19 Bible Verses about Civil Government

Moreover thou shalt consider out of all the people men of virtue, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness, and place princes over them, of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

for he is a minister of God for thy good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain, for he is a minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.

For the LORD shall be our judge, the LORD shall be our lawgiver, the LORD shall be our king; he himself will save us.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We must persuade God rather than men.

Let every soul submit itself to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God, and the powers that be are ordained of God.

Give me from among you, of your tribes, wise and understanding and expert men, and I will make them the head over you.

Therefore, be subject to every human ordinance that is of the Lord, whether it be to a king or to a superior, and unto governors as unto those that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those that do well.

Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God, and those that resist shall receive condemnation to themselves.

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, neither pleasing the poor, nor favoring the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

The God of Israel dictated unto me, the strong One of Israel spoke): He that rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

And it shall be when he sits upon the throne of his kingdom that he shall cause a copy of this second law to be written in a book in the presence of the priests the Levites; and it shall be near unto him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them, that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand or to the left, to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his sons, in the midst of Israel.

They say unto him, Caesar's. Then said he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's.

Whoever sheds man's blood in man, his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God is man made.

Understand now therefore, O ye kings: receive chastening, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled in a little while. Blessed are all those that put their trust in him.

Let every soul submit itself to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God, and the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God, and those that resist shall receive condemnation to themselves. For the magistrates are not a terror unto those who do good, but to the doer of evil. Is thy desire therefore to not fear the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same;read more.
for he is a minister of God for thy good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain, for he is a minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil. Therefore it is necessary that ye be subject, not only for punishment, but also for conscience sake. For this cause ye also pay them tribute, for they are God's ministers, attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Therefore, be subject to every human ordinance that is of the Lord, whether it be to a king or to a superior, and unto governors as unto those that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those that do well. For this is the will of God, that in well doing ye may silence the ignorance of vain men,read more.
as being free, yet not using your liberty to cover maliciousness, but as slaves of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth; but I say unto you, That ye resist not with evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians to catch him in his words. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art a man of truth who regards no man; for thou dost not look upon the appearance of men, but dost with truth teach the way of God; is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not? Shall we give or shall we not give? Then he, understanding their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Bring me the coin that I may see it.read more.
And they brought it. And he said unto them, Of whom is this image and inscription? And they said unto him, Of Caesar. And Jesus, answering, said unto them, Render that which is of Caesar unto Caesar, and that which is of God unto God. And they marvelled at this.

Admonish them to be subject to dominion and power, and to persuade those who have authority, that they be quick unto every good work.