Neville Goddard on Romans 13:1-14 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Romans 13 in context

Scripture Focus

1Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

8Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Romans 13:1-14

Biblical Context

Authority flows from God and should be honored; resisting it harms conscience. It also calls us to do good, love our neighbor, and awaken to light by clothing ourselves in Christ-consciousness.

Neville's Inner Vision

Within the text there are no distant powers to fear; there is only God expressed as the order of consciousness within you. The I AM within you is the governor of all experience. The 'higher powers' you meet are not people or rulers apart from you, but states of awareness you have consented to, or can revise. To resist them is to resist the governing principle of your own life; to do good is to align with that principle and receive its praise as the natural consequence of your inner order. The ruler, calling to mind a 'minister of God,' is your inner law at work for your good, ensuring that you experience the consequences of your thoughts. Therefore, you owe nothing but love; love fulfills the entire law when you dwell in unity with your neighbor and with yourself. As you awaken, the night recedes and the day of your true salvation draws near; cast off the works of darkness by clothing yourself in the armor of light—awareness purified by love. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ by choosing the consciousness that you are that Christ now, and let no provision be made for the flesh. In this state, even outward 'power' becomes a friend guiding you toward righteousness.

Practice This Now

Assume the feeling of the I AM as the governor of my life and imagine all powers as inner orders working for my good. Revise any fear by affirming that God governs all and I walk in the light of Christ-consciousness.