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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.

Context of Romans 13:4

2Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For 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. 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. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time 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 13:6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.
• 1 Kings 10:9Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.”
• 2 Chronicles 19:6He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict.
• Psalms 82:2“How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?
• Proverbs 24:23These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good:
• Proverbs 31:8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
• Ecclesiastes 8:2Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God.
• Isaiah 1:17Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
• Jeremiah 5:28and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not seek justice. They do not promote the case of the fatherless; they do not defend the just cause of the poor.
• Ezekiel 22:27Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.
• Micah 3:1Then I said, “Listen, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of Israel. Should you not embrace justice,
• Proverbs 16:14A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it.
• Proverbs 20:2A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.
• Romans 12:19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
• Numbers 35:19The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death; when the avenger comes upon the murderer, the avenger shall put the murderer to death.
• Joshua 20:5If the avenger of blood comes in pursuit, the elders must not surrender the fugitive, because the fugitive killed their neighbor unintentionally and without malice aforethought.

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