Romans 13:1

Submission to Civil Government

13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, 1  and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.

Romans 13:5

13:5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities 2  but also because of your conscience. 3 

1 tn Grk “by God.”

2 tn Grk “its wrath”; the referent (the governing authorities) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

3 tn Grk “because of (the) conscience,” but the English possessive “your” helps to show whose conscience the context implies.