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Romans 13:1

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Chapter 13

Submission to the Authorities

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Topics: God obedience government authority submission respect loyalty citizenship magistrates totalitarian christ_authority god_ordained

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Bev - (eBible Mentor) about 1 year ago.

We have to obey government, but we also have to defend the gospel. We obey the government as long as they dont ask us to reject God's commandments.

Laibcoms - (eBible Enthusiast) 10 months ago.

To add: there are 'corrupt' officials because the devil wants to have authority. God allows it because He has His purpose, which we do not understand unless God reveals it to us. Remember, our mind is not God's mind. Our thoughts are not His thoughts. He sees something we do not see. He knows something we do not know. Regardless of our officials being corrupt, as long as they do not go against God, we must obey them, like paying taxes and being subject to the courts. People power will always be against the constitution and against God.

casey4030 - (eBible Novice) about 1 year ago.

authority from God is the only authority there is