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submitting to authority

What does the Bible say about submitting to authority? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.

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17Obey your leaders and be subject to them. For they watch over you, as if to render an account of your souls. So then, may they do this with joy, and not with grief. Otherwise, it would not be as helpful to you.

1Let every soul be subject to higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those who have been ordained by God. 2And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation for themselves. 3For leaders are not a source of fear to those who work good, but to those who work evil. And would you prefer not to be afraid of authority? Then do what is good, and you shall have praise from them. 4For he is a minister of God for you unto good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For it is not without reason that he carries a sword. For he is a minister of God; an avenger to execute wrath upon whomever does evil. 5For this reason, it is necessary to be subject, not solely because of wrath, but also because of conscience. 6Therefore, you must also offer tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving him in this.

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1Let every soul be subject to higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those who have been ordained by God.

1Admonish them to be subordinate to the rulers and authorities, to obey their dictates, to be prepared for every good work,

1Let every soul be subject to higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those who have been ordained by God. 2And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation for themselves. 3For leaders are not a source of fear to those who work good, but to those who work evil. And would you prefer not to be afraid of authority? Then do what is good, and you shall have praise from them. 4For he is a minister of God for you unto good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For it is not without reason that he carries a sword. For he is a minister of God; an avenger to execute wrath upon whomever does evil. 5For this reason, it is necessary to be subject, not solely because of wrath, but also because of conscience. 6Therefore, you must also offer tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving him in this.

Read the full passage (7 verses) →

1Let every soul be subject to higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those who have been ordained by God. 2And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation for themselves.

2And do not choose to be conformed to this age, but instead choose to be reformed in the newness of your mind, so that you may demonstrate what is the will of God: what is good, and what is well-pleasing, and what is perfect.

1“So then, if you will listen to the voice of the Lord your God, so as to keep and do all of his commandments, which I instruct to you this day, the Lord your God will cause you to be more exalted than all the nations which exist upon the earth. 2And all these blessings shall come to you and take hold of you, but only if you listen to his precepts. 3Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed in the field. 4Blessed shall be the fruit of your loins, and the fruit of your land, and the fruit of your cattle, the droves of your herds, and the folds of your sheep. 5Blessed shall be your barns, and blessed your storehouses. 6Blessed shall you be entering and departing.

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