Romans 13:2
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
- KJV
- Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
- WEB
- Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.
- ASV
- Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.
- DARBY
- So that he that sets himself in opposition to the authority resists the ordinance of God; and they who [thus] resist shall bring sentence of guilt on themselves.
- BLB
- Therefore the one setting [himself] against the authority has resisted the ordinance of God, and those having resisted will receive judgment to themselves.
- ÅB
- Derfor står den som setter seg imot myndigheten, imot Guds ordning. Men de som gjør motstand, skal få sin dom.
- OTB
- Derfor, den som motsetter seg myndigheten, motsetter seg det Gud har innstiftet, og de som gjør det vil bringe dom over seg selv.
- B1930
- så at den som setter sig imot øvrigheten, står Guds ordning imot; men de som står imot, skal få sin dom.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
1 Peter 2:13
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Read in contextTitus 3:1
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
Read in contextJames 3:1
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Read in contextRomans 13:5
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Read in contextLuke 20:47
Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
Read in contextMark 12:40
Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
Read in contextMatthew 23:13
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Read in contextJeremiah 44:14–17
So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.
Read in context