Romans 13:4

for he is the minister of God to thee into good. But if thou doest evil, dread thou; for not without cause he beareth the sword, for he is the minister of God, venger into wrath to him that doeth evil. (for he is God’s servant for your own good. But if thou doest evil, fear thou; for not without cause he beareth the sword, for he is God’s servant, the avenger unto wrath of those who do evil.)

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

3For princes be not to the dread of good work (s), but of evil (works), (or For rulers or leaders should not be feared by those who do good works, but by those who do evil works). But wilt thou, that thou dread not power? Do thou (a) good thing, and thou shalt have (the) praising of it; [For why princes be not to the dread of good work (s), but of evil. Soothly wilt thou not dread power? Do good, and thou shalt have (the) praising of it;]

5And therefore by need be ye subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience.

Read all of Romans 13

Cross References

Joshua 20:5And when the venger of blood pursueth him, they of that city shall not betake him into the hands of the venger; for unwittingly he killed his neighbour (or for he killed his neighbour unwittingly, or unintentionally), and he is not proved (to be) his enemy before the second day either the third day.

1 Kings 10:9Blessed be thy Lord God, whom thou pleasedest, and hath set thee on the throne of Israel; for the Lord loved Israel without end, and hath ordained thee king, that thou shouldest do doom and rightfulness (or so that thou can give judgement and show uprightness).

Psalms 82:2How long deem ye (with) wickedness; and take the faces of sinners? ( And he saith, How long shall ye judge wickedly; and make exceptions for sinners?)

Proverbs 20:2As the roaring of a lion, so and the dread of a king (or and so the king’s wrath); he that stirreth him to ire, sinneth against his (own) soul.

Proverbs 20:26A wise king scattereth wicked men; and boweth a bow of victory, that is, a stone bow, over them.

Proverbs 31:8Open thy mouth for a dumb man, and open thy mouth for the causes of all sons that pass forth. (Speak thou for the dumb, and for the causes of all those who pass forth before thee.)

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 →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Romans 13:4