Romans 13:3

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Romans 13:1–5 · Berean Standard Bible

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

2 Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.

4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

5 Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.

Greek words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

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Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

Romans 13:4

For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

Deuteronomy 25:1

If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned.

Proverbs 14:35

A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.

Proverbs 20:2

The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.

Ecclesiastes 10:4

If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

Ecclesiastes 10:5

There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler:

Ecclesiastes 10:6

Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.

Jeremiah 22:15

Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him.

Jeremiah 22:16

He took up the cause of the poor and needy, and so it went well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 22:17

“But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”

Jeremiah 22:18

Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah: “They will not mourn for him: ‘Alas, my brother! Alas, my sister!’ They will not mourn for him: ‘Alas, my master! Alas, his splendor!’

1 Peter 2:13

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority,

1 Peter 2:14

or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

1 Peter 3:13

Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

1 Peter 3:14

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”