Apostol § 111

Brethren, Let every soul be subject unto the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are ordained by God. Therefore whosoever resists the authorities, resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring damnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” ‘Thou shalt not kill,” Thou shalt not steal,” “Thou shalt not bear false witness,” “Thou shalt not covet,” and any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.