Romans 13:3

Romans 13:3 in other versions

• King James Version (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:
• English Standard Version (ESV)For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
• New King James Version (NKJV)For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
• New Living Translation (NLT)For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.

Context of Romans 13:3

1Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4For 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. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

Romans 13:3 word by word

οἱ γὰρ ἄρχοντες οὐκ εἰσὶν φόβος τῷ ἀγαθῷ ἔργῳ ἀλλὰ τῷ κακῷ. θέλεις δὲ μὴ φοβεῖσθαι τὴν ἐξουσίαν; τὸ ἀγαθὸν ποίει καὶ ἕξεις ἔπαινον ἐξ αὐτῆς·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• rulersὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• rulersἄρχωνarchōn · rulerG758
• areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• notοὐou · noG3756
• a terrorφόβοςphobos · fearG5401
• toἔργονergon · workG2041
• goodἀγαθόςagathos · goodG18
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• to the evilκακόςkakos · evil/harm: evilG2556
• Wilt thouθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• thenδέde · thenG1161
• notμήmē · notG3361
• be afraid ofφοβέωphobeō · to fearG5399
• the powerἐξουσίαexousia · authorityG1849
• doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• thou shalt haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• praiseἔπαινοςepainos · praiseG1868
• ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• the sameαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846

Cross-references for Romans 13:3

• Romans 13:4For 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.
• Deuteronomy 25:1When people have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty.
• Proverbs 14:35A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.
• Proverbs 20:2A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.
• Ecclesiastes 10:4If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest.
• Jeremiah 22:15“Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went well with him.
• 1 Peter 2:13Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,
• 1 Peter 3:13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?

Commentaries on Romans 13:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works - Here the apostle shows the civil magistrate what he should be: he is clothed with great power, but that power is entrusted to him, not for the terror and oppression of the upright man, but to overawe and punish the wicked. It is, in a word, for the benefit of the community, and not for the aggrandizement of himself, that God has entrusted the supreme civil power to any man. If he should use this to wrong, rob…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3For rulers - The apostle here speaks of rulers “in general.” It may not be “universally” true that they are not a terror to good works, for many of them have “persecuted” the good; but it is generally true that they who are virtuous have nothing to fear from the laws. It is “universally” true that the design of their appointment by God was, not to injure and oppress the good, but to detect and punish the evil. Magistrates, “as such,” are not a terror to…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3rulers are not a terror to good conduct: Paul presents a positive picture of governing authorities. He describes them according to the role God has given them. Paul does not discuss situations where rulers punish those who do good and reward those who do evil. Paul was aware of such situations. He knew them from the Old Testament and Jewish history, from the experience of Jesus and the other apostles, and from events in the Greco-Roman world. Here, Paul…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 13:3

• Citizens
• Government
• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• Chamber
• Chambering
• Comprehend
• Custom
• Fear
• Near
• Owe
• Sword
• Taxes
• Terror

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