Submission to Authorities and Civic Duty
Romans 13:1-7
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Rom.13.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Πασα: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- ψυχη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εξουσιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- υπερεχουσαις: PART,pres,act,dat,pl,f
- υποτασσεσθω: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,3,sg
- ου: PART,neg
- γαρ: PART
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εξουσια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- υπο: PREP
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- δε: CONJ
- ουσαι: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,f
- υπο: PREP
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τεταγμεναι: PART,perf,pass,nom,pl,f
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- 1 Peter 2:13-14 (verbal): Uses similar imperative to submit to human authorities (ὑποτάσσεσθε/ὑποτάσσεσθω) and grounds Christian submission in conscience before God.
- Titus 3:1 (verbal): Explicit injunction to be subject to rulers and authorities and to obey them—closely parallels Romans' instruction about civil obedience.
- 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (thematic): Calls for prayers for kings and those in authority so Christians may lead peaceful lives, presupposing the legitimacy and divine ordering of civil authorities.
- Matthew 22:21 (thematic): Jesus' 'Render to Caesar...' principle acknowledges a sphere of governmental authority and duty toward secular rulers, resonating with Romans' appeal to submission to governing powers.
- Daniel 2:21 (allusion): Affirms God's sovereignty over the rise and fall of rulers ('He removes and sets up kings'), providing a theological basis for Paul’s claim that authorities are established by God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.
- Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.
Rom.13.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ωστε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αντιτασσομενος: VERB,pres,mid,ptcp,nom,sg,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- εξουσια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- διαταγη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ανθεστηκεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- ανθεστηκοτες: VERB,perf,act,ptcp,nom,pl,m
- εαυτοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- κριμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- λημψονται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Rom.13.1 (structural): Immediate context: asserts that every authority is instituted by God, so resisting authority is resisting God's ordinance (direct continuation of the same argument).
- 1 Peter 2:13-14 (thematic): Urges submission to every human institution for the Lord's sake, framing rulers as established to punish wrongdoers—echoes the theological reason for submitting to authorities.
- Titus 3:1 (thematic): Commands believers to be submissive to rulers and authorities and to be ready for good works—similar ethical instruction about relation to governing powers.
- Acts 5:29 (quotation): The apostles' dictum 'We must obey God rather than men' provides the counterpoint when human commands conflict with God's will, showing limits to submission.
- Matt.22:21 (verbal): Jesus' 'Render to Caesar...' acknowledges the legitimacy of earthly authority and its distinct sphere, supporting the principle that government has ordained functions.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
- Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
Rom.13.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- γαρ: PART
- αρχοντες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- φοβος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- αγαθω: ADJ,dat,sg,n
- εργω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- αλλα: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κακω: ADJ,dat,sg,n
- θελεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- μη: PART
- φοβεισθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εξουσιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αγαθον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ποιει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- εξεις: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,sg
- επαινον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εξ: PREP
- αυτης·: PRON,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Peter 2:13-14 (verbal): Uses language very similar to Rom 13:3–4: submits to human institutions because rulers punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good — close verbal and conceptual parallel.
- Titus 3:1 (thematic): Paul's exhortation to be subject to rulers and ready for every good work echoes the connection in Rom 13:3 between lawful conduct, submission, and approval from authorities.
- 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (thematic): Calls for prayers for kings and all in high positions so Christians may live peaceful, orderly lives—reflects the concern in Rom 13 for social order and the beneficial role of authorities toward those who do good.
- Romans 13:4 (structural): Immediate continuation of 13:3: explicitly identifies the ruler as God's servant for your good and as God's avenger against wrongdoers, completing the argument about why one should not fear legitimate authority.
Alternative generated candidates
- Rulers are not a terror to good conduct but to bad. Do you want to be without fear of the authority? Do what is good, and you will receive its approval.
- For rulers are not a terror to those who do good, but to those who do evil. Would you have no fear of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will receive praise from him.
Rom.13.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- διακονος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αγαθον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- εαν: CONJ
- δε: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- κακον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ποιης: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,sg
- φοβου·ου: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,sg
- γαρ: PART
- εικη: ADV
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- μαχαιραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- φορει·θεου: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- γαρ: PART
- διακονος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εκδικος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- οργην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- κακον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- πρασσοντι: VERB,pres,act,part,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Rom.13.1 (structural): Immediate context: commands submission to governing authorities as instituted by God, of which v.4 explains the authority's role as God's servant.
- Rom.13.5 (verbal): Directly related clause: gives the practical reason to obey—fear of the authority because it 'bears the sword' to punish wrongdoers, echoing v.4's language and function.
- Rom.12.19 (thematic): Both verses address who executes punishment/vengeance—Rom.13 assigns punishment to governing authorities as God's instrument; Rom.12 exhorts believers to leave vengeance to God.
- Gen.9.6 (allusion): OT precedent for human-administered judgment of wrongdoing ('whoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed'), underlying the theological justification for authorities bearing the sword.
- 1 Pet.2.13-14 (thematic): Peter likewise urges submission to human authorities and recognizes their role in restraining wrongdoing, echoing Paul's rationale that rulers serve God's purposes in maintaining order.
Alternative generated candidates
- For it is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword in vain; it is the servant of God, an avenger executing wrath on the wrongdoer.
- For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain. He is God's servant, an avenger who executes wrath on the wrongdoer.
Rom.13.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- διο: CONJ
- αναγκη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- υποτασσεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
- ου: PART,neg
- μονον: ADV
- δια: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- οργην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αλλα: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- δια: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- συνειδησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Rom.13.1-4 (structural): Immediate context: Paul argues rulers are God's servants who bear the sword and punish the wrongdoer — explaining submission 'because of wrath' and grounding the exhortation in the role of governing authorities.
- 1 Peter 2:13-14 (thematic): Peter likewise commands submission to human institutions and rulers; both passages appeal to Christian duty toward civil authority as part of faithful conduct.
- Titus 3:1 (thematic): Paul's later instruction to 'be subject to rulers and authorities' echoes the same moral requirement to obey civil authorities as part of sound teaching.
- Acts 24:16 (verbal): Paul's practice of keeping a 'conscience void of offence' parallels Romans 13:5's appeal to conscience as a motive for submission, not merely fear of punishment.
- Matthew 22:21 (thematic): Jesus' injunction to 'render unto Caesar' complements the New Testament theme that believers have obligations to secular authorities and should submit to civil requirements.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid wrath but also for conscience' sake.
- Therefore it is necessary to be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.
Rom.13.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- δια: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- γαρ: PART
- και: CONJ
- φορους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- τελειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- λειτουργοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- γαρ: PART
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- προσκαρτερουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Rom.13.1-4 (structural): Immediate literary context: the whole passage argues that governing authorities are instituted by God and serve as his ministers for good—vv.6 gives the specific implication (paying taxes).
- 1 Pet.2.13-14 (verbal): Explicitly exhorts submission to human authorities 'for the Lord’s sake' and explains rulers as 'sent by God'/'ministers of God' for the good of the people—close thematic and verbal resonance with Rom 13:6's designation of authorities as God's servants.
- Matt.22.21 (thematic): Jesus' famous ruling 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s' affirms the obligation to pay civil taxes to secular authorities, paralleling Paul's practical conclusion in Rom 13:6.
- Titus 3.1 (thematic): Paul's instruction to be subject to rulers and authorities and to be ready for every good deed complements Rom 13's teaching about cooperating with civil order (including tax obligations).
- Acts 5.29 (thematic): The apostles' declaration 'We must obey God rather than men' provides a limiting principle: while Rom 13 urges submission and tax payment because authorities are God’s ministers, Acts warns that obedience to human authorities is not absolute when it conflicts with God's commands.
Alternative generated candidates
- For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's servants, attending continually to this very thing.
- For for this reason you also pay taxes; for rulers are servants of God, continually attending to this very thing.
Rom.13.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αποδοτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- πασι: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- οφειλας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- φορον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- φορον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- τελος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- τελος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- φοβον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- φοβον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- τιμην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- τιμην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 22:21 (verbal): Jesus’ command to 'render to Caesar what is Caesar’s' parallels Paul’s injunction to repay what is owed (Greek imperatives and the principle of giving authorities their due).
- Mark 12:17 (verbal): Parallel synoptic form of the 'render to Caesar' saying; shares the same concern for obligations to human authorities as expressed in Romans 13:7.
- Luke 20:25 (verbal): Luke’s version of the 'give to Caesar' teaching—another close verbal/thematic parallel about meeting civic obligations and paying dues.
- 1 Peter 2:13–17 (thematic): Peter exhorts submission to rulers and specifies 'honor to whom honor, fear to whom fear,' echoing Romans’ call to give respect and honor to those owed it.
- Romans 13:1–6 (structural): Immediate context: Paul’s broader argument for submission to governing authorities, including reasons for paying taxes and respecting officials, of which v.7 is the practical summary.
Alternative generated candidates
- Render to all what is due: tax to whom tax is due, custom to whom custom, respect to whom respect, honor to whom honor.
- Render to all what is owed them: tax to whom tax is owed, custom to whom custom, respect to whom respect, honor to whom honor.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.
Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you desire to have no fear of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will receive praise from him;
for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an avenger to execute wrath on the evildoer.
Therefore it is necessary to be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.
For for this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, attending continually to this very thing.
Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.