Romans 13:2

Romans 13:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
• New International Version (NIV)Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Context of Romans 13:2

1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment 3(for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation, 4for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God’s servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer.

Romans 13:2 word by word

ὥστε ὁ ἀντιτασσόμενος τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ τῇ τοῦ θεοῦ διαταγῇ ἀνθέστηκεν· οἱ δὲ ἀνθεστηκότες ἑαυτοῖς κρίμα λήμψονται.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Whosoeverἀντιτάσσωantitassomai · to resistG498
• thereforeὥστεhōste · soG5620
• the powerἐξουσίαexousia · authorityG1849
• resistethἀνθίστημιanthistēmi · to opposeG436
• the ordinanceδιαταγήdiatagē · ordinanceG1296
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• andδέde · thenG1161
• shall receiveλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• to themselvesἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• damnationκρίμαkrima · judgmentG2917

Cross-references for Romans 13:2

• Jeremiah 23:8But at that time they will affirm them with “I swear as surely as the Lord lives who delivered the descendants of the former nation of Israel from the land of the north and from all the other lands where he had banished them.” At that time they will live in their own land.’”
• Jeremiah 44:14None of the Judean remnant who have come to live in the land of Egypt will escape or survive to return to the land of Judah. Though they long to return and live there, none of them shall return except a few fugitives.’”
• Isaiah 58:2They seek me day after day; they want to know my requirements, like a nation that does what is right and does not reject the law of their God. They ask me for just decrees; they want to be near God.
• 1 Peter 2:13Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme
• Romans 13:5Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience.
• Mark 12:40They devour widows’ property, and as a show make long prayers. These men will receive a more severe punishment.”
• Luke 20:47They devour widows’ property, and as a show make long prayers. They will receive a more severe punishment.”
• James 3:1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly.

Commentaries on Romans 13:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Whosoever resisteth the power - ̔ , He who sets himself in order against this order of God; ͅ ͅ, and they who resist, ̔ , they who obstinately, and for no right reason, oppose the ruler, and strive to unsettle the constitution, and to bring about illegal changes, Shall receive to themselves damnation - , condemnation; shall be condemned both by the spirit and letter of that constitution, which, under pretense of defending or improving, they are indirectly…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth … - That is, they who rise up against “government itself;” who seek anarchy and confusion; and who oppose the regular execution of the laws. It is implied, however, that those laws shall not be such as to violate the rights of conscience, or oppose the laws of God. Resisteth the ordinance of God - What God has ordained, or appointed. This means clearly that we are to regard “government” as instituted by God, and as agreeable…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-2The main command in 13:1–7 is to submit to governing authorities. In God’s ordering of the world, people are accountable to those who hold positions of authority. This submission usually takes the form of obedience. However, God stands above all governments. For this reason, submission to governing authorities is always shaped by our ultimate obedience to God (see Acts 4:19–20). Some Christians in Rome may have been resisting the government. They may have…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-141-2. Let every soul--every man of you be subject unto the higher powers--or, "submit himself to the authorities that are above him." For there is no power--"no authority" but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God--"have been ordained of God."Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 13:2

• Citizens
• Government
• Ordinance
• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Chamber
• Chambering
• Comprehend
• Custom
• Damnation
• Fear
• Near
• Owe

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