Bible Strands
Romans 13:2
Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Roman church regarding civil governance. He issues this instruction immediately after commanding submission to governing authorities in the preceding verse.
The words — ἀντιτασσόμενος (antitassomenos) translates to resisting, and ἐξουσίᾳ (exousia) translates to authority. The text states that whoever resists these authorities opposes what God has set in place.
The thread — This instruction aligns with 1 Peter 2:13 and Titus 3:1 regarding submission to human institutions. Romans 13:5 reinforces the necessity of submitting to authority to avoid punishment and satisfy conscience.
Why it lands — The text states that resisting authority invites self-imposed judgment. It requires the reader to acknowledge divine oversight over governance and submit accordingly.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority,
- Titus 3:1 Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,
- Romans 13:5 Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.
- James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
- Mark 12:40 They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”
- Luke 20:47 They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”
- Matthew 23:13 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.
- Jeremiah 23:8 Instead they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought and led the descendants of the house of Israel up out of the land of the north and all the other lands to which He had banished them.’ Then they will dwell once more in their own land.”
- Jeremiah 44:14 so that none of the remnant of Judah who have gone to reside in Egypt will escape or survive to return to the land of Judah, where they long to return and live; for none will return except a few fugitives.”
- Isaiah 58:2 For day after day they seek Me and delight to know My ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not forsake the justice of their God. They ask Me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God.”