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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.
• New Living Translation (NLT)So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

Context of Romans 13:5

3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

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 24:5And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe.
• Ecclesiastes 8:2I say: Keep the king's command, because of God's oath to him.
• 1 Peter 2:13Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
• Acts 24:16So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
• Hebrews 13:18Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
• 1 Peter 2:19For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
• 1 Peter 3:16having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

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