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 rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for the sake of conscience. 6For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7Pay to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; 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

• Thereforeδιόdio · thereforeG1352
• it is necessaryἀνάγκηanagkē · necessityG318
• to be in subjectionὑποτάσσωhupotassō · to subjectG5293
• not onlyμόνονmonon · onlyG3440
• becauseδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• of wrathὀργήorgē · wrathG3709
• but alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• of conscienceσυνείδησιςsuneidēsis · conscienceG4893

Cross-references for Romans 13:5

• 1 Samuel 24:5But it came about afterward that David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the edge of Saul’s robe.
• Ecclesiastes 8:2I say, “Keep the command of the king because of the oath before God.
• 1 Peter 2:13Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
• Acts 24:16In view of this I also do my best to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before other people, always.
• Hebrews 13:18Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.
• 1 Peter 2:19For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person endures grief when suffering unjustly.
• 1 Peter 3:16and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will 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