^13:1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment,¹ and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. ^13:2So the person who resists such authority² resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment ^13:3(for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation, ^13:4for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God’s servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer. ^13:5Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities³ but also because of your conscience.⁴^13:6For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities⁵ are God’s servants devoted to governing.⁶^13:7Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

Exhortation to Love Neighbors

^13:8Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

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

1 Grk “by God.”
2 Grk “the authority,” referring to the authority just described.
3 Grk “its wrath”; the referent (the governing authorities) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
4 Grk “because of (the) conscience,” but the English possessive “your” helps to show whose conscience the context implies.
5 Grk “they”; the referent (the governing authorities) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
6 Grk “devoted to this very thing.”