Romans 13:3
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.
2 Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.
4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.
5 Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.
- KJV
- For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
- WEB
- For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority,
- ASV
- For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:
- DARBY
- For rulers are not a terror to a good work, but to an evil [one]. Dost thou desire then not to be afraid of the authority? practise [what is] good, and thou shalt have praise from it;
- BLB
- For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Now do you want not to fear the authority? Do that which [is] good, and you will have praise from him.
- ÅB
- For de styrende er ikke til trussel for den som gjør det gode, men for den som gjør det onde. Vil du slippe å frykte for myndigheten? Gjør det gode, så skal du ha ros av den.
- OTB
- For herskere er ikke en årsak til frykt for dem som gjør godt, men for dem som gjør ondt. Ønsker du å være fri fra frykt for myndigheten? Gjør det som er rett, og du vil få ros.
- B1930
- For de styrende er ikke til redsel for den gode gjerning, men for den onde. Men vil du slippe å frykte for øvrigheten? Gjør det som godt er, så skal du ha ros av den;
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Ecclesiastes 10:4–6
If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
Read in contextProverbs 14:35
A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.
Read in contextProverbs 20:2
The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
Read in context1 Peter 2:13–14
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority,
Read in contextDeuteronomy 25:1
If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned.
Read in context1 Peter 3:13–14
Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
Read in contextJeremiah 22:15–18
Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him.
Read in contextRomans 13:4
For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.
Read in context