What Does the Bible Say About Obeying the Law?
Here are 6 Bible verses about Obeying the Law, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Romans 13:1-5
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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
BSBEveryone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.
- #2Titus 3:1
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
BSBRemind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,
- #3Romans 2:13
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
BSBFor it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.
- #41 Peter 2:13-17
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
BSBSubmit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
- #5Romans 3:31
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
BSBDo we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.
- #6Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
BSBBut Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).