42 Bible Verses about Authority, of human institutions

Wherefore God, likewise, gave them up unto their hearts' lusts, unto uncleanness to defile their own bodies between themselves: which turned his truth unto a lie, and worshipped and served the creatures more than the creator, which is blessed forever, Amen. For this cause, God gave them up unto shameful lusts. For even their women did change the natural use unto the unnatural.

And when the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was increased upon the earth, and that all the imagination and thoughts of his heart was only evil continually,

In those days there was no king in Israel: but every man did what seemed him right.

For he is the minister of God, for thy wealth. But and if thou do evil, then fear: for he beareth not a sword for nought; but is the minister of God, to take vengeance on them that do evil.

Let every soul submit himself unto the authority of the higher powers. For there is no power, but of God. The powers that be, are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation.

For verily the blood of you, wherein your lives are, will I require: Even of the hand of all beasts will I require it, and of the hand of man and of the hand of every man's brother, will I require the life of man: so that he which sheddeth man's blood, shall have his blood shed by man again: for God made man after his own likeness.

He changeth the times and ages; he putteth down kings, he setteth up kings; he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and understanding to those that understand;

This errand of the watcher, is a commandment grounded and sought out, in the counsel of him that is most holy: to learn men for to understand, that the highest hath power over the kingdoms of men; and giveth them to whom it liketh him, and bringeth the very outcasts of men over them.'

O king, God the highest gave unto Nebuchadnezzar, thy father, the dignity of a king, with worship and honor: So that all people, kindreds and tongues stood in awe and fear of him, by reason of the high estate that he had sent him. For why? He slew whom he would; he smote, whom it pleased him. Again: whom he would, he set up; and whom he list, he put down. But because his heart was so proud, and his stomach set so fast unto wilfulness: he was deposed from his kingly throne, and his majesty was taken from him.read more.
He was shot out from among men, his heart was like a beast's heart, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: he was fain to eat grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven: till he knew, that the highest had power upon the kingdoms of men, and setteth over them, whom he list.

Jesus answered, "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given unto thee from above. Therefore he that delivered me unto thee, is more in sin."

Submit yourselves unto all manner ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be unto the King as unto the chief head;

Thus sayeth the LORD unto Cyrus his anointed, whom I have taken by the righthand, to subdue nations before him: I will loose the girdles of kings, that they shall open the gates before thy face, and not to shut their doors.

Lo, I will send out, and call for all the people that dwell in the North, sayeth the LORD, and will prepare Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon my servant, and will bring them upon this land, and upon all that dwell therein, and upon all the people that are about them, and will utterly root them out. I will make of them a wilderness, a mockage, and a continual desert.

And now will I deliver all these lands into the power of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant. The beasts also of the field shall I give him to do him service.

and say unto them, 'Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts the God of Israel: Behold, I will send and call for Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon my servant, and will set his seat upon these stones that I have hid, and he shall spread his tent over them.

And even for this cause pay ye tribute. For they are God's ministers, serving for the same purpose.

for kings, and for all that are in authority that we may live a quiet and a peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.

other unto rulers, as unto them that are sent of him, for the punishment of evil doers: but for the laud of them that well do.

Let every soul submit himself unto the authority of the higher powers. For there is no power, but of God. The powers that be, are ordained of God.

Tell us, therefore, how thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why tempt ye me ye hypocrites? Let me see the tribute money." And they took him a penny.read more.
And he said unto them, "Whose is this image and superscription?" They said unto him, "Caesar's." Then said he unto them, "Give therefore to Caesar, that which is Caesar's: and give unto God, that which is God's."

And as soon as they were come, they said unto him, "Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: For thou considerest not the degree of men, but teachest the way of God truly: Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar, or not? Ought we to give, or ought we not to give?" He understood their dissimulation, and said unto them, "Why tempt ye me? Bring me a penny, that I may see it." And they brought him one. And he said unto them, "Whose is this image and superscription?" And they said unto him, "Caesar's."read more.
And Jesus answered, and said unto them, "Then give to Caesar that which belongeth to Caesar: and give to God that which pertaineth to God." And they marveled at him.

Is it lawful for us to give Caesar tribute, or no?" He perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, "Why tempt ye me? Show me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it?" They answered and said, "Caesar's."read more.
And he said unto them, "Give then unto Caesar, that which belongeth unto Cesar: And to God, that which pertaineth to God."

Wherefore ye must needs obey, not for fear of vengeance only: but also because of conscience. And even for this cause pay ye tribute. For they are God's ministers, serving for the same purpose. Give to every man therefore his duty: Tribute to whom tribute belongeth: Custom to whom custom is due: fear to whom fear belongeth: Honour to whom honour pertaineth.

Warn them, that they submit themselves to rule and power, to obey the officers, that they be ready unto all good works,

Submit yourselves unto all manner ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be unto the King as unto the chief head; other unto rulers, as unto them that are sent of him, for the punishment of evil doers: but for the laud of them that well do.

My son, fear thou the LORD and the king, and keep no company with them that slide back from his fear:

Give to every man therefore his duty: Tribute to whom tribute belongeth: Custom to whom custom is due: fear to whom fear belongeth: Honour to whom honour pertaineth.

See that ye honour all men. Love brotherly fellowship, fear God, and honour the King.

But Peter and John answered unto them and said, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to obey you more than God, judge ye.

Notwithstanding, the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them: but saved the men children.

But Naboth said to Ahab, "The LORD forbid that from me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee."

And if he will not, yet shalt thou know, O king, that we will not serve thy Gods, nor do reverence to the Image which thou hast set up."

So they came to the king, and spake before him concerning his commandment, saying, "O king, hast thou not subscribed the statute, that within thirty days whoso requireth his petition of any god or man, but only of thyself, O king, he shall be cast into the den of the lions?" The king answered, and said, "It is true. It must be as a law of the Medes and Persians, that may not be broken."

They said unto him, "Caesar's." Then said he unto them, "Give therefore to Caesar, that which is Caesar's: and give unto God, that which is God's."

And Jesus answered, and said unto them, "Then give to Caesar that which belongeth to Caesar: and give to God that which pertaineth to God." And they marveled at him.

And he said unto them, "Give then unto Caesar, that which belongeth unto Cesar: And to God, that which pertaineth to God."

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his father and mother, because they saw he was a proper child: neither feared they the king's commandment.

I exhort therefore that above all things, prayers, supplications, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be had for all men: for kings, and for all that are in authority that we may live a quiet and a peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.

but seek after peace and prosperity of the city wherein ye be prisoners, and pray unto God for it. For in the peace thereof, shall your peace be.

And when it was day, the officers sent the ministers saying, "Let those men go." The keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, "The officers have sent word to loose you. Now therefore get you hence and go in peace." Then said Paul unto them, "They have beaten us, openly un-condemned, for all that we are Romans, and have cast us into prison: and now would they send us away privily? Nay not so, but let them come themselves and fetch us out."read more.
When the ministers told these words unto the officers, they feared when they heard that they were Romans; and came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

They gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth: it is pity that he should live." And as they cried and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, the captain bade him to be brought into the castle: and commanded him to be scourged, and to be examined, that he might know wherefore they cried on him.read more.
And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman and uncondemned?" When the centurion heard that, he went to the upper-captain, and told him saying, "What intendest thou to do? This man is a citizen of Rome." Then the upper-captain came to him, and said, "Tell me, art thou a Roman?" He said, "Yea." And the high captain answered, "With a great sum obtained I this freedom." And Paul said, "I was freeborn." Then straightway departed from him they which should have examined him. And the high captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman: because he had bound him.

When Festus was come into the province, after three days, he ascended from Caesarea unto Jerusalem. Then informed him the high priests, and the chief of the Jews, of Paul. And they besought him, and desired favour against him that he would send for him to Jerusalem, and laid wait for him in the way to kill him.read more.
Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea: but that he himself would shortly depart thither. "Let them therefore," said he, "which among you are able to do it come down with us and accuse him, if there be any fault in the man." When he had tarried there more than ten days he departed unto Caesarea, and the next day sat down in the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. When he was come, the Jews which were come from Jerusalem came about him and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul: which they could not prove as long as he answered for himself, that he had neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar offended anything at all. Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, "Wilt thou go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?" Then said Paul, "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews have I no harm done, as thou verily well knowest. If I have hurt them, or committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die. If none of these things are, whereof they accuse me, no man ought to deliver me to them. I appeal unto Caesar." Then spake Festus with deliberation, and answered, "Thou hast appealed unto Caesar: unto Caesar shalt thou go."