Darby Bible
Romans 13:5
5Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only on account of wrath, but also on account of conscience.
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 rulers are not a terror to a good work, but to an evil [one]. Dost thou desire then not to be afraid of the authority? practise [what is] good, and thou shalt have praise from it; 4for it is God's minister to thee for good. But if thou practisest evil, fear; for it bears not the sword in vain; for it is God's minister, an avenger for wrath to him that does evil. Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only on account of wrath, but also on account of conscience. 6For on this account ye pay tribute also; for they are God's officers, attending continually on this very thing. 7Render to all their dues: to whom tribute [is due], tribute; to whom custom, custom; to whom fear, fear; to whom honour, honour.
Read all of Romans 13Romans 13:5 word by word
διὸ ἀνάγκη ὑποτάσσεσθαι, οὐ μόνον διὰ τὴν ὀργὴν ἀλλὰ καὶ διὰ τὴν συνείδησιν.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Romans 13:5
- 1 Samuel 24:5And it came to pass afterwards that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
- Ecclesiastes 8:2I [say], Keep the king's commandment, and [that] on account of the oath of God.
- 1 Peter 2:13Be in subjection [therefore] to every human institution for the Lord's sake; whether to [the] king as supreme,
- Acts 24:16For this cause I also exercise [myself] to have in everything a conscience without offence towards God and men.
- Hebrews 13:18Pray for us: for we persuade ourselves that we have a good conscience, in all things desirous to walk rightly.
- 1 Peter 2:19For this [is] acceptable, if one, for conscience sake towards God, endure griefs, suffering unjustly.
- 1 Peter 3:16having a good conscience, that [as to that] in which they speak against you as evildoers, they may be ashamed who calumniate your good conversation in Christ.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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