Romans 13:2 cpdv — And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation…

Catholic Public Domain Version

"And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation for themselves. "

— Romans 13:2, Catholic Public Domain Version

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Romans 13:2 in Other Translations

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Romans 13 — Context

1

Let every soul be subject to higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those who have been ordained by God.

2

And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation for themselves.

3

For leaders are not a source of fear to those who work good, but to those who work evil. And would you prefer not to be afraid of authority? Then do what is good, and you shall have praise from them.

4

For he is a minister of God for you unto good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For it is not without reason that he carries a sword. For he is a minister of God; an avenger to execute wrath upon whomever does evil.

5

For this reason, it is necessary to be subject, not solely because of wrath, but also because of conscience.

Romans 13:2 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Romans 13:2 say?
Romans 13:2 in the Catholic Public Domain Version reads: “And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation for themselves. ”
Where is Romans 13:2 in the Bible?
Romans 13:2 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Romans, chapter 13, verse 2.
Who wrote Romans?
Romans is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle. It was written c. AD 56–57.
What is the book of Romans about?
Romans is Paul's most systematic exposition of the gospel — the universal need for salvation, justification by faith in Christ, the new life of the Spirit, the place of Israel in God's plan, and the practical shape of a transformed community. The most influential letter in church history.
What are the major themes of Romans?
Romans explores themes including Righteousness by Faith, Sin, Grace, Spirit-Filled Life, Israel, Christian Living. These themes shape the meaning and context of Romans 13:2.
What translation should I read Romans 13:2 in?
Romans 13:2 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Romans 13:2?
Romans 13:2 reads (CPDV): “And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation for themselves. ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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