation
- Covetousness
- Encouraging Others
- Favouritism
- Fear
- Giving Money To The Church
- Government
- Helping Others In Need
- Honesty
- Honouring Rulers
- Human Authority, Christian Response
- Human Authority, Instituted By God
- Judges
- Judging Rightly
- Judicial Punishment
- Kings, Duties Of
- Lawsuits
- Leaders
- Leaders, Political
- Leadership Qualities
- Loyalty
- Making Decisions
- Ministry, Nature Of
- Nature Of Kings
- Orderliness In Society
- Other Blinding
- Politics
- Power, Human
- Punishment
- Punishment, Nature Of
- Quietness
- Resistance
- Respecting Authority
- Retribution
- Reverence, And Social Behaviour
- Righteous, The
- Rulers
- Security
- Social duties
- Submission
- Taxation
- Ethics, basis of
- Ethics, incentives towards
- Ethics, social
- Evil, warnings against
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