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 the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. 6Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

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 24:5But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe.
• Ecclesiastes 8:2Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would.
• 1 Peter 2:13For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state,
• Acts 24:16Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.
• Hebrews 13:18Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.
• 1 Peter 2:19For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment.
• 1 Peter 3:16But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to 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

• 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