Romans 13:5-6 - This is also why you pay taxes

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.

Romans 13:5-6

Commentary

Believers must obey government not only because it is their civic duty, but because it is their spiritual duty before God. Paying taxes is the most obvious and universal expression of support for civil government.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Ro 13:5-6). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Taxes

Jesus explicitly taught that taxes are to be paid-even to the pagan Roman government (Matt. 22:17-21). He also set an example by willingly paying the temple tax (Matt. 17:24-27).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Ro 13:6). Nashville: Word Pub.

John 15:14-15 - You are my friends if you do what I command

You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

John 15:14-15

Commentary

Just as Abraham was called the "friend of God" (2 Chr. 20:7; James 2:23) because he enjoyed extraordinary access to the mind of God through God's revelation to him which he believed, so also those who follow Christ are privileged with extraordinary revelation through the Messiah and Son of God and, believing, become "friends" of God also. It was for His "friends" that the Lord laid down His life (v. 13; 10:11, 15, 17).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Jn 15:14). Nashville: Word Pub.