Romans 13:2

Authorized King James Version

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Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Original Language Analysis

ὥστε Whosoever therefore G5620
ὥστε Whosoever therefore
Strong's: G5620
Word #: 1 of 16
so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 2 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀντιτασσόμενος resisteth G498
ἀντιτασσόμενος resisteth
Strong's: G498
Word #: 3 of 16
to range oneself against, i.e., oppose
τῇ G3588
τῇ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐξουσίᾳ the power G1849
ἐξουσίᾳ the power
Strong's: G1849
Word #: 5 of 16
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
τῇ G3588
τῇ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 6 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 8 of 16
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
διαταγῇ the ordinance G1296
διαταγῇ the ordinance
Strong's: G1296
Word #: 9 of 16
arrangement, i.e., institution
ἀνθεστηκότες resisteth G436
ἀνθεστηκότες resisteth
Strong's: G436
Word #: 10 of 16
to stand against, i.e., oppose
οἱ G3588
οἱ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δὲ and G1161
δὲ and
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 12 of 16
but, and, etc
ἀνθεστηκότες resisteth G436
ἀνθεστηκότες resisteth
Strong's: G436
Word #: 13 of 16
to stand against, i.e., oppose
ἑαυτοῖς to themselves G1438
ἑαυτοῖς to themselves
Strong's: G1438
Word #: 14 of 16
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
κρίμα damnation G2917
κρίμα damnation
Strong's: G2917
Word #: 15 of 16
a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ("crime"))
λήψονται shall receive G2983
λήψονται shall receive
Strong's: G2983
Word #: 16 of 16
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

Analysis & Commentary

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God—Hōste ho antitassomenos tē exousia tē tou theou diatagē anthistēken (ὥστε ὁ ἀντιτασσόμενος τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ τῇ τοῦ θεοῦ διαταγῇ ἀνθέστηκεν). The verb antitassō (resist/oppose) is military—to set oneself in battle array against. Resisting government authority is resisting God's diatagē (ordinance/arrangement), His ordained ordering of society. This doesn't mean blind obedience to evil commands (Daniel 3, Acts 4:19-20) but recognizes government as God's instrument.

And they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation—Krima lēmpsontai (κρίμα λήμψονται, 'will receive judgment'). Krima is better translated 'judgment' than 'damnation'—the context is temporal consequences (prison, punishment) not eternal condemnation. The future tense lēmpsontai warns of inevitable consequences for lawless rebellion. Paul grounds civil order in divine authority, making anarchy a theological issue, not merely political.

Historical Context

In the 60s AD, Jewish revolt against Rome was brewing (erupting in AD 66-70, ending in Jerusalem's destruction). Paul writes against revolutionary fervor, establishing that Christianity doesn't promote violent overthrow of government. This passage was later debated during the Reformation—when is resistance to tyrants obedience to God? Reformers like Calvin and Knox developed theories of 'lesser magistrates' who could resist tyrannical kings, but not private individuals acting vigilante.

Questions for Reflection

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