Romans 13:6
New International Version
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

New Living Translation
Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.

English Standard Version
For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.

Berean Standard Bible
This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.

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

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

New King James Version
For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.

New American Standard Bible
For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.

NASB 1995
For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.

NASB 1977
For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.

Legacy Standard Bible
For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.

Amplified Bible
For this same reason you pay taxes, for civil authorities are God’s servants, devoting themselves to governance.

Christian Standard Bible
And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s public servants, continually attending to these tasks.

American Standard Version
For this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually upon this very thing.

Contemporary English Version
You must also pay your taxes. The authorities are God's servants, and it is their duty to take care of these matters.

English Revised Version
For for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually upon this very thing.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
That is also why you pay your taxes. People in the government are God's servants while they do the work he has given them.

Good News Translation
That is also why you pay taxes, because the authorities are working for God when they fulfill their duties.

International Standard Version
This is also why you pay taxes. For rulers are God's servants faithfully devoting themselves to their work.

Majority Standard Bible
This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.

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

New Heart English Bible
For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God's service, attending continually on this very thing.

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

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

World English Bible
For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for because of this you also pay tribute; for they are servants of God, on this very thing attending continually;

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

Young's Literal Translation
for because of this also pay ye tribute; for servants of God they are, on this very thing attending continually;

Smith's Literal Translation
For this also pay ye taxes: for they are workmen of God, persevering in this same.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For therefore also you pay tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving unto this purpose.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, you must also offer tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving him in this.

New American Bible
This is why you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.

New Revised Standard Version
For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, busy with this very thing.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For, for this reason you pay head tax also: for they are ministers of God who are in charge of these things.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For this cause, also, you pay the head tax, for they are the Ministers of God who are appointed for these things.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
On this very account, too, pay tribute also: for they are the public servants of God, attending continually to this very thing.

Godbey New Testament
For on account of this also pay tribute; for they are the ministers of God, attending to this very thing.

Haweis New Testament
For on this account pay ye taxes also: for they are God’s ministers, continually employed on this very service.

Mace New Testament
from a principle of conscience, for this is the reason why you also pay tribute, because under God, they are continually

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

Worrell New Testament
For, on this account, ye pay tribute also; for they are God's ministers, attending continually to this very thing.

Worsley New Testament
For you pay them tribute also for this reason; because they are God's ministers, continually attending hereunto.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Submission to Authorities
5Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. 7Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.…

Cross References
Matthew 22:17-21
So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” / But Jesus knew their evil intent and said, “You hypocrites, why are you testing Me? / Show Me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. ...

1 Peter 2:13-14
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

Mark 12:14-17
“Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?” / But Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to inspect.” / So they brought it, and He asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they answered. ...

Luke 20:22-25
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” / But Jesus saw through their duplicity and said to them, / “Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they answered. ...

1 Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— / for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

Titus 3:1
Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

Proverbs 8:15-16
By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; / By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.

Daniel 2:21
He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Daniel 4:32
You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.”

Jeremiah 27:5-7
By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please. / So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have even made the beasts of the field subject to him. / All nations will serve him and his son and grandson, until the time of his own land comes; then many nations and great kings will enslave him.

Ezra 7:24
And be advised that you have no authority to impose tribute, duty, or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.

Nehemiah 5:4
Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.

Genesis 41:39-40
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. / You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Exodus 18:21-22
Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. / Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you.


Treasury of Scripture

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

pay.

Ezra 4:13,20
Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings…

Ezra 6:8
Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expences be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.

Nehemiah 5:4
There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.

attending.

Romans 12:8
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Exodus 18:13-27
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening…

Deuteronomy 1:9-17
And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone: …

Jump to Previous
Account Attending Authorities Authority Care Cause Continually Devoting Energies Full God's Ministers Officers Pay Really Reason Rulers Servant Servants Service Taxes Tax-Gatherers Themselves Time Times Tribute Work
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Account Attending Authorities Authority Care Cause Continually Devoting Energies Full God's Ministers Officers Pay Really Reason Rulers Servant Servants Service Taxes Tax-Gatherers Themselves Time Times Tribute Work
Romans 13
1. Subjection, and many other duties, we owe to the authorities.
8. Love is the fulfillment of the law.
11. The acts of darkness are out of season in the time of the Gospel.














This is also why you pay taxes
The phrase begins with "This is also why," indicating a continuation of thought from the previous verses, which discuss submission to governing authorities. The Greek word for "pay" is "τελεῖτε" (teleite), which implies fulfilling an obligation or duty. In the historical context of the Roman Empire, taxes were a significant part of civic life, funding public services and infrastructure. From a conservative Christian perspective, paying taxes is seen as a moral duty, aligning with the biblical principle of respecting and supporting the institutions God has established for societal order.

For the authorities are God’s servants
The term "authorities" refers to governing bodies and officials. The Greek word "διάκονοι" (diakonoi) is used for "servants," which is often translated as "ministers" or "deacons" in other contexts. This suggests that those in authority are not merely political figures but are appointed by God to serve His purposes. Historically, this reflects the belief that all authority is derived from God, and thus, respecting and supporting these authorities is an act of obedience to God Himself. This perspective encourages Christians to view government officials as instruments of God's will, deserving of respect and cooperation.

who devote themselves to their work
The phrase "devote themselves" comes from the Greek "προσκαρτεροῦντες" (proskarterountes), meaning to persist or continue steadfastly. This implies a sense of dedication and commitment to their roles. The "work" refers to the responsibilities and duties of governance, which include maintaining order, justice, and the welfare of the community. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this dedication is seen as a reflection of God's order and purpose, encouraging believers to support and pray for their leaders as they carry out their God-given tasks. Historically, this aligns with the understanding that rulers are accountable to God for their actions and are expected to govern with integrity and righteousness.

(6) Ministers.--The words thus translated here and in Romans 13:4 are not the same, but both are words commonly used in the New Testament of a sacred office; that in Romans 13:4 is the original of our word "deacon," that used in this verse is (in another form) the original of our word "liturgy." The choice of such terms harmonises with the conception which is presented in this chapter of the divine origin and character of the state system.

Verse 6. - For for this cause ye pay (so, rather than, as in the Authorized Version, pay ye. The γὰρ suggests this interpretation. So in the Vulgate, ideo enim et tributa praestatis. The Christians, we may suppose, did pay all legal dues and taxes; it was a recognized principle that they were bound to do so; perhaps because of Christ himself having settled the question in his dictum about the tribute-money (Matthew 22:21). And what the apostle means may be that the same principle on which they paid their taxes extended to all legal requirements) tribute also: for they (i.e. the officers who exact tribute) are God's ministers (not, as in ver. 4, διακόνοι, but λειτουργοὶ. This word, with its correlatives, is used in the New Testament especially with reference to the ceremonial services of the temple, and to their counterpart in Christian devotion; but not exclusively so (see Romans 15:27; Philippians 2:25). In classical Greek it denotes peculiarly persons performing public duties, or works of public use. This well-known use of the word may have suggested it here, the apostle meaning to say that such as in any such way served the state were in fact serving God), attending continually upon this very thing; i.e. on λειτουργία for God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
This is also why
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

you pay
τελεῖτε (teleite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5055: (a) I end, finish, (b) I fulfill, accomplish, (c) I pay. From telos; to end, i.e. Complete, execute, conclude, discharge.

taxes.
φόρους (phorous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5411: A tax, tribute, especially on persons. From phero; a load, i.e. a tax.

For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

[the authorities] are
εἰσιν (eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

God’s
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

servants,
λειτουργοὶ (leitourgoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3011: From a derivative of laos and ergon; a public servant, i.e. A functionary in the Temple or Gospel, or a worshipper or benefactor.

who devote themselves
προσκαρτεροῦντες (proskarterountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4342: To persist, persevere in, continue steadfast in; I wait upon.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

[their work].
τοῦτο (touto)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.


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NT Letters: Romans 13:6 For this reason you also pay taxes (Rom. Ro)
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