Thematic Bible
Romans 13:1 (show verse)
Every subject must obey the government-authorities, for no authority exists apart from God; the existing authorities have been constituted by God.
Romans 13:2 (show verse)
Hence anyone who resists authority is opposing the divine order, and the opposition will bring judgment on themselves.
Romans 13:3 (show verse)
Magistrates are no terror to an honest man, though they are to a bad man. If you want to avoid being alarmed at the government-authorities, lead an honest life and you will be commended for it;
Romans 13:4 (show verse)
the magistrate is God's servant for your benefit. But if you do wrong, you may well be alarmed; a magistrate does not wield the power of the sword for nothing, he is God's servant for the infliction of divine vengeance upon evil-doers.
Romans 13:5 (show verse)
You must be obedient, therefore, not only to avoid the divine vengeance but as a matter of conscience,
Romans 13:6 (show verse)
for the same reason as you pay taxes ??since magistrates are God's officers, bent upon the maintenance of order and authority.
Romans 13:7 (show verse)
Pay them all their respective dues, tribute to one, taxes to another, respect to this man, honour to that.
Romans 13:8 (show verse)
Be in debt to no man ??apart from the debt of love one to another. He who loves his fellow-man has fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:9 (show verse)
You must not commit adultery, you must not kill, you must not steal, you must not covet ??these and any other command are summed up in a single word, You must love your neighbour as yourself.
Romans 13:10 (show verse)
Love never wrongs a neighbour; that is why love is the fulfilment of the law.
Romans 13:11 (show verse)
And then you know what this Crisis means, you know it is high time to waken up; for Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
Romans 13:12 (show verse)
It is far on in the night, the day is almost here; so let us drop the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of the light;
Romans 13:13 (show verse)
let us live decorously as in the open light of day ??no revelry or bouts of drinking, no debauchery or sensuality, no quarrelling or jealousy.
Romans 13:14 (show verse)
No, put on the character of the Lord Jesus Christ, and never think how to gratify the cravings of the flesh.