Romans 13:2 Meaning and Explanation
“Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →To rebel against legitimate authority is, in effect, to set oneself against the order God has appointed, and such defiance brings judgment.
What Does Romans 13:2 Mean?
Paul draws the consequence of verse 1. If authority is established by God, then reckless rebellion against it is more than a political act; it strikes against the structure God has put in place. The word rendered 'damnation' here carries the sense of judgment or condemnation that such resistance invites upon itself.
This is not a blank endorsement of every command a ruler might give, for Scripture elsewhere shows the faithful obeying God rather than men when the two collide. But the ordinary posture of the believer is peaceable. To break the social order for selfish ends is to court the very judgment God allows authority to administer. The disciple's confidence rests in God's governance, and so he does not grasp at lawless revolt.
Romans 13:2 in the Original Language
krima (κρίμα), 'damnation' -- a verdict or sentence of judgment, the consequence a wrongdoer brings upon himself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 13:2
What does Romans 13:2 mean?
To rebel against legitimate authority is, in effect, to set oneself against the order God has appointed, and such defiance brings judgment.