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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While it's easy to read this as a command to obey any ruler, the verse grounds authority in God's ordination. This means that governing powers, in their very essence and purpose, reflect God's design for order and good, not just the will of the individual in charge. Therefore, submission is primarily to the institution of God-ordained authority, rather than blindly to every person who happens to hold power.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Paul moves from personal and communal conduct to how Christians should engage with society, he addresses the crucial and potentially contentious topic of civil government. This teaching is especially relevant to the Roman Christians, many of whom were Jewish and may have harbored resentment towards Roman rule, or Gentile converts who might have rejected all secular authority as pagan. Paul aims to clarify that allegiance to Christ doesn't exempt believers from their civic responsibilities, even under imperfect or even oppressive rulers, establishing that all governing authority, in principle, originates from God.
Ever wondered who's really in charge? This verse gives a surprising answer about the source of all governmental power.
Paul starts Romans 13 by declaring, 'For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.' This is a foundational statement, meaning that God is the ultimate source of all legitimate governing authority. It's not that God approves of every ruler or every law, but that the very institution of government, the concept of authority itself, stems from Him. Even rulers who seem far from God are, in a sense, allowed to exist and function within His sovereign plan. Think of it like a storm: God doesn't cause the wickedness in a storm, but He sovereignly permits it and can use it for His purposes.
Why does God allow imperfect governments? This verse hints at a divine purpose behind human rule.
While the verse doesn't explicitly detail the purpose of government, the context of Romans 13 and other Scriptures makes it clear. Governing authorities are instituted by God to maintain order and to punish wrongdoing. Think of them as God's 'agents' (as Paul explains later in Romans 13:4) to restrain evil and promote good. This doesn't mean every leader perfectly fulfills this role, but the institution of government itself is designed for societal well-being. It's a crucial part of God's plan for a fallen world, preventing complete chaos and allowing for human flourishing within certain boundaries.
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Understand the original words
hypotassesthai · Greek Verb
To yield, rank under, or be subordinate to another in a position of authority or status. It implies an attitude of cooperation and obedience within a structured order.
exousiais · Greek Noun
A legitimate right to exercise control, power, or influence. In a biblical context, all true authority is delegated by God to maintain order and justice in the created world.
tetagmenai · Greek Verb/Participle
To be placed, arranged, or ordained in a specific order or position. It signifies God’s sovereign orchestration of structures, offices, or roles.
Paul's instruction for Christians to submit to governing authorities in Romans 13:1 was written during a time of intense political and social tension within the Roman Empire. The early Christians, often viewed with suspicion and later persecuted, needed clear guidance on their relationship with a government that was not only pagan but could also be oppressive.
c. 46 AD
Claudius Expels Jews from Rome
Emperor Claudius orders the expulsion of Jews from Rome due to disturbances, likely related to disputes over 'Chrestus' (possibly Christ). This event would have impacted Jewish Christians in Rome, potentially causing confusion about their allegiance to Roman authorities.
c. 50-55 AD— this verse
Paul Writes to the Romans
Paul, likely while in Corinth, writes his Epistle to the Romans. He addresses the complex relationship between Christians and the ruling Roman authorities, a particularly sensitive issue for the mixed community of Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome.
c. 60-64 AD
Nero's Reign
Paul's letter is written during the early to middle part of Nero's reign. While widespread persecution of Christians had not yet begun, Nero's rule would later become notoriously tyrannical, eventually leading to severe persecution.
c. 64 AD
Great Fire of Rome
The Great Fire of Rome devastates the city. Nero blames the Christians, initiating the first major state-sponsored persecution against them. This event highlights the potential for extreme conflict between the Roman state and the early Church.
Peter echoes Paul's instruction, emphasizing submission to governing authorities as a way to silence ignorant talk and honor God, reinforcing the idea that these powers are divinely permitted or instituted.
Matthew 22:21Jesus' response, 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's,' provides a foundational principle for navigating obedience to earthly authorities while maintaining allegiance to God.
Daniel 2:21This Old Testament passage highlights God's sovereignty over human affairs, stating that 'He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings,' underscoring the theological basis for Romans 13:1.
Acts 5:29Peter and the apostles declared, 'We must obey God rather than men,' establishing a crucial caveat to submission to governing authorities when their demands conflict with divine commands.
1 Timothy 2:1-2Paul instructs that prayers should be made for kings and all who are in high positions, demonstrating a positive and supportive stance toward governing authorities as part of God's intended order for society.
vincentRomans 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."
Every soulEvery man. See on Romans 11:3.Higher powers (ἐξουσίαις ὑπερεχούσαις)Lit., authorities which have themselves over. See on Mark 2:10; see on John 1:12.The powers that be (αἱ δὲ οὖσαι)Lit., the existing. Powers is not in the text, and is supplied from the preceding clause.Are ordained (τεταγμέναι εἰσίν)Perfect tense: Have been ordained, and…
pulpitRomans 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."
Verses 1-8. - From admonitions to keep peace, if possible, with all men, whether or not within the Christian circle, and to act honourably and benevolently towards all, the apostle now passes to the duty of Christians towards the civil government and the laws of the country in which they lived. It is well known that the Jews were impatient of the Roman domin…
While it's easy to read this as a command to obey any ruler, the verse grounds authority in God's ordination. This means that governing powers, in their very essence and purpose, reflect God's design for order and good, not just the will of the individual in charge. Therefore, submission is primarily to the institution of God-ordained authority, rather than blindly to every person who happens to hold power.
As Paul moves from personal and communal conduct to how Christians should engage with society, he addresses the crucial and potentially contentious topic of civil government. This teaching is especially relevant to the Roman Christians, many of whom were Jewish and may have harbored resentment towards Roman rule, or Gentile converts who might have rejected all secular authority as pagan. Paul aims to clarify that allegiance to Christ doesn't exempt believers from their civic responsibilities, even under imperfect or even oppressive rulers, establishing that all governing authority, in principle, originates from God.
As Paul moves from personal and communal conduct to how Christians should engage with society, he addresses the crucial and potentially contentious topic of civil government. This teaching is especially relevant to the Roman Christians, many of whom were Jewish and may have harbored resentment towards Roman rule, or Gentile converts who might have rejected all secular authority as pagan. Paul aims to clarify that allegiance to Christ doesn't exempt believers from their civic responsibilities, even under imperfect or even oppressive rulers, establishing that all governing authority, in principle, originates 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." — While it's easy to read this as a command to obey any ruler, the verse grounds authority in God's ordination. This means that governing powers, in their very essence and purpose, reflect God's design…
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Last reviewed October 2026