Bible Verses About Government & Authority

Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.

Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.

For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority,

for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.

Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing.

Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme,

or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well.

For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Live as free people, yet not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.

Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men,

for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.