Footnote

b The Greek noun translated “high station,” hy·pe·ro·kheʹ, is related to the verb hy·pe·reʹkho. The word “superior” in “superior authorities” is derived from this same Greek verb, which adds to the evidence that the superior authorities are the secular authorities. The rendering of Romans 13:1 in The New English Bible, “Every person must submit to the supreme authorities,” is not correct. Humans “in high station” are not supreme, although they may be superior to other humans.