Romans 13:1 - Exposition

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of (rather, from ) God: the powers that be are ordained of God . It is of God's ordering that there should be human governments and human laws. Without them there could be no order, security, or progress among mankind. Imperfect as they may often be, and in some instances oppressive and unjust, still they exist for a purpose of good, and form part of the Divine order for the government of the world. In this sense all are from God, and ordained of God; and in submitting to them we are submitting to God.