Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word

Romans 13:1

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.

KJV

Πᾶσα ψυχὴ ἐξουσίαις ὑπερεχούσαις ὑποτασσέσθω. οὐ γὰρ ἔστιν ἐξουσία εἰ μὴ ὑπὸ θεοῦ, αἱ δὲ οὖσαι ὑπὸ θεοῦ τεταγμέναι εἰσίν·

Greek NT

Omnis anima potestatibus sublimioribus subdita sit : non est enim potestas nisi a Deo : quæ autem sunt, a Deo ordinatæ sunt.

Vulgate

Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God.

ASV

Let every soul be subject to higher powers. For there is no power but from God: and those that are ordained of God.

Douay-Rheims

Open in reader with connections →

In the original Greek

15 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.

γάρ
gar
conjunction · 1036×
δέ
de
conjunction · 2781×
εἰ
ei
conditional · 491×
εἰμί
eimi
verb · 2461×
θεός
theos
noun · 1311×
μή
me
particle · 1033×
οὐ
ou
particle · 1626×
πᾶς
pas
adjective · 1226×
τάσσω
tasso
verb · 9×
ψυχή
psuche
noun · 102×
ἐξουσία
exousia
noun · 102×
ὁ
o
article · 19778×
ὑπερέχω
uperecho
verb · 5×
ὑποτάσσω
upotasso
verb · 38×
ὑπό
upo
preposition · 221×

Textual variants

2 variant units attested by manuscript witnesses and modern critical editions.

notable
SBLGNT: οὖσαι | WH/Treg/NIV: οὖσαι | RP: + ἐξουσίαι
  • οὖσαι — SBLGNT
  • οὖσαι — Westcott-Hort, Tregelles, Reader's GNT (NA27)
  • + ἐξουσίαι — Robinson-Pierpont
source: sblgnt-apparatus
notable
SBLGNT: ὑπὸ | WH/Treg/NIV: ὑπὸ | RP: + τοῦ
  • ὑπὸ — SBLGNT
  • ὑπὸ — Westcott-Hort, Tregelles, Reader's GNT (NA27)
  • + τοῦ — Robinson-Pierpont
source: sblgnt-apparatus

Themes

Doctrines that cite this verse

Historic Christian voices

22 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

§1899The authority required by the moral order derives from God: "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."17
§2238Those subject to authority should regard those in authority as representatives of God, who has made them stewards of his gifts:43 "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution.... Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God."44 Their loyal collaboration includes the right, and at times the duty, to voice their…
The prophets were sent from one and the same Father from whom the Son was sent. 1. Which [God] the Lord does not reject, nor does He say that the prophets [spoke] from another god than His Father; nor from any other essence, but from one and the same Father; nor that any other being made the things in the world, except His own Father, when He speaks as follows in His teaching: …
Of the constant falsehood of the devil, and of the powers and governments of the world, which we ought to obey, inasmuch as they are appointed of God, not of the devil. 1. As therefore the devil lied at the beginning, so did he also in the end, when he said, All these are delivered unto me, and to whomsoever I will I give them. Matthew 4:9; Luke 4:6 For it is not he who has app…
1. A great matter, beloved, a great matter it is to preside over a Church: a matter needing wisdom and courage as great as that of which Christ speaks, that a man should lay down his life for the sheep, and never leave them deserted or naked; that he should stand against the wolf nobly. For in this the shepherd differs from the hireling; the one always looks to his own safety, …
Source. Translated by J. Walker, J. Sheppard and H. Browne, and revised by George B. Stevens. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 11. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210223.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Adven…
Source. Translated by J. Walker, J. Sheppard and H. Browne, and revised by George B. Stevens. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 11. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210224.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Adven…
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. Calvin expounds the Christian's duty to civil government. The magistrate is God's minister — civil authority is ordained by God, and resistance to it is resistance to the ordinance of God. Yet Calvin carefully limits this: the magistrate's authority is not absolute but delegated, and obedience to God takes precedence. Love is th…
Chapter 1 Having, in the three preceding books, fully stated what occurred to us by way of answer to the treatise of Celsus, we now, reverend Ambrosius, with prayer to God through Christ, offer this fourth book as a reply to what follows. And we pray that words may be given us, as it is written in the book of Jeremiah that the Lord said to the prophet: Behold, I have put My wor…
Summa Theologica · 4 passages
Is providence suitably assigned to God? Does everything come under divine providence? Is divine providence immediately concerned with all things? Does divine providence impose any necessity upon things foreseen? Article 1. Whether providence can suitably be attributed to God? Objection 1. It seems that providence is not becoming to God. For providence, according to Tully (De In…
What is the eternal law? Is it known to all? Is every law is derived from it? Are necessary things subject to the eternal law? Are natural contingencies subject to the eternal law? Are all human things subject to it? Article 1. Whether the eternal law is a sovereign type [ratio] existing in God? Objection 1. It would seem that the eternal law is not a sovereign type existing in…
Is grace fittingly divided into gratuitous grace and sanctifying grace? The division into operating and cooperating grace The division of it into prevenient and subsequent grace The division of gratuitous grace The comparison between sanctifying and gratuitous grace Article 1. Whether grace is fittingly divided into sanctifying grace and gratuitous grace? Objection 1. It would …
…and 1 more from this source.
The spiritual power, so called, has no foundation for its pomp in the teaching of Christ. The temporal power is confirmed by the teaching and action of Christ. All that the spiritual so-called state claims to have of power and protection belongs to the temporal, if they wish to be Christians.
Q. What is God's will for you in the fifth commandment? A. That I honor, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and all those in authority over me; that I obey and submit to them, as is proper, when they correct and punish me; and also that I be patient with their failings — for through them God chooses to rule us.
We believe that because of the depravity of the human race, our good God has ordained kings, princes, and civil officers. God wants the world to be governed by laws and policies so that human lawlessness may be restrained and that everything may be conducted in good order among human beings. For that purpose God has placed the sword in the hands of the government, to punish evi…
The magistracy of every nation is instituted by God himself, for the peace and tranquillity of his people, and thus it should be held in the highest honor. If the magistrate is opposed to the Church, he can hinder and disturb it very much; but if he is a friend and member of the Church, he is a most useful and excellent member thereof, and is able to benefit it very much. The d…
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.

Cross-references

  • 1Chr 28:4 — Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father;
  • 1Chr 29:23 — Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.
  • 1Pet 2:13 — Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
  • 1Pet 2:13 — Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
  • 1Sam 2:8 — He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’
  • 1Sam 12:3 — Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have
  • 1Tim 2:2 — For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
  • 2Pet 2:10 — But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
  • Acts 27:37 — And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
  • Dan 2:21 — And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
  • Dan 4:32 — And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the mo
  • Dan 5:18 — O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:
  • Deut 16:18 — Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
  • Eccl 8:2 — I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
  • Eccl 8:4 — Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
  • Eph 5:21 — Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
  • Eph 5:21 — Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
  • Jer 27:5 — I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.
  • Jer 29:7 — And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
  • Job 36:22 — Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?
  • John 10:33 — The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
  • John 10:35 — If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
  • John 19:11 — Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
  • John 19:11 — Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
  • Josh 1:16 — And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.
  • Jude 1:8 — Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
  • Matt 23:3 — All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
  • Prov 8:15 — By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
  • Prov 8:15 — By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
  • Prov 24:21 — My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
  • Ps 62:11 — God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
  • Ps 101:6 — Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
  • Rev 1:5 — And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
  • Rev 19:16 — And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
  • Titus 3:1 — Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
  • Titus 3:1 — Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,