Romans 13
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourced"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers," for "the powers that be are ordained of God," and the ruler "is the minister of God to thee for good," so "pay ye tribute also" and "Render therefore to all their dues." "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another," for the commandments are summed up in "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," and "love is the fulfilling of the law." "Now it is high time to awake out of sleep," Paul writes, so "let us put on the armour of light," and "put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh." Romans 13:1Romans 13:4Romans 13:6Romans 13:7Romans 13:8Romans 13:9Romans 13:10Romans 13:11Romans 13:12Romans 13:14
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
Paul, writing to the believers about "the higher powers" and their neighbours. Romans 13:1Romans 13:9Romans overview
Where
Paul writes to the believers at Rome, the capital of the empire, traditionally from Corinth. Romans overview
When
"Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." Traditionally about AD 56-57, near the end of Paul's third journey, as he prepared to take the collection to Jerusalem. Scholars agree Paul wrote it and generally date it about AD 55-58. Romans 13:11Romans overview
How it fits
Chapter 12 ended "overcome evil with good." Chapter 14 turns to differences among believers: "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations." Romans 12:21Romans 13:10Romans 14:1
Key verses
- Verse 1
"There is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." Jesus said, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21), and 1 Peter 2:13 says, "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake." Romans 13:1Matthew 22:211 Peter 2:13
- Verse 8
"Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." Romans 13:8Romans 13:10
- Verse 14
"Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." Romans 13:14
Takeaway
Respect those in authority, pay what you owe, love your neighbour, and wake up, for salvation is nearer than when you believed. Romans 13:1Romans 13:7Romans 13:8Romans 13:11
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-11-01.
Subject to the higher powers
1Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For 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: 4For 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. 5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Love fulfils the law
8Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ
11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.