Romans 13:1

KJV

¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let every {G3956} soul {G5590} be subject {G5293} unto the higher {G5242} powers {G1849}. For {G1063} there is {G2076} no {G3756} power {G1849} but {G1508} of {G575} God {G2316}:{G1161} the powers {G1849} that be {G5607} are {G1526} ordained {G5021} of {G5259} God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Everyone is to obey the governing authorities. For there is no authority that is not from God, and the existing authorities have been placed where they are by God.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 13:1 lays a foundational principle for Christian civic responsibility, asserting that all governmental authority originates from God and is divinely established. It calls every individual to submit to these "higher powers," recognizing that their existence and function are part of God's sovereign design for maintaining order and justice in the world. This verse serves as a crucial guide for believers navigating their allegiance to both earthly rulers and the ultimate authority of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 13:1 immediately follows Paul's extensive exhortations in [Romans 12](/romans/12 "Romans 12 - Living a Transformed Life") concerning the transformed life of a believer. Chapter 12 details how Christians are to live in spiritual worship, exercise their spiritual gifts, relate to fellow believers, and interact with those outside the church, including enemies. Paul transitions seamlessly from personal and ecclesial ethics to civic ethics, demonstrating that Christian discipleship encompasses all spheres of life. The instruction to submit to governing authorities is presented as a natural extension of living a life "transformed by the renewing of your mind" ([Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind")), emphasizing that even civic obedience is an act of worship and a demonstration of Christian character. This section then flows into further practical commands regarding taxes and love as the fulfillment of the law in [Romans 13:6-10](/romans/13-6-10 "Romans 13:6-10 - Love Fulfills the Law").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul wrote his letter to the Roman church around A.D. 57-58, during the reign of Emperor Nero. While Nero's early years were relatively stable, his rule later became notoriously tyrannical, marked by persecution of Christians (especially after the Great Fire of Rome in A.D. 64). The Jewish population in Rome had also experienced expulsions and re-admissions, creating a complex social and political environment. For Christians, who were a minority group with allegiance to a "King" other than Caesar, navigating the demands of the Roman Empire was fraught with tension. Caesar worship was prevalent, and refusal to participate could lead to severe consequences. In this context, Paul's instruction was radical: it called for submission to a pagan authority, not rebellion, grounding this obedience in God's ultimate sovereignty. This was particularly significant for a community that included both Jewish and Gentile believers, some of whom might have held revolutionary sentiments against Roman rule.

* **Key Themes:** Romans 13:1 contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader book of Romans and Pauline theology. Firstly, it underscores the **Sovereignty of God** over all creation, including human institutions. Even secular governments, regardless of their nature, function under God's ultimate authority. Secondly, it establishes the theme of **Christian Civic Responsibility**, outlining the believer's duty to be a law-abiding citizen. This is not merely pragmatic but theological, as submission to earthly authority is framed as submission to God's ordained order. Thirdly, it touches on the theme of **Order and Justice**, implying that God uses governmental structures, however imperfect, to restrain evil and maintain societal peace. This aligns with Paul's emphasis on living peaceably with all people, as exhorted in [Romans 12:18](/romans/12-18 "Romans 12:18 - Live Peaceably with All"). The passage also implicitly addresses the tension between divine and human authority, a theme explored throughout scripture, from [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Sets Up and Removes Kings") to Jesus' teaching on rendering to Caesar in [Matthew 22:21](/matthew/22-21 "Matthew 22:21 - Render to Caesar").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **soul (Greek, _psychḗ'_):** This term (G5590) refers to the breath of life, the animal sentient principle, and by implication, the whole person. Paul's use of "every soul" emphasizes the universal application of this command to every individual believer, encompassing their entire being and identity. It is not merely an external act of compliance but an internal disposition of the heart.
* **powers (Greek, _exousía'_):** This word (G1849) denotes authority, privilege, or delegated influence. Here, it specifically refers to those in positions of governmental or ruling authority. By using _exousía_, Paul highlights that these authorities possess legitimate, though delegated, power to govern, administer justice, and enforce laws.
* **ordained (Greek, _tássō'_):** The Greek word (G5021) in its perfect passive participle form (_tetagmenai_) means "having been appointed," "arranged," or "established." This emphasizes that God's act of establishing these authorities is complete and has lasting effects. It signifies a divine arrangement, not merely a passive allowance, but an active, purposeful appointment of governmental structures.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers."**: This opening imperative establishes a universal command for all believers ("every soul") to place themselves under the authority of those in governing positions ("higher powers"). The Greek word for "be subject" (_hypotássō_) implies a voluntary submission and obedience, not necessarily a blind or absolute surrender, but a recognition of legitimate authority. It sets the tone for Christian civic engagement.
* **"For there is no power but of God:"**: This clause provides the theological rationale for the preceding command. The conjunction "For" (_gar_) introduces the reason: the very existence of any governmental "power" (_exousía_) is ultimately derived from God. It asserts God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly dominion, meaning no authority exists independently of His will or permission.
* **"the powers that be are ordained of God."**: This final clause reinforces and clarifies the previous statement. It explicitly states that the existing authorities ("the powers that be") are not merely permitted by God but are actively "ordained" or appointed by Him. This underscores God's active role in establishing and arranging the structures of human governance, giving them their legitimacy and purpose within His divine plan.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 13:1 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The primary device is **Assertion**, where Paul makes direct, declarative statements about the divine origin of authority ("there is no power but of God"). This is coupled with **Didacticism**, as the verse functions as a clear instruction or teaching for believers regarding their civic duties ("Let every soul be subject"). The use of **Repetition** in the word "power" (_exousía_) three times within the short verse ("higher powers," "no power but of God," "the powers that be") serves to emphasize the central concept of authority and its divine source, driving home the theological argument. Finally, the verse is structured as a **Theological Argument**, presenting a command ("Let every soul be subject") followed by its divine justification ("For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God"), creating a logical and compelling basis for Christian obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 13:1 offers a profound theological framework for understanding the relationship between the divine and human governance. It asserts God's absolute sovereignty, declaring that all earthly authority, regardless of its form or the character of its leaders, ultimately derives its existence and legitimacy from Him. This means that government is not merely a human construct but a divine institution, established by God for the purpose of maintaining order, punishing evil, and promoting justice in a fallen world. While this does not imply divine approval of every action taken by every ruler, it grounds the Christian's general posture of submission in a recognition of God's overarching plan. This perspective elevates civic responsibility from a pragmatic necessity to a spiritual act of obedience to God's ordained order, fostering a disposition of respect for the rule of law.

* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons, and Sets Up Kings")
* [Matthew 22:21](/matthew/22-21 "Matthew 22:21 - Render to Caesar What Is Caesar's")
* [1 Peter 2:13-14](/1_peter/2-13-14 "1 Peter 2:13-14 - Submit to Human Authority for the Lord's Sake")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 13:1 calls believers to a profound and often challenging posture of submission to governing authorities. This is not a call to blind obedience, but a recognition that God, in His sovereign wisdom, has established governmental structures to maintain order and restrain chaos in a fallen world. For the Christian, submission to earthly powers becomes an act of reverence for God's divine order, a testimony to our trust in His ultimate control, and a demonstration of our commitment to living peaceably. In a world often marked by political division and dissatisfaction with leadership, this verse reminds us to pray for our leaders ([1 Timothy 2:1-2](/1_timothy/2-1-2 "1 Timothy 2:1-2 - Pray for All People, Especially Rulers")), to be exemplary citizens, to pay taxes, and to uphold the law, unless doing so would require direct disobedience to God's clear commands. It challenges us to consider how our civic engagement can reflect the values of the Kingdom of God, even as we navigate imperfect human systems. Ultimately, our primary allegiance is to Christ, and our submission to earthly authorities is always understood within the context of our higher calling to obey God rather than men when their commands conflict ([Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - We Must Obey God Rather Than Men")).

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's ordination of authority change your perspective on civil government, especially when you disagree with its policies or leaders?**
* **In what specific ways can you demonstrate "submission to the higher powers" in your daily life, beyond simply obeying laws?**
* **When might a Christian be justified in *not* submitting to a governmental authority, and how should such a decision be made?**
* **How does our civic responsibility, as outlined in Romans 13:1, contribute to our witness for Christ in the world?**

### FAQ
**Does Romans 13:1 mean Christians must obey *any* government, even tyrannical or unjust ones, without question?**

Answer: No, Romans 13:1 establishes a general principle of submission to governing authorities because their existence is divinely ordained for the purpose of maintaining order and justice. However, this submission is not absolute or unconditional. The Bible teaches that our ultimate allegiance is to God, and if a government commands something that directly contradicts God's moral law or requires us to betray our faith, then we "must obey God rather than men" ([Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - We Must Obey God Rather Than Men")). This principle of civil disobedience, when necessary, is rooted in a higher obedience to God, as seen in the examples of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ([Daniel 3](/daniel/3 "Daniel 3 - The Fiery Furnace") and [Daniel 6](/daniel/6 "Daniel 6 - Daniel in the Lions' Den")), and the apostles. The call is for general submission and respect, recognizing God's sovereignty, while maintaining a clear conscience before Him.

**What is the primary purpose of government according to Romans 13:1 and the surrounding verses?**

Answer: According to Romans 13:1-7, the primary purpose of government, as ordained by God, is to maintain order, punish evil, and commend those who do good. Paul describes rulers as "God's servants" ([Romans 13:4](/romans/13-4 "Romans 13:4 - Rulers as God's Servants")) who bear the sword to execute wrath on evildoers. They are instruments of God's justice, designed to prevent chaos and ensure a relatively peaceful society in which believers can live and worship freely ([1 Timothy 2:2](/1_timothy/2-2 "1 Timothy 2:2 - Pray for Kings and All in Authority")). This divine mandate provides the theological basis for Christian submission and cooperation with the state.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Romans 13:1 directly addresses the Christian's relationship with earthly civil authority, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the supreme example of submission to divine authority, humbling Himself even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Yet, paradoxically, He is also the one to whom "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). The "higher powers" of this world are temporary and fallible, but Christ's authority is eternal and perfect. His kingdom "is not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), yet He reigns over all earthly powers, both visible and invisible ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - All Things Created Through and For Christ")). Therefore, our submission to earthly authorities, as commanded in Romans 13:1, is not an end in itself, but an act of obedience to the one true King, Jesus Christ, who ultimately holds all power and will one day return as the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")). Our obedience to earthly rulers is thus a reflection of our greater allegiance to the one who truly ordains and sustains all authority.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Titus 3:1

¶ Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

1 Peter 2:13

¶ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

1 Peter 2:17

Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Daniel 2:21

And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

John 19:11

Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power [at all] against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Proverbs 8:15

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

Proverbs 8:16

By me princes rule, and nobles, [even] all the judges of the earth.