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13 Let every soul be subject to the superior authorities. For there is no authority except from God. And the existing authority is ordained by God.

Therefore, whoever resists that authority, resists the ordinance of God. And those who resist, shall receive condemnation upon themselves.

For rulers are not to be feared for good works, but for evil. Do you, then, wish to be without fear of authority? Do well, and you shall have of the same.

For he is the minister of God for your good. But if you do evil, fear. For he does not bear the sword for nothing. For he is the minister of God to take vengeance on evildoers.

Therefore, you must be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

For because of this you also pay tribute. For they are God’s ministers, persisting continually in this very thing.

Therefore, give all their due - tribute to whom you owe tribute, custom to whom custom: fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Owe nothing to anyone, except to be loving one another. For the one who loves another has fulfilled the Law.

For these: ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet’ - as well as any other commandment - are summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’.

10 Love does no evil to his neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the Law.

11 And this also we know (considering the season): that now is the time that we should arise from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we believed it.

12 The night is past, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast away the works of darkness. And let us put on the armor of light,

13 so that we walk honestly (as in the day), not in gluttony and drunkenness, nor in promiscuity and lewdness, nor in strife and envying.

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ. And take no thought for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts of it.

Submission to Governing Authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,(A) for there is no authority except that which God has established.(B) The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,(C) and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.(D) For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.(E) Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.(F)

This is also why you pay taxes,(G) for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes;(H) if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Love Fulfills the Law

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.(I) The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a](J) and whatever other command there may be, are summed up(K) in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b](L) 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.(M)

The Day Is Near

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come(N) for you to wake up from your slumber,(O) because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.(P) So let us put aside the deeds of darkness(Q) and put on the armor(R) of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness,(S) not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.(T) 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,(U) and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.[c](V)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 13:9 Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deut. 5:17-19,21
  2. Romans 13:9 Lev. 19:18
  3. Romans 13:14 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.