What does the Bible say about authority?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• Matthew 28:18

  Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

• Romans 13:1

  Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.

• Luke 10:19

  Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.

• Acts 5:29

  But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.

• Hebrews 13:17

  Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.

• 1 Timothy 5:17

  Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

• 1 Peter 2:18-20

  [18] Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked. [19] For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. [20] For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.

• 2 John 1:9

  Whoever transgresses and doesn't remain in the teaching of Christ, doesn't have God. He who remains in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son.

• Romans 13:1-7

  [1] Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. [2] Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. [3] For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same, [4] for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn't bear the sword in vain; for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. [5] Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake. [6] For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually on this very thing. [7] Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.

• 1 Peter 2:13

  Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme;

Related topics

• pastors authority in the church
• its own authority
• authority over your children
• all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth
• submitting to authority
• submission to human authority
• spiritual authority