What Does Romans 13:1 Mean in the King James?

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.

Romans 13:1 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The Greek root behind both “be subject” and “ordained” is ⁨τάσσω⁩ (tassō, “to arrange or place”), so the verse frames authority as a position within an order.

THE MEANING

Your living soul stands within an order of authority whose source is God. The verse places human authority within that order; authority is received and placed, not self-originating.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that power becomes ultimate merely because someone holds it.

THE ROOT

τεταγμέναι

tetagmenai

GROWS FROM

τάσσω

tassō

To arrange, assign, or place in order.

English separates “be subject” from “ordained,” but the Greek binds them through ⁨τάσσω⁩ (tassō, “arrange or place”): ⁨ὑποτάσσω⁩ (hypotassō, “arrange under”) opens the verse, while ⁨τεταγμέναι⁩ (tetagmenai, “having been appointed or ordered”) states where authority comes from. The living soul stands within an order whose authorities are themselves placed within God’s ordering.

ALSO GROWS

hypotassō: Arrange under; be subject.

ὑποτάσσω

This is the verb behind “be subject” at the verse’s opening, joining subjection to the same root as ordaining.

diatassō: Arrange, direct, or appoint.

διατάσσω

This related verb shows how the root can describe an order being laid out or directed.

THE PATTERN

Authority is received and placed; it does not establish itself as its own source.

And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

Daniel 2:21 · KJVThe rise and removal of kings are shown as belonging to a source beyond their own power.

Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

John 19:11 · KJVPower is described as something given from above, not something its holder originates.

But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Psalm 75:7 · KJVAuthority shifts because its placement rests with God.

THE THREAD

Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

Hebrews 2:8 · KJV

“Put in subjection” uses ⁨ὑποτάσσω⁩ (hypotassō, “arrange under”), the same verb family that opens Romans 13:1. Romans places governing authority within God’s order; Hebrews extends that ordering to all things.

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