Romans 13 is a passage in the New Testament of the Bible that addresses the relationship between Christians and governing authorities. It is a part of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians, where he provides instructions on living a life that is pleasing to God, including how believers should relate to the civil authorities established in society.

The chapter opens with a clear directive: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1, ESV). This verse sets the tone for the entire discussion, emphasizing that all authorities ultimately derive their power from God, and therefore, submission to such authorities is part of God’s will for His people.

Paul continues by explaining that rulers are not a threat to good conduct but to bad. “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,” (Romans 13:3, ESV). This suggests that governing authorities have a role in maintaining order and justice in society, rewarding those who do good and punishing those who do evil.

The Apostle also introduces the concept of conscience in relation to authority, stating, “Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.” (Romans 13:5, ESV). This means that obeying authorities is not only about avoiding punishment but also about maintaining a clear conscience before God.

Towards the end of the discussion on government, Paul reminds believers of the overarching commandment that encompasses all others: love. “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8, ESV). He reinforces that love is the fulfillment of the law, summarizing various commandments under the principle of loving one’s neighbor as oneself.

In essence, Romans 13 teaches that Christians are to respect and submit to governing authorities, recognizing their role as part of God’s order for society. However, this submission is not blind but is guided by the principles of doing good, maintaining a clear conscience, and above all, loving others. This instruction aligns with the broader biblical teaching on living in society in a way that honors God and promotes peace and justice.

The Bible, as we have it today, including the New Testament, was written and compiled before there was an official division into the various versions and translations we see now. The books of the New Testament were authored in the first century AD, with the Apostle Paul’s letters, including Romans, believed to be written in the mid-1st century. This timeline predates the formation of the Roman Empire as we commonly understand it, particularly the division into Eastern and Western Roman Empires in the late 3rd century and the eventual decline of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century.

Romans, like the rest of the New Testament, was originally written in Koine Greek, which was the common language of the eastern Mediterranean and the Near East during the time of Paul. The content and teachings within these texts, including Romans 13, have been preserved through careful transcription, translation, and transmission processes over centuries.

The verse “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1), and the rest of Romans 13, would have been the same in the earliest manuscripts of the Bible, as these writings were circulated among early Christian communities before the establishment of the Roman Empire’s formal structure as we know it.

As the Bible has been translated into many languages over the centuries, including Latin (Vulgate), English (King James Version, English Standard Version, New International Version, etc.), and others, the essence and teachings of Romans 13 have been preserved, though different translations may phrase the ideas slightly differently to accommodate the nuances of each language. The core message of Paul’s teaching on the relationship between Christians and governing authorities remains consistent across these versions: that such authorities are part of God’s order and that Christians should live peaceably within this order, respecting and obeying laws, out of conscience toward God and love for their neighbors.