Romans 13:7
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπόδοτε
Render
G591
ἀπόδοτε
Render
Strong's:
G591
Word #:
1 of 25
to give away, i.e., up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 25
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
τὴν
to whom
G3588
τὴν
to whom
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφειλάς,
their dues
G3782
ὀφειλάς,
their dues
Strong's:
G3782
Word #:
5 of 25
indebtedness, i.e., (concretely) a sum owed; figuratively, obligation, i.e., (conjugal) duty
τὴν
to whom
G3588
τὴν
to whom
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴν
to whom
G3588
τὴν
to whom
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φόρον
tribute
G5411
φόρον
tribute
Strong's:
G5411
Word #:
8 of 25
a load (as borne), i.e., (figuratively) a tax (properly, an individual assessment on persons or property; whereas g5056 is usually a general toll on g
τὴν
to whom
G3588
τὴν
to whom
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φόρον
tribute
G5411
φόρον
tribute
Strong's:
G5411
Word #:
10 of 25
a load (as borne), i.e., (figuratively) a tax (properly, an individual assessment on persons or property; whereas g5056 is usually a general toll on g
τὴν
to whom
G3588
τὴν
to whom
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴν
to whom
G3588
τὴν
to whom
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τέλος
custom
G5056
τέλος
custom
Strong's:
G5056
Word #:
13 of 25
properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e., (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitel
τὴν
to whom
G3588
τὴν
to whom
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τέλος
custom
G5056
τέλος
custom
Strong's:
G5056
Word #:
15 of 25
properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e., (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitel
τὴν
to whom
G3588
τὴν
to whom
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴν
to whom
G3588
τὴν
to whom
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴν
to whom
G3588
τὴν
to whom
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴν
to whom
G3588
τὴν
to whom
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴν
to whom
G3588
τὴν
to whom
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τιμήν
honour
G5092
τιμήν
honour
Strong's:
G5092
Word #:
23 of 25
a value, i.e., money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself
Cross References
Luke 20:25And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.Proverbs 24:21My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:Matthew 17:25He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?1 Timothy 5:17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.Matthew 22:21They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.Ephesians 5:33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.Ephesians 6:5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;Mark 12:17And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.Exodus 20:12Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.1 Timothy 6:1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
Historical Context
Rome's tax system was complex: tributum (direct land/property taxes) and vectigalia (indirect customs/tolls). Tax collectors (telōnai) were despised as collaborators, yet Jesus and Paul command payment. This radical teaching distinguished Christianity from revolutionary movements. The early church became known for scrupulous civic obedience (even under persecution), leading Tertullian to write: 'We pray for emperors, for their ministers and powers, for the state of the world, for peace.' Christian integrity in taxation witnessed to gospel transformation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the command to give '<em>phobon</em>' (fear) and '<em>timēn</em>' (honor) to authorities apply when you disagree with their policies or character?
- In what ways might you withhold honor or respect from governing authorities while claiming to submit to them?
- What is the relationship between 'rendering to Caesar' (civic duty) and 'rendering to God' (ultimate allegiance)—where's the line?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour—Apodote pasin tas opheilas, tō ton phoron ton phoron, tō to telos to telos, tō ton phobon ton phobon, tō tēn timēn tēn timēn (ἀπόδοτε πᾶσιν τὰς ὀφειλάς, τῷ τὸν φόρον τὸν φόρον, τῷ τὸ τέλος τὸ τέλος, τῷ τὸν φόβον τὸν φόβον, τῷ τὴν τιμὴν τὴν τιμήν). The imperative apodote (render/pay back) echoes Jesus' 'render unto Caesar' (Matthew 22:21).
Opheilas (dues/debts) frames civic obligation as moral debt. Four categories: phoron (tribute—direct taxes), telos (custom—indirect taxes/tolls), phobon (fear—healthy respect for authority's power), and timēn (honor—esteem for office and person). The fourfold repetition (tribute...tribute, custom...custom) emphasizes specificity—give exactly what is owed to whom it's owed. Christians don't grudgingly submit but joyfully honor authority as God's institution.