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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Romans 13:2–3

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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2 selected · 8 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

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Reference depth

From verse 2

  1. 1 Peter 2:13Rank 1 from verse 2
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    13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

  2. Titus 3:1Rank 2 from verse 2
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    1PUT them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

  3. James 3:1Rank 3 from verse 2
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    1MY brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

  4. Romans 13:5Rank 4 from verse 2
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    5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

  5. Luke 20:47Rank 5 from verse 2
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    47Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

From verse 3

  1. Ecclesiastes 10:4–6Rank 1 from verse 3
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    4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

    5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:

    6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

  2. 1 Peter 2:13–14Rank 2 from verse 3
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    13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

    14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

  3. Proverbs 14:35Rank 3 from verse 3
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    35The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

  4. Proverbs 20:2Rank 4 from verse 3
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    2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

  5. Deuteronomy 25:1Rank 5 from verse 3
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    1IF there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

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DEFINED WORDS

Romans 13:2

COMBINED MEANING

power

↗

Sense 1: Ability, strength, force, or effective capacity to act, prevail, or produce an effect. Sense 2: Authority, right, permission, rule, dominion, or control. Sense 3: A person, authority, host, spiritual being, or other agent possessing or manifesting power.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ordinance

↗

Sense 1: A rule, command, decree, statute, or authoritative appointment. Sense 2: A prescribed observance, rite, practice, or arrangement.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

resist

↗

To oppose, withstand, strive against, hinder, refuse, or set oneself against.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

damnation

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Sense 1: Condemnation; an adverse judgment or sentence. Sense 2: The punishment or destruction resulting from such judgment.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 13:3

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

works

↗

Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

evil

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Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wilt

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Sense 1: Second-person singular present form of will: choosest, intendest, or art disposed to. Sense 2: As an auxiliary, marks future action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

power

↗

Sense 1: Ability, strength, force, or effective capacity to act, prevail, or produce an effect. Sense 2: Authority, right, permission, rule, dominion, or control. Sense 3: A person, authority, host, spiritual being, or other agent possessing or manifesting power.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

praise

↗

1. Commendation, thanksgiving, honour, or good report. 2. To commend, thank, honour, or declare excellence.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · Romans 13:1–10

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

13:1LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

13:2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Selected passage

13:3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Selected passage

13:4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

13:5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

13:6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

13:7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

13:8Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

13:9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

13:10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

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