6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
6 That's also why you pay taxes - so that an orderly way of life can be maintained.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 13:6
Commentary on Romans 13:1-7
(Read Romans 13:1-7)
The grace of the gospel teaches us submission and quiet, where pride and the carnal mind only see causes for murmuring and discontent. Whatever the persons in authority over us themselves may be, yet the just power they have, must be submitted to and obeyed. In the general course of human affairs, rulers are not a terror to honest, quiet, and good subjects, but to evil-doers. Such is the power of sin and corruption, that many will be kept back from crimes only by the fear of punishment. Thou hast the benefit of the government, therefore do what thou canst to preserve it, and nothing to disturb it. This directs private persons to behave quietly and peaceably where God has set them, 1 Timothy 2:1,2. Christians must not use any trick or fraud. All smuggling, dealing in contraband goods, withholding or evading duties, is rebellion against the express command of God. Thus honest neighbours are robbed, who will have to pay the more; and the crimes of smugglers, and others who join with them, are abetted. It is painful that some professors of the gospel should countenance such dishonest practices. The lesson here taught it becomes all Christians to learn and practise, that the godly in the land will always be found the quiet and the peaceable in the land, whatever others are.