26 Bible Verses about Authority, of human institutions

wherefore God abandon'd them to the impure passions of their own hearts, so that they themselves dishonour'd their own bodies; they changed the true God for an idol, and adored and served the creature more than the creator, who is blessed for ever. amen. for this cause God gave them up to infamous passions: for even the sex perverted the instinct of nature:

for his administration is appointed by God for your good. but if you do wrong, you have reason to be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: he being the minister of God, to execute punishment upon malefactors.

Be every one of you subject to the ruling powers. for every ruler holds of God: the rulers in being are constituted by God. so that he who opposes the ruler, disobeys the orders of God: and will be punished too for resisting, by those very powers.

Jesus answered, you could not have any power over me, except you deriv'd it from above: therefore they who delivered me into your hands are the most culpable.

and glorify God in the times of distress. be subject therefore, for the Lord's sake to every human establishment: whether it be to the king,

from a principle of conscience. for this is the reason why you also pay tribute, because under God, they are continually

for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in the practice of all piety and virtue;

as supreme; or to governors, as being deputed by him to punish those who do ill,

Be every one of you subject to the ruling powers. for every ruler holds of God: the rulers in being are constituted by God.

tell us therefore, what is your opinion? is it lawful to pay tribute to Cesar, or no? but Jesus perceiving their malice, said, why, hypocrites, would you insnare me? shew me the tribute money. and they brought him a penny.read more.
and he said unto them, whose image and inscription is this? they answer'd, Cesar's. then said he to them, render therefore unto Cesar, the things which are Cesar's: and unto God, the things that are God's.

when they were come, they said to him, master, we know that you are sincere, that you are not influenced by any one, for you have no regard to the person of men: but teach us the way of God according to truth. now should we pay tribute to Cesar, or no? shall we pay, or shall we not pay? but he, perceiving their hypocrisy, said to them, why do you lay snares for me? let me see a penny. and when they brought it, he asked them, whose image and inscription is this? they said, Cesar's.read more.
to which Jesus reply'd, render to Cesar what belongs to Cesar, and to God what belongs to God. and they were surprized at the answer.

should we pay tribute to Cesar, or no? but Jesus perceiving their malicious design, said to them, why do you practise upon me? show me a penny: whose image and inscription is this? they answer'd, Cesar's.read more.
render then, said he, to Cesar, what belongs to Cesar, and to God, what belongs to God.

wherefore you ought to submit not only from an apprehension of punishment, but from a principle of conscience. for this is the reason why you also pay tribute, because under God, they are continually attending upon the publick administration. render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, reverence to whom reverence, honour to whom honour.

Admonish them to be subject to princes and to magistrates, to obey their orders, and to exert their virtue and loyalty upon all occasions.

and glorify God in the times of distress. be subject therefore, for the Lord's sake to every human establishment: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or to governors, as being deputed by him to punish those who do ill,

attending upon the publick administration. render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, reverence to whom reverence, honour to whom honour.

of God. Be respectful to all, love your brethren, fear God, and honour the king.

but Peter and John made answer, do you yourselves judge, whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you rather than God.

they answer'd, Cesar's. then said he to them, render therefore unto Cesar, the things which are Cesar's: and unto God, the things that are God's.

to which Jesus reply'd, render to Cesar what belongs to Cesar, and to God what belongs to God. and they were surprized at the answer.

render then, said he, to Cesar, what belongs to Cesar, and to God, what belongs to God.

'Twas by faith that the parents of Moses conceal'd him for three months after his birth, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

I exhort you therefore, above all things, to present supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving for all men: for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in the practice of all piety and virtue;

When it was day the officers sent their serjeants to bid the jayler let the men go. so the jayler told Paul, the magistrates had order'd them to be discharg'd. depart then, said he, and go in peace. but Paul replied, they have publickly scourg'd us, who are Romans, without any trial, they have thrown us into jayl, and now do they give us a private discharge? no, let them come themselves and release us.read more.
the serjeants having reported what he said, to their officers, they began to be apprehensive upon hearing they were Romans. so they came, and by persuasions brought them out, and desired them to leave the city.

Till that word, the Jews had given their attention, but then they broke out into a full cry, "out of the world with such a fellow: for it is not fit he should live." thus they roar'd, and threw off their cloaks, and scatter'd dust in the air: when the commanding officer order'd him to be brought into the castle, and put to the question by the lash, in order to find out the reason of their exclamations against him.read more.
as they were tying him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion, does the law allow to scourge a Roman citizen, and without any trial? upon hearing that, the centurion went to acquaint the head officer, take care, said he, what you do; for this man is a Roman. then the head officer came to him, and said, tell me, are you a Roman? he answer'd, yes. the officer rejoin'd, my freedom cost me a considerable sum. but I had it, said Paul, by right of birth. immediately those who were going to put him to the question, withdrew: the commander himself being under some apprehension for having order'd him to be bound.

Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus went from Cesarea to Jerusalem: when the high priest and the chief of the Jews waited upon him with an information against Paul, "desiring the favour he might be sent for to Jerusalem." they having prepar'd measures to assassinate him upon the road.read more.
Festus answer'd, that Paul was in custody at Cesarea, where he design'd to be himself e'er long: the most considerable, said he, among you may go with me, and if he has committed any crime, let 'em begin the process. Having staid above eight, nay ten days, he went to Cesarea, and on the morrow mounting the tribunal, he order'd Paul to be brought before him. when he appear'd, the Jews, who were come from Jerusalem presented themselves before Festus, and loaded Paul with abundance of accusations, which they were not able to prove. to this he answer'd, "I have not been guilty of any misdemeanour, either against the law, or against the temple, or against Cesar." but Festus willing to oblige the Jews ask'd him, will you consent to go to Jerusalem, and take your trial before me there? "I stand, said Paul, to the tribunal of Cesar, where I ought to be judged. to the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself very well know. if I am guilty of any capital crime, I am contented to die. but since their accusations are all groundless, that I may not be sacrificed to their humour, I appeal to Cesar." upon this, Festus having deliberated with his council, answer'd, "since you have appeal'd to Cesar, to Cesar you shall go."