Thematic Bible: Duty of citizens to

Remind people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready and willing to do good, Verse ConceptsBeing PreparedExhortation, Objects Ofethics, socialCivil authoritieseagernessAuthority, of human institutionsHuman Authority, Christian ResponseCivic DutiesLoyaltyMorality, And CreationObedience, To Human AuthoritiesHonoring AuthorityReadinessRulersSociety, Positive Aspects OfOrderliness In SocietySubmissionWatchfulness, Of BelieversPoliticsCitizens, Christian DutiesCivil GovernmentCitizenshipReminders Of The GospelPreparing For ActionAttitudes Towards KingsBe Subject To PeopleDo Good!Respecting Authorityprincipalities

Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God's appointment. Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged [in divine order]. And those who resist will bring down judgment upon themselves [receiving the penalty due them]. For civil authorities are not a terror to [people of] good conduct, but to [those of] bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in authority? Then do what is right and you will receive his approval and commendation. read more.
For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, [you should dread him and] be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God's wrath and escape punishment, but also as a matter of principle and for the sake of conscience. For this same reason you pay taxes, for [the civil authorities] are official servants under God, devoting themselves to attending to this very service. Render to all men their dues. [Pay] taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due.

Tell us then what You think about this: Is it lawful to pay tribute [levied on individuals and to be paid yearly] to Caesar or not? But Jesus, aware of their malicious plot, asked, Why do you put Me to the test and try to entrap Me, you pretenders (hypocrites)? Show me the money used for the tribute. And they brought Him a denarius. read more.
And Jesus said to them, Whose likeness and title are these? They said, Caesar's. Then He said to them, Pay therefore to Caesar the things that are due to Caesar, and pay to God the things that are due to God.

He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Verse ConceptsGiving, Of Possessionsethics, socialethics, basis ofGiving To OthersCivil authoritiesCitizens, Christian DutiesAuthority, of human institutionsHuman Authority, Christian ResponseObedience, To Human AuthoritiesGiving To GodGod PossessingHonoring AuthoritySubmissionTributesCaesarGiving Backluckbelongingtaxes

Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service. For it is God's will and intention that by doing right [your good and honest lives] should silence (muzzle, gag) the ignorant charges and ill-informed criticisms of foolish persons. read more.
[Live] as free people, [yet] without employing your freedom as a pretext for wickedness; but [live at all times] as servants of God. Show respect for all men [treat them honorably]. Love the brotherhood (the Christian fraternity of which Christ is the Head). Reverence God. Honor the emperor.