Romans 13:7 Meaning and Explanation
“Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Believers are to give everyone what is owed them, whether taxes, respect, or honor.
What Does Romans 13:7 Mean?
Paul broadens the duty from taxes to every legitimate obligation. He lists them in pairs: 'tribute' and 'custom' name two kinds of payment, while 'fear' and 'honour' name the respect owed to those in places of trust. The command is to 'render,' to pay back what is genuinely due.
Behind the list lies a settled disposition: the believer does not withhold what rightly belongs to another. This echoes the words of Jesus, who taught his hearers to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. To live justly is to keep no debts of duty unpaid, treating each person, high or low, with the regard their place deserves. Such fairness frees the heart and adorns the gospel before a watching world.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 13:7
What does Romans 13:7 mean?
Believers are to give everyone what is owed them, whether taxes, respect, or honor.