# Is “The powers that be” in the Bible?

> Yes. “The powers that be” is in the Bible, at Romans 13:1.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-powers-that-be
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

Paul writes it to the church in Rome.

## The verse

> Every person must submit to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been put in place by God.
>
> — [Romans 13:1](https://www.lumin.faith/read/romans/13#1) (Lumin Translation)

These exact words are in the King James Bible. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here, and it words the verse differently.

## What it means there

It is the King James wording for the governing authorities. Paul tells Christians to submit to them, because authority comes from God.

## Common questions

### Is “The powers that be” in the Bible?

Yes. “The powers that be” is in the Bible, at Romans 13:1. These exact words are in the King James Bible. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here, and it words the verse differently. Paul writes it to the church in Rome.

### Where in the Bible is “The powers that be”?

In Romans 13:1. In the Lumin Translation, Romans 13:1 reads: “Every person must submit to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been put in place by God.”

### Who said “The powers that be”?

Paul writes it to the church in Rome.

### What does “The powers that be” mean in the Bible?

It is the King James wording for the governing authorities. Paul tells Christians to submit to them, because authority comes from God.

## More

- [Is “Set your house in order” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/set-your-house-in-order.md)
- [Is “This is the day the Lord has made” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/this-is-the-day-the-lord-has-made.md)
- [Is “Vengeance is mine” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/vengeance-is-mine.md)
- [Is “You reap what you sow” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/you-reap-what-you-sow.md)
- [Where is “Do not be anxious about anything” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/do-not-be-anxious-about-anything.md)
- [Where is “With God all things are possible” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/with-god-all-things-are-possible.md)
- [Where is “Come to me, all who are weary” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/come-to-me-all-who-are-weary.md)
- [Where is “He heals the brokenhearted” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/he-heals-the-brokenhearted.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)