Romans 13:4
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 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:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- 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.
- KJV
- For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
- WEB
- for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
- ASV
- for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil.
- DARBY
- for it is God's minister to thee for good. But if thou practisest evil, fear; for it bears not the sword in vain; for it is God's minister, an avenger for wrath to him that does evil.
- BLB
- For he is God’s servant 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 servant, an avenger for wrath to the one practicing evil.
- ÅB
- For den er Guds tjener, til ditt beste. Men hvis du gjør det onde, frykt! Den bærer ikke sverdet forgjeves. Den er Guds tjener, en hevner som straffer den som gjør det onde.
- OTB
- For myndigheten er en Guds tjener til ditt beste. Men hvis du gjør ondt, frykt, for den bærer ikke sverdet forgjeves; den er en Guds tjener, en hevner til å bringe vrede over den som gjør ondt.
- B1930
- for den er Guds tjener, dig til gode. Men gjør du det som ondt er, da frykt! for den bærer ikke sverdet for intet; for den er Guds tjener, en hevner til straff over den som gjør det som ondt er.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Romans 12:19
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Read in context2 Chronicles 19:6
And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.
Read in contextProverbs 24:23–24
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
Read in contextProverbs 20:2
The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
Read in contextProverbs 16:14
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
Read in contextRomans 13:6
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Read in contextIsaiah 1:17
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Read in contextPsalms 82:2–4
How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
Read in context