Romans 13:4
he beareth not the sword in vain—that is, the symbol of the magistrate's authority to punish.
2 Therefore whoever resists athe authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will1 bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? aDo what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
4 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.
5 Therefore ayou must be subject, not only because of wrath bbut also for conscience’ sake.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.
7 aRender therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
| << Romans 13:3 | Romans 13:5 >> |
Romans 13:3-4
For rulers are not a terror to good works—"to the good work," as the true reading appears to be
but to the evil.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Romans 13:4:
Genesis 9:5
Proverbs 24:21-22
Zechariah 13:7
Romans 13:1-2
Romans 13:14
1 Timothy 2:2
| << Romans 13:3 | Romans 13:5 >> |
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