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Romans 13:5

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— Wherefore [ye] must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience sake.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— Wherefore [ye] must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only on account of wrath, but also on account of conscience.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection,—not only because of the anger, but also because of the conscience;
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only because of the wrath, but also because of the conscience,
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— Wherefore be subject of necessity: not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— Wherefore ye must bee subiect, not because of wrath only, but also for conscience sake.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— Wherfore ye must needs be subiect, not onely for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— Wherefore, we must be obedient, not only in fear of wrath, but also for our conscience sake.
John Etheridge Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1849)
— And because of this are we bound to be subject, not for the wrath only, but also because of conscience.
James Murdock Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1852)
— And therefore, it is necessary for us to be obedient, not only on account of wrath, but likewise on account of our consciences.

Strong's Numbers & Red-LettersGreek New TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
Wherefore 1352
{1352} Prime
διό
dio
{dee-o'}
From G1223 and G3739; through which thing, that is, consequently.
[ye] must needs 318
{0318} Prime
ἀνάγκη
anagke
{an-ang-kay'}
From G0303 and the base of G0043; constraint (literally or figuratively); by implication distress.
be subject, 5293
{5293} Prime
ὑποτάσσω
hupotasso
{hoop-ot-as'-so}
From G5259 and G5021; to subordinate; reflexively to obey.
z5733
<5733> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Middle (See G5785)
Mood - Infinitive (See G5795)
Count - 30
not 3756
{3756} Prime
οὐ
ou
{oo}
A primary word; the absolutely negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not.
only 3440
{3440} Prime
μόνον
monon
{mon'-on}
Neuter of G3441 as adverb; merely.
for 1223
{1223} Prime
διά
dia
{dee-ah'}
A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal or occasional). In composition it retains the same general import.
wrath, 3709
{3709} Prime
ὀργή
orge
{or-gay'}
From G3713; properly desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), that is, (by analogy) violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorrence); by implication punishment.
but 235
{0235} Prime
ἀλλά
alla
{al-lah'}
Neuter plural of G0243; properly other things, that is, (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations).
also 2532
{2532} Prime
καί
kai
{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
for conscience y4893
[4893] Standard
συνείδησις
suneidesis
{soon-i'-day-sis}
From a prolonged form of G4894; co-perception, that is, moral consciousness.
sake. 1223
{1223} Prime
διά
dia
{dee-ah'}
A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal or occasional). In composition it retains the same general import.
x4893
(4893) Complement
συνείδησις
suneidesis
{soon-i'-day-sis}
From a prolonged form of G4894; co-perception, that is, moral consciousness.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Romans 13:5

_ _ Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath — for fear of the magistrate’s vengeance.

_ _ but also for conscience’ sake — from reverence for God’s authority. It is of Magistracy in general, considered as a divine ordinance, that this is spoken: and the statement applies equally to all forms of government, from an unchecked despotism — such as flourished when this was written, under the Emperor Nero — to a pure democracy. The inalienable right of all subjects to endeavor to alter or improve the form of government under which they live is left untouched here. But since Christians were constantly charged with turning the world upside down, and since there certainly were elements enough in Christianity of moral and social revolution to give plausibility to the charge, and tempt noble spirits, crushed under misgovernment, to take redress into their own hands, it was of special importance that the pacific, submissive, loyal spirit of those Christians who resided at the great seat of political power, should furnish a visible refutation of this charge.

Matthew Henry's Commentary

See commentary on Romans 13:1-6.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Romans 13:5

Not only for fear of wrath — That is, punishment from man. But for conscience' sake — Out of obedience to God.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

Romans 13:5

(7) Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but (d) also for conscience sake.

(7) The conclusion: we must obey the magistrate, not only for fear of punishment, but much more because (although the magistrate has no power over the conscience of man, yet seeing he is God's minister) he cannot be resisted by any good conscience.

(d) So far as we lawfully may: for if unlawful things are commanded to us, we must answer as Peter teaches us, "It is better to obey God than men."

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
ye:

1 Samuel 24:5-6 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. ... And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he [is] the anointed of the LORD.
Ecclesiastes 8:2 I [counsel thee] to keep the king's commandment, and [that] in regard of the oath of God.
Titus 3:1-2 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, ... To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, [but] gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
1 Peter 2:13-15 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; ... For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

conscience:

Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.
Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
1 Peter 2:19 For this [is] thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
1 Peter 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

1S 24:5. Ec 8:2. Ac 24:16. Tit 3:1. He 13:18. 1P 2:13, 19; 3:16.

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