John Calvin Commentary Romans 13:5

"Wherefore [ye] must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience` sake." — Romans 13:5 (ASV)

It is therefore necessary, etc. What he had at first commanded regarding obedience to magistrates, he now briefly repeats, but with an addition: we ought to obey them, not only out of necessity arising from human authority, but because in doing so we obey God.

For by wrath he means the punishment which the magistrates inflict for contempt of their dignity; as if he had said, “We must not only obey because we cannot resist the powerful and those armed with authority with impunity, as injuries that cannot be repelled are usually endured; but we ought to obey willingly, as conscience through God’s word so binds us.”

Even if the magistrate were disarmed, so that we could provoke and despise him with impunity, yet such a thing should no more be attempted than if we saw punishment suspended over us. For it is not for a private individual to remove authority from him whom the Lord has set in power over us.

This entire discussion concerns civil government. Therefore, it is futile for those who would exercise dominion over consciences to attempt, on this basis, to establish their sacrilegious tyranny.