Verse By Verse Through Romans

Chapter Thirteen

Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

• The word translated “soul” [ψυχή] is most often translated that way (@58 times). It is also translated as “life” @ 40 times (Matthew 10:39, Matthew 16:25, Matthew 20:28, etc.). See Strong’s # 5590
• Higher powers is contextually in reference to “rulers” (Romans 13:3) who are civil authorities based on the context.
• Every living person is to be under subjection to civil authorities, because God has ordained such (I Peter 2:13-16 and Titus 3:1-2).
• Submissiveness is an attribute spiritually minded people should not have a problem with (Ephesians 5:21 and I Peter 5:5; cf. Jude 1:8).