Romans 13:4
For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.
Updated King James Version
In The King James Version
In Context
5Wherefore all of you must essentially be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Cross References
Joshua 20:5And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he stroke his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not in time past.
1 Kings 10:9Blessed be the LORD your God, which delighted in you, to set you on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he you king, to do judgment and justice.
Psalms 82:2How long will all of you judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
Proverbs 20:2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provokes him to anger sins against his own soul.
Proverbs 20:26A wise king scatters the wicked, and brings the wheel over them.
Proverbs 31:8Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
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 →