Romans 13:6

Translations

Modern

This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.

Traditional

For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Literal

For because of this, you also pay taxes; for they are ministers of God, attending continually to this very thing.

Latin

Ideo enim et tributa præstatis: ministri enim Dei sunt, in hoc ipsum servientes.

Original

Greek

English

This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.

Notes

Romans 13:6

pay taxes: Jesus spoke about paying taxes in his well-known teaching on the disciples’ relationship to government (Matthew 22:21). A tax revolt took place in Rome around the time Paul was writing this letter. Paul may have known about this event. His discussion of the Christian responsibility toward government may have been prompted by reports that some Roman Christians were involved in this revolt (see Tacitus, Annals 13).

Romans 12:1–15:13

This section of Romans explains the moral and ethical demands of the gospel. God’s gift of salvation in Christ calls for a response from believers.

God not only forgives sin. He also wants to transform how people live.

Much of what Paul teaches here about the moral duties of believers also appears in his other letters. However, Paul also addresses issues that were especially important for the church in Rome. One key issue was the disagreement between people who were weak in faith and people who were strong in faith(14:1–15:13).

Theme notes and profiles

Nero Paul (Saul) Roman Emperors The Lord of Nations

Related verses

Matthew 22:17–21
So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Luke 20:21–26
“Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Luke 23:2
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”
Mark 12:14–17
“Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?”
Matthew 17:24–27
After they had arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your Teacher pay the two drachmas?”
1 Chronicles 18:14
Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people:
Job 29:7–17
When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the public square,
Romans 12:8
…if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Nehemiah 5:4
Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.
Ezra 4:13
Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.
Exodus 18:13–27
The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening.
Deuteronomy 1:9–17
At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone.

Romans 13:6

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