Romans 13:5

Romans 13:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
• New International Version (NIV)Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.

Context of Romans 13:5

3For [civil] authorities are not a source of fear for [people of] good behavior, but for [those who do] evil. Do you want to be unafraid of authority? Do what is good and you will receive approval and commendation. 4For he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, [you should] be afraid; for he does not carry the [executioner’s] sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an avenger who brings punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject [to civil authorities], not only to escape the punishment [that comes with wrongdoing], but also as a matter of principle [knowing what is right before God]. 6For this same reason you pay taxes, for civil authorities are God’s servants, devoting themselves to governance. 7Pay to all what is due: tax to whom tax is due, customs to whom customs, respect to whom respect, honor to whom honor.

Romans 13:5 word by word

διὸ ἀνάγκη ὑποτάσσεσθαι, οὐ μόνον διὰ τὴν ὀργὴν ἀλλὰ καὶ διὰ τὴν συνείδησιν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Whereforeδιόdio · thereforeG1352
• must needsἀνάγκηanagkē · necessityG318
• be subjectὑποτάσσωhupotassō · to subjectG5293
• notοὐou · noG3756
• onlyμόνονmonon · onlyG3440
• forδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• wrathὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• wrathὀργήorgē · wrathG3709
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• conscience sakeσυνείδησιςsuneidēsis · conscienceG4893

Cross-references for Romans 13:5

• 1 Samuel 24:5Afterward, David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the hem of Saul’s robe.
• Ecclesiastes 8:2I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him].
• 1 Peter 2:13Submit yourselves to [the authority of] every human institution for the sake of the Lord [to honor His name], whether it is to a king as one in a position of power,
• Acts 24:16In view of this, I also do my best and strive always to have a clear conscience before God and before men.
• Hebrews 13:18Keep praying for us, for we are convinced that we have a good conscience, seeking to conduct ourselves honorably [that is, with moral courage and personal integrity] in all things.
• 1 Peter 2:19For this finds favor, if a person endures the sorrow of suffering unjustly because of an awareness of [the will of] God.
• 1 Peter 3:16And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed [by their own words].

Commentaries on Romans 13:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5Ye must needs be subject - , There is a necessity that ye should be subject, not only for wrath, , on account of the punishment which will be inflicted on evil doers, but also for conscience' sake; not only to avoid punishment, but also to preserve a clear conscience. For, as civil government is established in the order of God for the support, defense, and happiness of society, they who transgress its laws, not only expose themselves to the penalties…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5Wherefore - ́ dioThe “reasons” why we should be subject, which the apostle had given, were two, (1)That government was appointed by God. (2)that violation of the laws would necessarily expose to punishment. Ye must needs be - It is “necessary” ̓́ anagkēto be. This is a word stronger than what implies mere “fitness” or propriety. It means that it is a matter of high obligation and of “necessity” to be subject to the civil ruler. Not only for wrath - Not…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5These two reasons for submission summarize 13:1–4. in reverse order. The reason to avoid punishment connects to 13:3–4. The matter of conscience connects to 13:1–2. The word conscience (Greek suneidēsis) refers here to the painful awareness of doing wrong. Christians know that they have a duty to submit to governing authorities. If they fail to do so, they would experience the pain of a guilty conscience.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath--for fear of the magistrate's vengeance. but also for conscience' sake--from reverence for God's authority. It is of Magistracy in general, considered as a divine ordinance, that this is spoken: and the statement applies equally to all forms of government, from an unchecked despotism--such as flourished when this was written, under the Emperor Nero--to a pure democracy. The inalienable right of all…Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 13:5

• Citizens
• Government
• Integrity
• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• Chamber
• Chambering
• Comprehend
• Custom
• Fear
• Near
• Owe
• Sword
• Taxes
• Terror

Commentaries on Romans 13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings