100 Bible Verses about Submission To Authority

Romans 13:1 ESV / 2,213 helpful votes

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.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 2,192 helpful votes

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

1 Peter 2:13 ESV / 1,997 helpful votes

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,

Romans 13:1-7 ESV / 1,922 helpful votes

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. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 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, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...

Titus 3:1 ESV / 1,870 helpful votes

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

Ephesians 5:21 ESV / 1,587 helpful votes

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Acts 5:29 ESV / 1,507 helpful votes

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

Romans 8:7 ESV / 1,439 helpful votes

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

Romans 13:2 ESV / 1,436 helpful votes

Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Romans 13:1-2 ESV / 1,299 helpful votes

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. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

John 19:11 ESV / 1,256 helpful votes

Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

Romans 13:1-14 ESV / 1,220 helpful votes

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. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 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, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...

Romans 13:4 ESV / 1,219 helpful votes

For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.

1 Peter 2:13-14 ESV / 1,198 helpful votes

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.

1 Peter 2:14 ESV / 1,177 helpful votes

Or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.

1 Peter 2:13-25 ESV / 1,157 helpful votes

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. ...

1 Peter 5:5 ESV / 1,095 helpful votes

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV / 1,090 helpful votes

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

1 Peter 2:15 ESV / 1,089 helpful votes

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

Matthew 22:21 ESV / 1,058 helpful votes

They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 1,026 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Romans 13:3 ESV / 1,024 helpful votes

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,

1 Peter 2:13-17 ESV / 1,011 helpful votes

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Colossians 3:22 ESV / 1,001 helpful votes

Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

John 19:10-11 ESV / 999 helpful votes

So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

1 Peter 2:19 ESV / 960 helpful votes

For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.

Titus 3:1-2 ESV / 917 helpful votes

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

James 4:7 ESV / 916 helpful votes

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Romans 13:5 ESV / 907 helpful votes

Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

Daniel 2:21 ESV / 907 helpful votes

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

Romans 12:1-21 ESV / 892 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ...

Romans 12:21 ESV / 873 helpful votes

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Daniel 4:17 ESV / 863 helpful votes

The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’

Proverbs 24:21-22 ESV / 837 helpful votes

My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

Matthew 28:18 ESV / 810 helpful votes

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Romans 13:7 ESV / 798 helpful votes

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

1 Peter 2:17 ESV / 796 helpful votes

Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Romans 12:10 ESV / 788 helpful votes

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

1 Peter 2:17-21 ESV / 773 helpful votes

Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

1 Peter 2:18-20 ESV / 757 helpful votes

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

Ephesians 5:22 ESV / 744 helpful votes

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 734 helpful votes

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

Ephesians 5:26 ESV / 729 helpful votes

That he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

1 Peter 5:5-7 ESV / 725 helpful votes

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

John 19:10 ESV / 704 helpful votes

So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?”

Proverbs 29:2 ESV / 698 helpful votes

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

James 1:25 ESV / 690 helpful votes

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Romans 13:6 ESV / 685 helpful votes

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

John 3:16-17 ESV / 677 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Acts 4:19 ESV / 673 helpful votes

But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,

1 Peter 2:1-25 ESV / 669 helpful votes

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ...

Luke 22:42 ESV / 644 helpful votes

Saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

1 Peter 2:23 ESV / 619 helpful votes

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

1 Peter 5:3 ESV / 615 helpful votes

Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

1 Corinthians 11:1-34 ESV / 605 helpful votes

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. ...

1 Peter 5:6 ESV / 594 helpful votes

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

1 Timothy 2:2 ESV / 594 helpful votes

For kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Colossians 3:18 ESV / 594 helpful votes

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Romans 13:14 ESV / 586 helpful votes

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Ephesians 5:22-33 ESV / 583 helpful votes

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ...

1 Peter 2:14-15 ESV / 574 helpful votes

Or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

1 Timothy 5:17 ESV / 571 helpful votes

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

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 570 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

1 Peter 3:5-6 ESV / 570 helpful votes

For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

Ephesians 5:23 ESV / 561 helpful votes

For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.

Romans 7:4 ESV / 556 helpful votes

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

Matthew 22:17 ESV / 548 helpful votes

Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

Colossians 3:22-25 ESV / 536 helpful votes

Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

1 Timothy 2:1 ESV / 535 helpful votes

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

1 Thessalonians 4:6 ESV / 521 helpful votes

That no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

Hebrews 5:8 ESV / 511 helpful votes

Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

Ephesians 5:11 ESV / 505 helpful votes

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 503 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Corinthians 14:34 ESV / 492 helpful votes

The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 490 helpful votes

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

John 8:32 ESV / 490 helpful votes

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Ephesians 6:5-8 ESV / 479 helpful votes

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.

1 Peter 2:18 ESV / 462 helpful votes

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.

Romans 12:1 ESV / 454 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Matthew 26:39 ESV / 430 helpful votes

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

1 John 4:1 ESV / 429 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Genesis 3:16 ESV / 419 helpful votes

To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 413 helpful votes

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Romans 12:14 ESV / 385 helpful votes

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Ephesians 5:24 ESV / 376 helpful votes

Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Ephesians 5:32 ESV / 374 helpful votes

This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

1 Peter 2:2 ESV / 372 helpful votes

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

Acts 4:18-20 ESV / 363 helpful votes

So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Matthew 22:37 ESV / 344 helpful votes

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Proverbs 24:21 ESV / 342 helpful votes

My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise,

Romans 6:22 ESV / 335 helpful votes

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

Ephesians 5:2 ESV / 325 helpful votes

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

1 Peter 2:3 ESV / 311 helpful votes

If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Ephesians 5:21-33 ESV / 311 helpful votes

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, ...

1 Peter 2:1 ESV / 305 helpful votes

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 299 helpful votes

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Ephesians 1:21 ESV / 285 helpful votes

Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Job 22:21 ESV / 268 helpful votes

“Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you.

Hebrews 13:2 ESV / 245 helpful votes

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

John 3:16 ESV / 234 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Suggest a Verse


Visit the Bible online to search for words if you don’t know the specific passage your’re looking for.