That is, every person (see on Rom. 2:9; cf. on Ps. 16:10).

Gr. hupotassō, “to submit oneself.”“to be in subjection,” “to obey.”

 Literally, “authorities that have themselves over,” meaning “those who are set in authority over others.” See 1 Peter 2:13; cf. Luke 12:11; Titus 3:1 Throughout this section the word translated “power” (exousia) means “authority,” that is, power to rule or govern. It is to be distinguished from dunamis, also frequently translated “power” (see Rom. 1:16, 20; 1 Cor. 1:18), which means “strength,” “force,” “power [or “ability”] to perform.”

 That is, no human authority exists except by God’s permission and under His control. The OT often asserts that God sets up one and puts down another (see on Dan. 4:17; cf. ch. 2:21; 4:25, 34, 35).

Or, “the existing authorities.”

 The Greek words in vs. 1, 2 that are translated “be subject,” “ordained,” “resisteth” (the first occurrence), and “ordinance” are all built on the same root tassō, “to order,” “to arrange,” “to set.” This gives an antithetical force to the passage that cannot be fully represented in English.

 Paul does not imply in these verses that God always approves the conduct of civil governments. Nor does Paul mean that it is the Christian’s duty always to submit to them. The requirements of government may at times be contrary to the law of God, and under such circumstances the Christian is “to obey God rather than men” (Acts 4:19; 5:29). Paul’s point is that the ruling power of human governments is entrusted to men by God, according to His own purposes for man’s welfare. Their continuance in power, or their fall from authority, is in His hands. Therefore, the Christian will support the authority of the existing state. He will not presume to take it into his own hands to resist or to depose “the powers that be.”

 Such instruction was especially needful in Paul’s day, for at that time the Jews were in a turbulent mood and had already stirred up rebellion in various parts of the Roman Empire. For Christians to reveal a similarly unsubmissive spirit would have been to incur the same displeasure that was beginning to fall upon the Jews. It would also have resulted in their forfeiting the protection of the Roman state, which had often been a blessing to the early Christians, as Paul could testify from his own experience (see Acts 22:24-30). Furthermore, it would have brought reproach upon the Christian church and its message of peace and brotherly love. Therefore, Paul elsewhere urges believers to pray for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1, 2) and to obey them (Titus 3:1). Likewise Peter commands Christians to submit “to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake” (1 Peter 2:13-17).