ROM 13:6 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not necessarily natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for Bible-translators and others doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still early looks into the drafted texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal Speaker(s)=Narrator (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) That’s also why you believers should pay the taxes that you owe,[ref] because the authorities are God’s servants, and they work hard at it.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

GHT for through the-same also you-are-settling tributes, for they-are-being employees of {God} into same, enduring-toward the-same.

ULT For because of this you pay taxes also; for they are servants of God, persisting in this very thing.

UST Indeed, you also pay taxes because of these things. You also pay taxes because those people whom God authorizes to rule serve God. They devote themselves to serving by governing.

BSB This is also why you pay taxes. For [the authorities] are God ’s servants, who devote themselves to [their work].

BLB For because of this, you also pay taxes; for they are servants of God, attending continually upon this very thing.

AICNT For this reason, also pay taxes; for they are servants of God, attending to this very thing.

OEB This, too, is the reason for your paying taxes; for the officials are God’s officers, devoting themselves to this special work.

WEBBE For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing.

NET For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants devoted to governing.

LSV for because of this you also pay tribute; for they are servants of God, on this very thing attending continually;

FBV That's why you have to pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants taking care of such things.

TCNT That is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are servants of God, attending continually to this work.

T4T It is for this reason that you also pay taxes, because the officials are ones who serve God as they continually do their work.

LEB For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities[fn] are servants of God, busily engaged in this very thing.

13:6 Literally “they”

BBE For the same reason, make payment of taxes; because the authority is God's servant, to take care of such things at all times.

Moff for the same reason as you pay taxes — since magistrates are God's officers, bent upon the maintenance of order and authority.

Wymth Why, this is really the reason you pay taxes; for tax-gatherers are ministers of God, devoting their energies to this very work.

ASV For for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing.

DRA For therefore also you pay tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving unto this purpose.

YLT for because of this also pay ye tribute; for servants of God they are, on this very thing attending continually;

Drby For on this account ye pay tribute also; for they are [fn]God's officers, attending continually on this very thing.

13.6 Elohim

RV For for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing.
(For for this cause ye/you_all pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing.)

SLT For this also pay ye taxes: for they are workmen of God, persevering in this same.

Wbstr For, for this cause ye pay tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

KJB-1769 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
(For for this cause pay ye/you_all tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.)

KJB-1611 For, for this cause pay you tribute also: for they are Gods ministers, attending continually vpon this very thing.
(For, for this cause pay you tribute also: for they are Gods ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.)

Bshps And for this cause pay ye tribute. For they are Gods ministers, seruyng for the same purpose.
(And for this cause pay ye/you_all tribute. For they are Gods ministers, serving for the same purpose.)

Gnva For, for this cause ye pay also tribute: for they are Gods ministers, applying themselues for the same thing.
(For, for this cause ye/you_all pay also tribute: for they are Gods ministers, applying themselves for the same thing.)

Cvdl For this cause must ye geue trybute also. For they are Gods mynisters, which mateyne ye same defence.
(For this cause must ye/you_all give tribute also. For they are Gods ministers, which maintain ye/you_all same defence.)

TNT And even for this cause paye ye tribute. For they are goddes ministers servynge for the same purpose.
(And even for this cause pay ye/you_all tribute. For they are gods ministers serving for the same purpose.)

Wycl For therfor ye yyuen tributis, thei ben the mynystris of God, and seruen for this same thing.
(For therefore ye/you_all given tributes, they been the ministers of God, and serve for this same thing.)

Luth Derhalben müsset ihr auch Schoß geben; denn sie sind Gottes Diener, die solchen Schutz sollen handhaben.
(Therefore must you(pl)/their/her also lap(n) give; because/than they/she/them are God’s servant, the such protection should handle(v).)

ClVg Ideo enim et tributa præstatis: ministri enim Dei sunt, in hoc ipsum servientes.[fn]
(Therefore/For_that_reason because and tribute/taxes you(pl)_excel: ministers because of_God are, in/into/on this him servants.)

13.6 Ideo enim. Subditi esse debetis, quia etiam ideo, id est propter ostendendam subjectionem, præstatis tributa, quod est signum subjectionis. Non ait, solvitis, sed præstatis, quasi reddituris; quia reddunt dum pugnant pro patria, et dum agunt judicia, vos præstatis servientes Deo. Per hoc enim, quod illi tributa datis, Deo servitis, quia ministri Dei sunt. Vel præstatis tributa, quia ministri Dei sunt, ut boni laudentur, mali puniantur.

13.6 Therefore/For_that_reason because. Subjects to_be you_must, because also therefore/for_that_reason, that it_is because to_be_shown subjection, you(pl)_excel tribute/taxes, that it_is sign/signal subjection. Not/No he_said, you(pl)_loose, but you(pl)_excel, as_if about_to_return; because they_return while they_fight for fatherland, and while they_act judgements, you(pl) you(pl)_excel servants to_God. Through this because, that them tribute/taxes givens, to_God you(pl)_serve, because ministers of_God are. Or you(pl)_excel tribute/taxes, because ministers of_God are, as good they_may_be_praised, evil they_may_be_punished.

UGNT διὰ τοῦτο γὰρ, καὶ φόρους τελεῖτε; λειτουργοὶ γὰρ Θεοῦ εἰσιν, εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο προσκαρτεροῦντες.
(dia touto gar, kai forous teleite; leitourgoi gar Theou eisin, eis auto touto proskarterountes.)

SBL-GNT διὰ τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ φόρους τελεῖτε, λειτουργοὶ γὰρ θεοῦ εἰσιν εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο προσκαρτεροῦντες.
(dia touto gar kai forous teleite, leitourgoi gar theou eisin eis auto touto proskarterountes.)

RP-GNT Διὰ τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ φόρους τελεῖτε· λειτουργοὶ γὰρ θεοῦ εἰσιν, εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο προσκαρτεροῦντες.
(Dia touto gar kai forous teleite; leitourgoi gar theou eisin, eis auto touto proskarterountes.)

TC-GNT διὰ τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ φόρους τελεῖτε· λειτουργοὶ γὰρ Θεοῦ εἰσιν εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο προσκαρτεροῦντες.
(dia touto gar kai forous teleite; leitourgoi gar Theou eisin eis auto touto proskarterountes.)

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 13:1–7: Paul taught about government officials/leaders

In this section, Paul told believers that they must submit to government officials, because God gave the officials the authority to rule. Fighting the government is fighting the thing that God put in place. Only people who do evil need to fear the government. The believer must do good. The government will approve those deeds. But if the believer does what is wrong, he or she should fear the government. It makes happen God’s anger against those who do evil. Submitting to the government helps avoid God’s anger and keeps our conscience clear.

Believers also should pay government taxes and fees. They should respect and honor the leaders.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

Our attitude toward the government

Our relationship with the government

13:6a

This is also why you pay taxes.

For, because of that, you pay tax money too,
For, because of your conscience, you also pay taxes to them,

This is also why: Here this word introduces something more that Paul wanted to say about government leaders. This phrase refers to being in subjection for the sake of conscience (13:5a–b). In some languages “that” would be more clear. For example:

because of that

taxes: This word refers to money that the government requires from the people they govern.

13:6b

For the authorities are God’s servants,

for they are administrators who work for God,
because they are God’s servants,

For: Here this word introduces a reason for paying taxes.

the authorities: The Greek is literally the word ending on the verb that means “they.” But the government authorities have not been mentioned, except for using “he,” since 13:3a. So the BSB makes it clear here who “they” refers to.

In some languages “they” would clearly refer to the government authorities here. For example:

they (KJV)

God’s servants: Here the Greek word that the BSB translates as servants refers to an administrator in government. It refers to the same group that Paul called “God’s servant” in 13:4, “rulers” in 13:3, and “authorities” in 13:1. God has given these people the authority to do their work for the government. Here are other ways to translate this word:

officials working for God

those workers/administrators, they work for God,

The meaning is similar to “servant” in 13:4. It may be clearer in your language to refer to the them using the word you used there.

13:6c

who devote themselves to their work.

being busy doing that.
and they work every day at it.

who devote themselves to their work: The word who indicates here that this phrase further describes the authorities and what they do (13:6b). In some languages a different grammar must be used for the correct meaning. For example:

and attend to this very thing

who devote themselves to: Here the word devote refers to continually working at something. The government authorities are busy doing their work. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

give their full time to (NIV)

are busily occupied with (NJB)

their work: This refers to the work of administration indicated in the Greek word that the BSB translates as “servants” in 13:6b. Here are other ways to translate this word:

that particular task (NJB)

their duties (GNT)

governing (NIV)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Διά τοῦτο γάρ καί φόρους τελεῖτε λειτουργοί γάρ Θεοῦ εἰσίν εἰς αὐτό τοῦτο προσκαρτεροῦντες)

For indicates that what follows this word explains what came before it. For here indicates that what follows in this verse explains what Paul said in the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: [In fact,]

Note 2 topic: writing-pronouns

διὰ τοῦτο

Here, this could refer to: (1) “the wrath” and “the conscience” mentioned in the previous verse. Alternate translation: [because of the wrath and your conscience]; (2) “the wrath” and “the conscience” mentioned in the previous verse, and the fact that rulers are servants of God. Alternate translation: [because of the wrath and your conscience, and because rulers are servants of God]

Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

(Occurrence 2) γὰρ

For indicates that what follows this word explains what came before it. Here, for indicates that what follows is another reason why Christians should pay taxes. Use a natural way in your language for indicating a reason. Alternate translation: [since]

Note 4 topic: writing-pronouns

εἰσιν

Here, they refers to the rulers described in 13:1–4. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [the rulers are]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

λειτουργοὶ & Θεοῦ

See how you translated the similar phrase in 13:4.

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / distinguish

εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο προσκαρτεροῦντες

for (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Διά τοῦτο γάρ καί φόρους τελεῖτε λειτουργοί γάρ Θεοῦ εἰσίν εἰς αὐτό τοῦτο προσκαρτεροῦντες)

This clause gives additional information about the rulers, who are called servants of God in the previous clause. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could make the connection between these clauses more explicit. Alternate translation: [and these rulers are the ones persisting in this very thing]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

αὐτὸ τοῦτο

Here, this very thing refers to serving God by ruling over people, as is indicated by Paul calling them servants of God in the previous clause. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [this service]

Parallel ROM 13:6

Section 13:1–7: Paul taught about government officials/leaders

13:6a

13:6b

13:6c