Romans 13:4
Good News Translation
because they are God's servants working for your own good. But if you do evil, then be afraid of them, because their power to punish is real. They are God's servants and carry out God's punishment on those who do evil.

New Revised Standard Version
for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.

Contemporary English Version
After all, they are God's servants, and it is their duty to help you. If you do something wrong, you ought to be afraid, because these rulers have the right to punish you. They are God's servants who punish criminals to show how angry God is.

New American Bible
for it is a servant of God for your good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword without purpose; it is the servant of God to inflict wrath on the evildoer.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For he is God's minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God's minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

For he is God's minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God's minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.

he is.

Romans 13:6 For therefore also you pay tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving unto this purpose.

1 Kings 10:9 Blessed be the Lord thy God, whom thou hast pleased, and who hath set thee upon the throne of Israel, because the Lord hath loved Israel for ever, and hath appointed thee king, to do judgment and justice.

2 Chronicles 19:6 And charging the judges, he said: Take heed what you do: for you exercise not the judgment of man, but of the Lord: and whatsoever you judge, it shall redound to you.

Psalm 82:2-4 How long will you judge unjustly: and accept the persons of the wicked? . . .

Proverbs 24:23,24 These things also to the wise: It is not good to have respect to persons in judgment. . . .

Proverbs 31:8,9 Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass. . . .

Ecclesiastes 8:2-5 I observe the mouth of the king, and the commandments of the oath of God. . . .

Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge for the fatherless, defend the widow.

Jeremiah 5:28 They are grown gross and fat: and have most wickedly transgressed my words. They have not judged the cause of the widow, they have not managed the cause of the fatherless, and they have not judged the judgment of the poor.

Ezekiel 22:27 Her princes in the midst of her, are like wolves ravening the prey to shed blood, and to destroy souls, and to run after gains through covetousness.

Micah 3:1-4,9 For he shall go up that shall open the way before them: they shall divide and pass through the gate, and shall come in by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the Lord at the head of them. . . .

be.

Proverbs 16:14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man will pacify it.

Proverbs 20:2,8,26 As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul. . . .

revenger.

Romans 12:19 Revenge not yourselves, my dearly beloved; but give place unto wrath, for it is written: Revenge is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.

Numbers 35:19-27 The kinsman of him that was slain, shall kill the murderer: as soon as he apprehendeth him, he shall kill him. . . .

Joshua 20:5,9 And when the avenger of blood shall pursue him, they shall not deliver him into his hands, because he slew his neighbour unawares, and is not proved to have been his enemy two or three days before, . . .

Ezekiel 25:14 And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to my wrath, and my fury: and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord God.

Context
Submission to Authorities
3For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good: and thou shalt have praise from the same. 4For he is God's minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God's minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil. 5Wherefore be subject of necessity: not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake.…
Cross References
1 Thessalonians 4:6
And that no man overreach nor circumvent his brother in business: because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have told you before and have testified.

1 Peter 2:14
Or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of the good.

Romans 13:3
Top of Page
Top of Page