Romans 13:4

Romans 13:4 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (NIV)For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
• English Standard Version (ESV)for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.
• New King James Version (NKJV)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.

Context of Romans 13:4

2So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment 3(for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation, for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God’s servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience. 6For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants devoted to governing.

Romans 13:4 word by word

θεοῦ γὰρ διάκονός ἐστιν σοὶ εἰς τὸ ἀγαθόν. ἐὰν δὲ τὸ κακὸν ποιῇς, φοβοῦ· οὐ γὰρ εἰκῇ τὴν μάχαιραν φορεῖ. θεοῦ γὰρ διάκονός ἐστιν ἔκδικος εἰς ὀργὴν τῷ τὸ κακὸν πράσσοντι.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• he isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• the ministerδιάκονοςdiakonos · servantG1249
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• to theeσύsu · youG4771
• forεἰςeis · towardG1519
• goodὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• goodἀγαθόςagathos · goodG18
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• thou doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• that which is evilκακόςkakos · evil/harm: evilG2556
• be afraidφοβέωphobeō · to fearG5399
• he bearethφορέωphoreō · to wearG5409
• notοὐou · noG3756
• the swordμάχαιραmachaira · swordG3162
• in vainεἰκῇeikē · in vainG1500
• a revengerἔκδικοςekdikos · avengingG1558
• wrathὀργήorgē · wrathG3709
• upon him that doethπράσσωprassō · to do/requireG4238

Cross-references for Romans 13:4

• Romans 13:6For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants devoted to governing.
• 1 Kings 10:9May the Lord your God be praised because he favored you by placing you on the throne of Israel! Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he made you king so you could make just and right decisions.”
• 2 Chronicles 19:6He told the judges, “Be careful what you do, for you are not judging for men, but for the Lord, who will be with you when you make judicial decisions.
• Psalms 82:2He says, “How long will you make unjust legal decisions and show favoritism to the wicked? (Selah)
• Proverbs 24:23These sayings also are from the wise: To show partiality in judgment is terrible:
• Proverbs 31:8Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying.
• Ecclesiastes 8:2Obey the king’s command, because you took an oath before God to be loyal to him.
• Isaiah 1:17Learn to do what is right! Promote justice! Give the oppressed reason to celebrate! Take up the cause of the orphan! Defend the rights of the widow!
• Jeremiah 5:28That is how they have grown fat and sleek. There is no limit to the evil things they do. They do not plead the cause of the fatherless in such a way as to win it. They do not defend the rights of the poor.
• Ezekiel 22:27Her officials are like wolves in her midst rending their prey – shedding blood and destroying lives – so they can get dishonest profit.
• Micah 3:1I said, “Listen, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the nation of Israel! You ought to know what is just,
• Proverbs 16:14A king’s wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.
• Proverbs 20:2The king’s terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself.
• Romans 12:19Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
• Numbers 35:19The avenger of blood himself must kill the murderer; when he meets him, he must kill him.
• Joshua 20:5When the avenger of blood comes after him, they must not hand over to him the one who committed manslaughter, for he accidentally killed his fellow man without premeditation.

Commentaries on Romans 13:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good - Here the apostle puts the character of the ruler in the strongest possible light. He is the minister of God - the office is by Divine appointment: the man who is worthy of the office will act in conformity to the will of God: and as the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears open to their cry, consequently the ruler will be the minister of God to them for good. He beareth not the sword in…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4The minister of God - The “servant” of God he is appointed by God to do his will, and to execute his purposes. “To thee.” For your benefit. For good - That is, to protect you in your rights; to vindicate your name, person, or property; and to guard your liberty, and secure to you the results of your industry. The magistrate is not appointed directly to “reward” people, but they “practically” furnish a reward by protecting and defending them, and securing…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4Servant: The New Testament often uses this Greek word (diakonos) to describe Christians serving God in different roles. In non-religious Greek, diakonos can also refer to a city official. A government and its leaders serve God by administering justice, whether they realize it or not. he does not carry the sword in vain: Here, the sword might be a metaphor for any punishment. Some interpreters believe it means human governments, under God's authority, have…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3-43-4. For rulers are not a terror to good works--"to the good work," as the true reading appears to be but to the evil.Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 13:4

• Government
• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Chamber
• Chambering
• Comprehend
• Custom
• Fear
• Near
• Owe
• Sword

Commentaries on Romans 13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings