ἀπόδοτε πᾶσι τὰς ὀφειλάς, τῷ τὸν φόρον τὸν φόρον, τῷ τὸ τέλος τὸ τέλος, τῷ τὸν φόβον τὸν φόβον, τῷ τὴν τιμὴν τὴν τιμήν
Romans 13:7 continues Paul’s exhortation on submission to governing authorities. The Greek is rhythmic, almost liturgical, repeating both syntax and vocabulary for emphasis. Paul names specific civic and relational obligations, structuring the verse around a pattern of repetition that reflects order and accountability.
Grammatical Foundations
The imperative ἀπόδοτε is aorist active, 2nd person plural, from ἀποδίδωμι, meaning “render,” “give back,” or “pay what is owed.” The object is τὰς ὀφειλάς (debts or obligations), and the dative plural πᾶσι (“to all”) establishes that no one is exempt from the principle.
Then follows a sequence of four parallel dative phrases, each using the article with a noun and repeating it as the object:
- τῷ τὸν φόρον τὸν φόρον — to the one who is due the tax, the tax.
- τῷ τὸ τέλος τὸ τέλος — to the one who is due the toll/customs, the toll.
- τῷ τὸν φόβον τὸν φόβον — to the one to whom fear (respect) is due, fear.
- τῷ τὴν τιμὴν τὴν τιμήν — to the one to whom honor is due, honor.
This doubling pattern is elegant and forceful. The structure is: dative article + accusative noun (repeated), with each phrase expressing the recipient and the corresponding obligation. The repetition emphasizes clarity, exactness, and equity in dealings with others, particularly authorities.
Exegetical and Theological Implications
Paul does not isolate civic duties from spiritual ones. The pairing of “tax” with “respect,” and “customs” with “honor,” reminds the reader that submission to authority is not merely financial—it includes attitude and posture. The Greek makes no distinction in structure between tax and honor: both are owed, both must be rendered.
By using the same grammatical pattern throughout, Paul eliminates ambiguity. There is no picking and choosing. Whether the obligation is material (φόρος, τέλος) or relational (φόβος, τιμή), all must be fulfilled. This echoes Jesus’ command in Matthew 22:21—”Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Linguistic and Historical Perspectives
φόρος refers to direct taxes or tributes imposed by Roman authorities. τέλος usually refers to tolls or indirect taxes—like customs duties. φόβος here likely means reverential respect, not fear in the emotional sense. τιμή (honor) includes respect, esteem, and even ceremonial recognition.
The rhetorical form used here—parallelism and anaphora (repetition at the beginning of clauses)—was common in both Greek and Hebrew styles, and its use in a Roman context lends legal and ethical weight to Paul’s instruction. The structure would have caught the ear of the original audience.
Table: Syntactical and Lexical Features in Romans 13:7
| Text | Greek Phrase | Form | Function / Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romans 13:7 | ἀπόδοτε | Aorist active imperative, 2nd person plural | “Render” or “give back”; a command to fulfill what is owed |
| Romans 13:7 | τῷ τὸν φόρον τὸν φόρον | Dative + accusative repetition | Pay taxes to the one owed; clarity through repetition |
| Romans 13:7 | τῷ τὸ τέλος τὸ τέλος | Same structure as above | Render tolls or dues |
| Romans 13:7 | τῷ τὸν φόβον τὸν φόβον | Parallel repetition | Give reverence where reverence is due |
| Romans 13:7 | τῷ τὴν τιμὴν τὴν τιμήν | Parallel repetition | Render honor to whom honor is owed |
The Verse as a Paradigm of Koine Greek Richness
Romans 13:7 is a masterclass in rhetorical balance. The symmetry of the clauses, the repetition of dative and accusative forms, and the variation in the types of obligations all show Paul’s linguistic discipline. He doesn’t just call for obedience—he calls for precise and comprehensive justice. Through clear structure and repetition, the Greek invites believers to live responsibly in society, honoring both law and dignity.
