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.

ROMANS 13:1KJV
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Romans 13:1 (KJV)

What does Romans 13:1 mean?

Romans 13:1 teaches that every person should respect and obey governing authorities, because all authority ultimately comes from God, and those in positions of power have been placed there by God’s arrangement. The verse emphasizes that no authority exists outside of what God allows or establishes.

Paul, writing to believers in Rome, addresses how Christians should relate to civil government. The context is the Roman Empire, where Christians were a minority and sometimes faced suspicion. Paul’s instruction here is practical, urging order and respect for government as part of living out faith in society, while also reminding readers that God is the ultimate source behind all earthly authority.

The Greek behind Romans 13:1

  • ψυχή (psychē, "soul"): This word is often understood as "person" or "individual life," so Paul is addressing every single person, not just a group or a certain class.
  • ὑποτασσέσθω (hypotassesthō, "be subject"): The Greek here carries the sense of willingly placing oneself under the authority or order of another, not just grudging obedience but a recognition of proper order.
  • ἐξουσία (exousia, "power" or "authority"): This word refers to those who have the right or capacity to rule, not just raw power but legitimate authority.
  • τεταγμέναι (tetagmenai, "ordained"): This word is related to arranging or appointing in an orderly way, suggesting that authorities are not there by accident but as part of a larger order God has set.

Why Romans 13:1 matters

  • Romans 13:1 clarifies that respect for government is not just a practical matter but is rooted in a theological understanding of God’s sovereignty over human affairs.
  • The verse helps prevent the misunderstanding that Christians are free to ignore or rebel against secular authorities simply because their ultimate loyalty is to God.
  • This teaching sets up the rest of Romans 13, where Paul explains the responsibilities of both rulers and those under authority, showing how faith shapes public and private life.

Where else these words appear

“higher” Greek G5242 · used in 5 verses

  • Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
  • Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
  • Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

“ordained” Greek G5021 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
  • Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
  • Acts 22:10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

“subject” Greek G5293 · used in 32 verses

  • Luke 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
  • Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

“but” Greek G1508 · used in 87 verses

  • Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
  • Romans 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.