1Let 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. (Da 2:21; Joh 19:11; Tit 3:1; 1Pe 2:13)2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, (1Pe 2:14)4for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. (2Ch 19:6; 1Th 4:6)5Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. (Ec 8:2; 1Pe 2:19)6For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.7Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. (Mt 17:25; Mt 22:21; Mr 12:17)
Fulfilling the Law Through Love
8Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. (Le 19:13; Pr 3:27; Mt 22:40; Joh 13:34; Ro 13:10; Col 3:14)9For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Ex 20:13; Le 19:18; De 5:17; Mt 19:18)10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Joh 14:15; Ro 13:8)11Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. (Isa 56:1; Lu 21:28; 1Co 15:34; Eph 5:14; 1Th 5:6)12The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Joh 3:20; Joh 9:4; 2Co 6:7; Eph 5:11; Eph 6:11; Eph 6:13; Col 3:8; 1Th 5:8)13Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. (Lu 21:34; Ga 5:21; 1Th 4:12; Jas 3:14; Jas 3:16; 1Pe 4:3)14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Job 29:14; Ps 132:9; Lu 24:49; Ga 3:27; Ga 5:16; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10; 1Pe 2:11)
Romans 13
King James Version
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.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.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.