Romans Chapter 13 Vs. 7

Submission to the Authorities

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Rom 13:7

Render therefore to... Withhold nothing from civil government or its lawful officers that is required of you to pay. Pay taxes, customs, fear, and honor to all people over you in public life. Render translates a Greek word that signifies the payment of something which is owed and is not a voluntary “contribution” as seen by the word “due”.

honor to whom... We are to show sincere respect and attitude to all public officials, including “tax collectors” from which the government provides for our “safety and protection”.

1Pet. 2:17 “Honor all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”

In our society today, it has become fashionable to disrespect authority of all kinds. A few years ago our mother taught us to respect others. This is the same thing God says in His Word.

Even the world who does not have Jesus should be shown respect, if they are in higher office. It is really respect for the office we are showing. We must remember that a person is in that particular office because God put him there.

In summing up this lesson, we can see the importance of having great respect for God. We must respect Him and trust Him enough that we will also respect the people He has put in authority. Remember if we do not respect those in authority, then we are saying that God was not wise in choosing that person for that job. We must not question or accuse God, He knows best.

So a Christian ought to give everyone what he owes him (lit., “repay everyone his dues”), whether substance (taxes and revenue) or respect and honor.