13Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, ^xfor there is no authority except from God, ^yand those that exist are instituted by God. ²So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. ³For rulers are not a terror ^zto good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. ⁴For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger ^athat brings wrath on the one who does wrong. ⁵Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. ^b⁶And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s public servants, continually attending to these tasks. ^c⁷Pay your obligations ^dto everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, ^etolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, ^fand honor to those you owe honor.

Love, Our Primary Duty

⁸Do not owe anyone anything, ^gexcept to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. ^h

Read in Logos

Romans 13:3: For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval …

Footnotes

c13:6 to this very thing
g13:8 Or Leave no debt outstanding to anyone

Cross references

x13:1 Ti 3:1; 1Pt 2:13
y13:1 Dn 2:21; 4:17; Jn 19:1
z13:3 1Pt 2:14
a13:4 1Th 4:6
b13:5 1Pt 2:13, 19
d13:7 Mt 22:21
e13:7 Lk 20:22; 23:2
f13:7 Mt 17:25
h13:8 Mt 7:12; 22:39; Jn 13:34; Rm 12:10; Gl 5:14; Jms 2:8