Romans 13:3

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

(for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Deut 25:1 : 1 If controversy arises between people, they should go to court for judgment. When the judges hear the case, they shall exonerate the innocent but condemn the guilty.
  • Prov 14:35 : 35 The king shows favor to a wise servant, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
  • Prov 20:2 : 2 The king’s terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself.
  • Eccl 10:4-6 : 4 If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses. 5 I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes. 6 Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions.
  • Jer 22:15-18 : 15 Does it make you any more of a king that you outstrip everyone else in building with cedar? Just think about your father. He was content that he had food and drink. He did what was just and right. So things went well with him. 16 He upheld the cause of the poor and needy. So things went well for Judah.’ The LORD says,‘That is a good example of what it means to know me.’ 17 But you are always thinking and looking for ways to increase your wealth by dishonest means. Your eyes and your heart are set on killing some innocent person and committing fraud and oppression. 18 So the LORD has this to say about Josiah’s son, King Jehoiakim of Judah: People will not mourn for him, saying,“This makes me sad, my brother! This makes me sad, my sister!” They will not mourn for him, saying,“Poor, poor lord! Poor, poor majesty!”
  • Rom 13:4 : 4 because it is God’s servant for your well-being. But be afraid if you do wrong because government does not bear the sword for nothing. It is God’s servant to administer punishment on the person who does wrong.
  • 1 Pet 3:13-14 : 13 For who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good? 14 But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken.
  • 1 Pet 2:13-14 : 13 Submission to Authorities Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme 14 or to governors as those he commissions to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Rom 13:4-7
    4 verses
    88%

    4because it is God’s servant for your well-being. But be afraid if you do wrong because government does not bear the sword for nothing. It is God’s servant to administer punishment on the person who does wrong.

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

    6For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants devoted to governing.

    7Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

  • 1 Pet 2:13-18
    6 verses
    82%

    13Submission to Authorities Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme

    14or to governors as those he commissions to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good.

    15For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.

    16Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God’s slaves.

    17Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king.

    18Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse.

  • Rom 13:1-2
    2 verses
    80%

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

    2So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment

  • Titus 3:1-2
    2 verses
    78%

    1Conduct Toward Those Outside the Church Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.

    2They must not slander anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people.

  • 1 Pet 3:12-14
    3 verses
    75%

    12For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil.

    13For who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good?

    14But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken.

  • 1 Tim 2:2-3
    2 verses
    72%

    2even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

    3Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior,

  • Job 13:11
    72%

    11Would not his splendor terrify you and the fear he inspires fall on you?

  • Eph 6:9
    70%

    9Masters, treat your slaves the same way, giving up the use of threats, because you know that both you and they have the same master in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

  • Col 3:22
    69%

    22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in every respect, not only when they are watching– like those who are strictly people-pleasers– but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.

  • Heb 13:17
    69%

    17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. Let them do this with joy and not with complaints, for this would be no advantage for you.

  • Prov 24:21
    69%

    21Fear the LORD, my child, as well as the king, and do not associate with rebels,

  • 1 Pet 3:17
    69%

    17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil.

  • Lev 25:43
    69%

    43You must not rule over him harshly, but you must fear your God.

  • 2 Sam 23:3
    69%

    3The God of Israel spoke, the protector of Israel spoke to me. The one who rules fairly among men, the one who rules in the fear of God,

  • Prov 29:2
    69%

    2When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.

  • Eccl 8:3-4
    2 verses
    69%

    3Do not rush out of the king’s presence in haste– do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, for he can do whatever he pleases.

    4Surely the king’s authority is absolute; no one can say to him,“What are you doing?”

  • 3 John 1:11
    68%

    11Dear friend, do not imitate what is bad but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does what is bad has not seen God.

  • Eph 6:5
    68%

    5Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ,

  • Col 3:25
    68%

    25For the one who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there are no exceptions.

  • Ps 37:1
    68%

    1By David. Do not fret when wicked men seem to succeed! Do not envy evildoers!

  • Prov 20:2
    68%

    2The king’s terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself.

  • Exod 22:28
    68%

    28“You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.

  • Eph 6:7
    68%

    7Obey with enthusiasm, as though serving the Lord and not people,

  • Prov 17:26
    67%

    26It is terrible to punish a righteous person, and to flog honorable men is wrong.

  • 2 Pet 2:10
    67%

    10especially those who indulge their fleshly desires and who despise authority. Brazen and insolent, they are not afraid to insult the glorious ones,

  • Job 19:29
    67%

    29Fear the sword yourselves, for wrath brings the punishment by the sword, so that you may know that there is judgment.”

  • Ps 125:4
    67%

    4Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, to the morally upright!

  • Prov 3:31
    67%

    31Do not envy a violent man, and do not choose any of his ways;

  • Luke 12:5
    67%

    5But I will warn you whom you should fear: Fear the one who, after the killing, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!

  • Job 34:18
    67%

    18who says to a king,‘Worthless man’ and to nobles,‘Wicked men,’

  • Prov 24:19
    67%

    19Do not fret because of evil people or be envious of wicked people,

  • Eccl 8:13
    67%

    13But it will not go well with the wicked, nor will they prolong their days like a shadow, because they do not stand in fear before God.

  • Prov 3:27
    67%

    27Wisdom Demonstrated in Relationships with People Do not withhold good from those who need it, when you have the ability to help.

  • Rom 2:3
    67%

    3And do you think, whoever you are, when you judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape God’s judgment?

  • Deut 13:11
    67%

    11Thus all Israel will hear and be afraid; no longer will they continue to do evil like this among you.

  • 1 Pet 3:9
    67%

    9Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.