OET interlinear ROM 13:1

13:1a

Everyone must submit himself to: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the BSB translates as submit…to:

1. It means to submit here. (BSB, RSV, NIV, NASB, KJV, NABRE, ESV, NLT, NET, REB, NCV)

2. It means to obey here. For example:

   Everyone must obey (GNT) (GNT, NJB, GW, CEV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the scholars clearly indicate the Greek word means “to submit” here.All the scholars this author has follow interpretation (1); only Lenski (page 785) speaks of “proper subjection and obedience.” His translation has “range himself under,” which has the sense of submitting here. While obedience is implied when one submits to authorities, obedience is not the focus of the meaning.

Everyone must submit himself: This is a third person (as in “he” or “she”) command to submit to governing authorities as their leaders. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Every person must submit (REB)

Everyone must be underneath

This last example is a figure of speech in some languages for being in submission to someone.

Everyone: Paul wrote to the believers in Rome. This phrase refers to them.Cranfield (page 656). Some scholars want to include non-believers here, but that seems to go beyond the purpose of this letter. In general, all governments expect all its people to submit, but Paul did not write to all people, only to believers. If possible, avoid a phrase that purposely indicates all the people of a country, such as “all people.”

must submit: This refers to being under the authority of someone. He or she has the power to tell us what we should do. See the examples above.

the governing authorities: The Greek is more literally “superior/higher authorities.” It refers in general to people in the government who have the power to tell you what to do or what not to do. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

higher authorities (NABRE)

those with authority in the government

13:1b

for: Here this word introduces a reason for submitting to governing authorities.

there is no authority except that which is from God: The words there is introduce something that exists. No authority exists except (authority that comes) from God. Some languages cannot introduce such things with there is. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

no authority exists without God giving it

all authority comes from God (NLT)

Only God can give authority to anyone (CEV)

13:1c

The authorities that exist have been appointed by God: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

God has instituted those that exist

The authorities that exist: The Greek is more literally “the existing ones.” It refers to the authorities that Paul mentioned in 13:1a. For example:

the existing authorities (GNT)

This verse is true at any time, not just when Paul wrote it. Your translation should not limit it to only “at that time.”

appointed: This word refers to putting something in its place. In this case it refers to causing the authority to exist. Here are other ways to translate this word:

established (NIV)

put there (GNT)

instituted (ESV)