Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Submitting To Authority?

7 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Submitting To Authority in the Bible

What does the Bible say about submitting to authority? Browse 8 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.

7
Total Verses
1
Old Testament
6
New Testament

Top 7 Verses About Submitting To Authority

  1. 1
    Deuteronomy 28:1
    And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
    KJV
  2. 2
    Acts 5:29
    Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Romans 12:2
    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
    KJV
  4. 4
    Romans 13:1
    Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. ordained: or, ordered
    KJV
  5. 5
    Titus 3:1
    Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
    KJV
  6. 6
    Hebrews 13:17
    Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. have: or, guide
    KJV
  7. 7
    James 4:17
    Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Submitting To Authority? (1 Verses)

And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Submitting To Authority? (6 Verses)

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. ordained: or, ordered
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. have: or, guide
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Submitting To Authority

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about submitting to authority. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about submitting to authority and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about submitting to authority is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on submitting to authority needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about submitting to authority with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about submitting to authority, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Submitting To Authority?

You have studied 7 verses about submitting to authority. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about submitting to authority?
What does the Bible say about submitting to authority? Browse 8 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme. The Bible contains 7 key verses about submitting to authority spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about submitting to authority are there?
There are 7 key Bible verses about submitting to authority compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about submitting to authority?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about submitting to authority is Deuteronomy 28:1 — "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I comm..."
Where in the Bible does it talk about submitting to authority?
Submitting To Authority is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 7 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

Continue Studying Submitting To Authority