Romans 13:5

New Living Translation

So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
So you must obey the government, not just because you might be punished, but because you know it is the right thing to do.

Revised Standard Version
Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Wherfore ye must nedes obeye not for feare of vengeaunce only: but also because of conscience.

Hebrew Names Version
Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

International Standard Version
Therefore, it is necessary for you to be subject, not only because of God'sGod's">[fn] wrath but also because of your own conscience.Ecclesiastes 8:2; 1 Peter 2:19;">[xr]

New American Standard Bible
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for the sake of conscience.

New Century Version
So you must yield to the government, not only because you might be punished, but because you know it is right.

Update Bible Version
Therefore [you] must surely be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

English Standard Version
Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

World English Bible
Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Weymouth's New Testament
We must obey therefore, not only in order to escape punishment, but also for conscience' sake.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And therfor bi nede be ye suget, not oneli for wraththe, but also for conscience.

English Revised Version
Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore, it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.

Contemporary English Version
But you should obey the rulers because you know it is the right thing to do, and not just because of God's anger.

Amplified Bible
Therefore one must be subject [to civil authorities], not only to escape the punishment [that comes with wrongdoing], but also as a matter of principle [knowing what is right before God].

American Standard Version
Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

Bible in Basic English
So put yourselves under the authority, not for fear of wrath, but because you have the knowledge of what is right.

Complete Jewish Bible
Another reason to obey, besides fear of punishment, is for the sake of conscience.

Darby Translation
Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only on account of wrath, but also on account of conscience.

Etheridge Translation
And because of this are we bound to be subject, not for the wrath only, but also because of conscience.

Murdock Translation
And therefore, it is necessary for us to be obedient, not only on account of wrath, but likewise on account of our consciences.

King James Version (1611)
Wherfore ye must needs be subiect, not onely for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

New Life Bible
You must obey the leaders of the land, not only to keep from God's anger, but so your own heart will have peace.

New Revised Standard
Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Wherefore ye must bee subiect, not because of wrath only, but also for conscience sake.

George Lamsa Translation
Wherefore, we must be obedient, not only in fear of wrath, but also for our conscience sake.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, - not only because of the anger, but also because of the conscience;

Douay-Rheims Bible
Wherefore be subject of necessity: not only for wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Wherfore, ye must needes be subiect, not only for feare of punishment: but also because of conscience.

Good News Translation
For this reason you must obey the authorities—not just because of God's punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.

Christian Standard Bible®
Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience.

King James Version
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Lexham English Bible
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience.

Literal Translation
Because of this, it is necessary to be subject, not only on account of wrath, but also on account of conscience.

Young's Literal Translation
Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only because of the wrath, but also because of the conscience,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Wherfore ye must nedes obeye, not onely for punyshmet, but also because of conscience.

Mace New Testament (1729)
wherefore you ought to submit not only from an apprehension of punishment, but

THE MESSAGE
To Be a Responsible Citizen Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it's God's order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you're irresponsible to the state, then you're irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you're trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear. Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you'll get on just fine, the government working to your advantage. But if you're breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren't there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. That's why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it's the right way to live.

New English Translation
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience.

New King James Version
Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Let go of your pride and do your job, not just to keep your butt out of trouble, but also so you can lay your head down at night with a clear conscience.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of that wrath, but also because of conscience.

Contextual Overview

¹ Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. ² So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. ³ For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. ⁴ The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. ⁵ So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. ⁶ Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

ye: 1 Samuel 24:5, 1 Samuel 24:6, Ecclesiastes 8:2, Titus 3:1, Titus 3:2, 1 Peter 2:13-15

conscience: Acts 24:16, Hebrews 13:18, 1 Peter 2:19, 1 Peter 3:16

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 2:43 - commandment Ecclesiastes 8:5 - keepeth Jeremiah 29:7 - seek Romans 13:2 - receive 1 Corinthians 10:25 - for Ephesians 1:23 - his

Cross-References

Genesis 4:20
Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the first of those who raise livestock and live in tents.

Genesis 25:27
As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home.

Jeremiah 49:29
Their flocks and tents will be captured, and their household goods and camels will be taken away. Everywhere shouts of panic will be heard: ‘We are terrorized at every turn!'

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Wherefore ye must needs be subject,.... To the higher powers, to the civil magistrates; there is a necessity of it, because magistracy is God's ordinance, it is for the good of men; and such that oppose it will severely smart for it: but subjection to it from Christians should be,

not only for wrath; through fear of punishment, and for the sake of escaping it; either the wrath of men or of God, in this or the other world:

but also for conscience sake: to keep conscience clear, to exercise a good one void of offence towards God and men; for natural reason, conscience itself, dictates that there ought to be such order among men, that civil government should take place, and ought to be submitted to.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Wherefore - διό dio. The “reasons” why we should be subject, which the apostle had given, were two,

1. That government was appointed by God.

(2)That violation of the laws would necessarily expose to punishment.

Ye must needs be - It is “necessary” ἀναγκή anagkē to be. This is a word stronger than what implies mere “fitness” or propriety. It means that it is a matter of high obligation and of “necessity” to be subject to the civil ruler.

Not only for wrath - Not only on account of the “fear of punishment;” or the fact that wrath will be executed on evil doers.

For conscience’ sake - As a matter of conscience, or of “duty to God,” because “he” has appointed it, and made it necessary and proper. A good citizen yields obedience because it is the will of God; and a Christian makes it a part of his religion to maintain and obey the just laws of the land; see Matthew 22:21; compare Ecclesiastes 8:2, “I counsel them to keep the king’s commandments, and “that in regard of the oath of God.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Romans 13:5. Ye must needs be subject — αναγκη, There is a necessity that ye should be subject, not only for wrath, δια την οργην, on account of the punishment which will be inflicted on evil doers, but also for conscience' sake; not only to avoid punishment, but also to preserve a clear conscience. For, as civil government is established in the order of God for the support, defence, and happiness of society, they who transgress its laws, not only expose themselves to the penalties assigned by the statutes, but also to guilt in their own consciences, because they sin against God. Here are two powerful motives to prevent the infraction of the laws and to enforce obedience.

1. The dread of punishment; this weighs with the ungodly.

2. The keeping of a good conscience, which weighs powerfully with every person who fears God. These two motives should be frequently urged both among professors and profane.