Neville Goddard on Romans 13:1-4 - 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.

Romans 13:1-4

Biblical Context

Paul teaches that all powers are ordained by God and that resisting them resists that divine order. Rulers punish evil and praise the good, so live by what is good.

Neville's Inner Vision

Submission here is not outside obedience alone, but inner alignment with a fixed order in consciousness. The 'higher powers' are the states of discipline and harmony within you—the laws by which your life is governed. When you resist, you stir conflict in your own mind and imagine a world of enemies; when you yield to the inner governor, you feel secure because you recognize the one power that truly governs you: the I AM, your aware presence. The rulers are not tyrants but images of right cause and consequence that appear when you attend to good thoughts and actions. The 'minister of God to thee for good' is your awareness acting through clear judgment, correcting fear with love, and protecting your life by applying lawful inner order. If you cling to fear or defiance, you awaken wrath in your imagination; if you align with order, you experience praise, safety, and peace, for you have allowed your inner governor to execute your desires in harmony with universal law.

Practice This Now

Imaginative act: Close your eyes and assume you are already subject to the inner governor of your I AM. Feel the calm that comes with alignment and act from that certainty today.