Submit to governing authorities (Romans 13:1–7)

Says “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God” (13:1, BSB). “whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (13:2, BSB).

Says “rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad” (13:3, BSB). He “is God’s servant” and “does not carry the sword in vain”; he is “an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer” (13:4, BSB). Submit “not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience” (13:5, BSB). Pay “taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due” (13:7, BSB).

Implies Rulers, the sword, and taxes identify civil government. Appointment by God does not declare every official act morally approved. Conscience is more than fear of being caught.

Uncertain A reading that takes the authorities as church or spiritual powers only is possible, but it sits loosely beside rulers, sword, and taxes. How far submission reaches, what the sword authorizes, and whether 13:3–4 describes every regime are not decided here. No lean is taken here. See note.exegetical.Rom.13.1-Rom.13.7.authority-limits. SBLGNT prints the shorter wording of 13:1 (var.Rom.13.1.exousiai).