Government

Government and civil authority are addressed in the Gospels and the New Testament letters. This page lists verses on submitting to authorities, paying taxes, praying for leaders, and obeying God.

Submit to authorities

• Romans 13:1-2
  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. ²Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
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• 1 Peter 2:13-14
  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.
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• Titus 3:1
  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
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Taxes

• Mark 12:17
  And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Cesar the things that are Cesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
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• Romans 13:6-7
  ⁶For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. ⁷Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
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Pray for leaders

• 1 Timothy 2:1-2
  ¹I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; ²For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
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• Jeremiah 29:7
  And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
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Obey God rather than men

• Acts 5:29
  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
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• Daniel 3:17-18
  ¹⁷If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. ¹⁸But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
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Rulers under God

• Proverbs 21:1
  The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
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• Daniel 2:21
  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
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See also

• Capital punishment
• Prayer

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.