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Romans 13
Disciples’ Literal New Testament

Be Subject To Authorities: They Are Established By God

13 Let every soul be subject[a] to superior authorities. For there is no authority except by God. And the existing ones are established[b] by God. 2 So then the one opposing[c] the authority has resisted[d] the ordinance[e] of God. And the ones having resisted will receive[f] judgment on themselves.

Rulers are God’s Servants To Reward Good And Punish Evil

3 For the rulers are not a fear to good work, but to evil[g]. Now do you want to not be fearing the authority? Be doing good, and you will have praise[h] from him[i]— 4 for he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you are doing evil, be fearing! For he does not bear[j] the sword in-vain[k]— for he is God’s servant, an avenger for wrath on the one practicing evil. 5 Therefore it is a necessity to be subject— not only because of the wrath[l], but also because of the conscience.

So Give Them Their Due

6 For because of this also you pay tributes[m]. For they are ministers[n] of God devoting-themselves to this very thing. 7 Give-back to all authorities the things owed— the tribute to the one owed the tribute, the tax[o] to the one owed the tax, the fear[p] to the one owed the fear, the honor to the one owed the honor.

Pay Your Ongoing Debt of Love

8 Be owing[q] nothing to anyone except to be loving one another. For the one loving the other has fulfilled the Law. 9 For the saying “You shall not commit-adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet” [Ex 20:13-17], and if there is any other commandment, is summed-up in this saying— in the “You shall love your neighbor as yourself ” [Lev 19:18]. 10 Love does not work harm[r] to the neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.

Put On The Weapons of The Light, And Make No Provision For The Flesh

11 And do this knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to arise from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is advanced, and the day has drawn-near. Therefore let us lay-aside[s] the works of the darkness and let us put-on the weapons[t] of the light. 13 Let us walk properly[u] as in the day[v]— not in revelries[w] and drunkenness[x], not in beds[y] and sensualities, not in strife and jealousy, 14 but put-on[z] the Lord Jesus Christ and do not be making provision[aa] for the flesh, for its desires.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 13:1 Or, submit himself.
  2. Romans 13:1 Or, put in place, stationed, arranged, assigned.
  3. Romans 13:2 Or, setting himself against.
  4. Romans 13:2 Or, stood against.
  5. Romans 13:2 Or, decree, direction. The authority of government is God’s decree. Paul is commanding submission to this authority, however it is expressed in your nation. In some nations this includes active involvement in government; in others, citizens have little input.
  6. Romans 13:2 That is, from God, whose decree you have resisted. Secondarily, from the authorities, if you are caught.
  7. Romans 13:3 That is, civil evil, crime.
  8. Romans 13:3 This is the general rule. Paul does not deal here with exceptions. Paul himself was persecuted for doing good, for proclaiming the gospel.
  9. Romans 13:3 Or, it, the authority.
  10. Romans 13:4 Or, wear.
  11. Romans 13:4 That is, for no purpose. Governments have God’s authority to punish evil to the fullest extent, including death, and they serve God’s purposes in doing so. Governments exercise this authority through the police, the courts, and the military, in ways and means and degrees of their own choosing.
  12. Romans 13:5 We submit out of fear of God’s wrath expressed through government, and our own conscience toward God. Usually these are in agreement. In exceptional cases, which Paul does not address here, the conscience must be followed in spite of the threats from government.
  13. Romans 13:6 Taxes paid by foreigners to ruling states, such as that paid by Israel to Rome.
  14. Romans 13:6 Or, public servants. Note that Paul is talking about Rome, which conquered and subjugated his nation and took away their freedom and right of self-government.
  15. Romans 13:7 That is, the local taxes.
  16. Romans 13:7 Or, respect.
  17. Romans 13:8 The owing and the loving refer to the same person or people. Paul is referring here to our personal relations with individuals.
  18. Romans 13:10 Or, evil, civil or personal.
  19. Romans 13:12 That is, like a garment.
  20. Romans 13:12 Or, tools, instruments.
  21. Romans 13:13 Or, decently, with propriety.
  22. Romans 13:13 Paul may mean the broad-daylight; or, the present daylight of the gospel; or, the future day when Jesus comes.
  23. Romans 13:13 Or, wild-parties with drunken antics.
  24. Romans 13:13 This word is plural, and may mean episodes of drunkenness, drinking bouts.
  25. Romans 13:13 That is, sex; in this context, perhaps orgies.
  26. Romans 13:14 Or, wear, clothe-yourself-in.
  27. Romans 13:14 Or, foresight, forethought, plan.
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Romans 13
New International Version

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. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,(C) and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 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) 4 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) 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.(F)

6 This is also why you pay taxes,(G) for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 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

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.(I) 9 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.
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