Romans 13:7

Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul writes to believers in Rome, a city where the state's demands on its citizens were direct and visible. Verse 6 has just established that authorities act as God's servants, so verse 7 follows as the practical consequence.

The words — ἀποδοτέ (apodote), aorist imperative of "render," carries the force of a settled obligation, not a suggestion. ὀφειλάς (opheilas) means "dues" or "what is owed," the same root that verse 8 immediately redirects: "be indebted to no one, except…in love."

The thread — Jesus' "give to Caesar what is Caesar's" (Luke 20:25) and Proverbs 24:21's "fear the LORD and the king" frame the same principle from different angles. Matthew 17:24–27 shows the boundary: the obligation is real but not unlimited.

Why it lands — The verse names four concrete debts—taxes, revenue, respect, honor—leaving no room to treat civic duty as vague. The next verse then strips away every other debt except love, making the list a floor, not a ceiling.

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

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Cross-references

Luke 20:25 So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Proverbs 24:21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.
Matthew 17:25 “Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?”
1 Peter 2:17 Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
Matthew 22:21 “Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
1 Timothy 5:17 Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
Leviticus 19:3 Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must keep My Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 19:32 You are to rise in the presence of the elderly, honor the aged, and fear your God. I am the LORD.