Romans 13:4
For he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for he does not carry the sword for no reason. For he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath on the one who does evil.
Unlocked Literal Bible
In The King James Version
In Context
5Therefore you must obey, not only because of the wrath, but also because of conscience.
Cross References
Joshua 20:5If one of them comes to try to avenge the blood of the person who was killed, then the people of the city must not hand the one who killed him over to the authorities. They must not do this because he killed his neighbor unintentionally, and he had no hatred toward him in the past.
1 Kings 10:9May Yahweh your God be praised, who has taken pleasure in you, who placed you on the throne of Israel. Because Yahweh loved Israel forever, he has made you king, for you to do justice and righteousness!”
Psalms 82:2How long will you judge unjustly 1 and show favoritism to the wicked? Selah 1
Proverbs 20:2The fear of a king is like the fear of a young lion that is roaring; 1 the one who makes him angry forfeits his life. 1
Proverbs 20:26A wise king winnows the wicked 1 and he turns a threshing wheel over them. 1
Proverbs 31:8Speak for those who cannot speak, 1 for the causes of all who are perishing. 1
Matthew Henry on Romans 13:2-7
Obedience to Magistrates Enforced. ( a. d. 58.) 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 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: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee… Read the whole commentary →