Bible / Romans
Romans 13
Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision (1749–1752), the traditional Catholic English Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate. If you read a modern Bible, this is the same Scripture in older English; some names are spelled differently (Cesarea for Caesarea, Apocalypse for Revelation). About this translation
1 Let every soul be subject to higher powers. For there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God. CCC · Fathers
2 Therefore, he that resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist purchase to themselves damnation. CCC
3 For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good: and thou shalt have praise from the same.
4 For he is God’s minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God’s minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil. Fathers
5 Wherefore be subject of necessity: not only for wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
6 For therefore also you pay tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving unto this purpose. Fathers
7 Render therefore to all men their dues. Tribute, to whom tribute is due: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom fear: honour, to whom honour. CCC
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another. For he that loveth his neighbour hath fulfilled the law. CCC
9 For: Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not steal: Thou shalt not bear false witness: Thou shalt not covet. And if there be any other commandment, it is comprised in this word: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. CCC
10 The love of our neighbour worketh no evil. Love therefore is the fulfilling of the law. CCC · Fathers
11 And that, knowing the season, that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is passed And the day is at hand. Let us, therefore cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ: and make not provision for the flesh in its concupiscences.
This chapter in the Catechism and the early Church
Where the Catechism of the Catholic Church cites these verses (from its footnotes on vatican.va), and where the earliest Church Fathers quote them (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, public domain). Short quotes only; follow the links for the full text.
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 1899 “The authority required by the moral order derives from God: "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is…”
- CCC 2238 “Those subject to authority should regard those in authority as representatives of God, who has made them stewards of his gifts: "Be…”
“For this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXVI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
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Read the Fathers
“sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, the avenger for wrath to him who does evil.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book V, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXIV. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
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“… in regard to angelical powers, nor of invisible rulers – as some venture to expound the passage – but of those of actual human authorities, [he shows when] he says, "For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, doing service for this very thing.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book V, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXIV. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
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- CCC 2240 “Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote,…”
Read the Catechism
- CCC 1824 “Fruit of the Spirit and fullness of the Law, charity keeps the commandments of God and his Christ: "Abide in my love.…”
- CCC 2055 “When someone asks him, "Which commandment in the Law is the greatest?" Jesus replies: "You shall love the Lord your God with…”
- CCC 2196 “In response to the question about the first of the commandments, Jesus says: "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our…”
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 1824 “Fruit of the Spirit and fullness of the Law, charity keeps the commandments of God and his Christ: "Abide in my love.…”
- CCC 2055 “When someone asks him, "Which commandment in the Law is the greatest?" Jesus replies: "You shall love the Lord your God with…”
- CCC 2196 “In response to the question about the first of the commandments, Jesus says: "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our…”
“And Paul in like manner declares, "Love is the fulfilling of the law:”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
A modern English Catholic translation will be added once its publisher grants permission.