Romans 13:2

Verse

Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

American Standard Version (1901)

Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.

Bible in Basic English

For which reason everyone who puts himself against the authority puts himself against the order of God: and those who are against it will get punishment for themselves.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, purchase to themselves damnation.

Free Bible Version

Whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has put in place, and those who do so shall find themselves judged accordingly.

Geneva Bible 1599

Whosoeuer therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist, shall receiue to themselues condemnation.

King James (Authorized) Version

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Translation for Translators

So whoever resists the officials is resisting what God has established. Furthermore, those who resist officials will bring on themselves from the officials the punishment that God considers fitting.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Therefore he who resists that authority opposes the command of God; and those who oppose it will receive judgment on themselves.

Noah Webster Bible

Whoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

World English Bible

Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.

Young's Literal Translation

so that he who is setting himself against the authority, against God's ordinance hath resisted; and those resisting, to themselves shall receive judgment.

Context

Submission to Authorities

¹Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.²Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Summary

Romans 13:2 emphasizes the importance of submitting to governing authorities, highlighting that those who resist such authorities are ultimately resisting God's appointed order. This verse underscores the principle of respect for authority and the need to abide by the laws of the land. By obeying earthly authorities, believers demonstrate their obedience to God and contribute to maintaining order and peace in society. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical theme of honoring authority while also recognizing God's ultimate sovereignty over all things.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Whosoever resisteth the power - Ὁ αντιτασσομενος, He who sets himself in order against this order of God; τῃ του Θεου διαταγῃ, and they who resist, οἱ ανθεστηκοτες, they who obstinately, and for no right reason, oppose the ruler, and strive to unsettle the constitution, and to bring about illegal changes, Shall receive to themselves damnation - Κριμα, condemnation; shall be condemned both by the spirit and letter of that constitution, which, under pretense of defending or improving, they are indirectly labouring to subvert.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,.... The office of magistracy, and such as are lawfully placed in it, and rightly exercise it; who denies that there is, or ought to be any such order among men, despises it, and opposes it, and withdraws himself from it, and will not be subject to it in any form: resisteth the ordinance of God, the will and appointment of God, whose pleasure it is that there should be such an office, and that men should be subject to it. This is not to be understood, as if magistrates were above the laws, and had a lawless power to do as they will without opposition; for they are under the law, and liable to the penalty of it, in case of disobedience, as others; and when they make their own will a law, or exercise a lawless tyrannical power, in defiance of the laws of God, and of the land, to the endangering of the lives, liberties, and properties of subjects, they may be resisted, as Saul was by the people of Israel, when he would have took away the life of Jonathan for the breach of an arbitrary law of his own, and that too without the knowledge of it, Sa1 14:45; but the apostle is speaking of resisting magistrates in the right discharge of their office, and in the exercise of legal power and authority: and they that resist them, in this sense, shall receive to themselves damnation; that is, punishment; either temporal, and that either by the hand of the magistrate himself, who has it in his power to punish mutiny, sedition, and insurrection, and any opposition to him in the just discharge of his duty; or at the hand of God, in righteous judgment, for their disobedience to an ordinance of his; as in the case of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who opposed themselves both to the civil and sacred government of the people of Israel, Num 26:9; and were swallowed up alive in the earth, Num 26:10, or eternal punishment, unless the grace of God prevents; for "the blackness of darkness is reserved for ever", Jde 1:13, for such persons, who, among other of their characters, are said to "despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities", Jde 1:8. This is another argument persuading to subjection to magistrates.

Romans 13:2

Submission to Authorities

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

American Standard Version (1901)

Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.

Bible in Basic English

For which reason everyone who puts himself against the authority puts himself against the order of God: and those who are against it will get punishment for themselves.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, purchase to themselves damnation.

Free Bible Version

Whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has put in place, and those who do so shall find themselves judged accordingly.

Geneva Bible 1599

Whosoeuer therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist, shall receiue to themselues condemnation.

King James (Authorized) Version

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Translation for Translators

So whoever resists the officials is resisting what God has established. Furthermore, those who resist officials will bring on themselves from the officials the punishment that God considers fitting.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Therefore he who resists that authority opposes the command of God; and those who oppose it will receive judgment on themselves.

Noah Webster Bible

Whoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

World English Bible

Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.

Young's Literal Translation

so that he who is setting himself against the authority, against God's ordinance hath resisted; and those resisting, to themselves shall receive judgment.

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Romans 13:2

Verse

Context

Submission to Authorities

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Romans 13:2

Submission to Authorities

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary